Dr. Siddhartha Mukherjee, the Indian-American cancer physician and renowned researcher, has achieved a remarkable feat with his latest book, ‘The Song of the Cell: An Exploration of Medicine and the New Human.’ This illuminating work has secured a coveted place on the longlist for the esteemed Baillie Gifford Prize for Non-Fiction in London, with a prize of £50,000 at stake. The book, among the 13 selected for the longlist, delves into the profound impact of cellular research on the field of medicine, showcasing how it has paved the way for groundbreaking treatments for conditions such as Alzheimer’s and AIDS.
The distinguished panel of judges has lauded this work as Dr. Mukherjee’s “most spectacular book yet,” a testament to his prowess in both medicine and writing.
Dr. Mukherjee’s literary journey includes other notable works such as ‘The Gene: An Intimate History,’ which soared to #1 on the New York Times bestseller list, and ‘The Emperor of All Maladies: A Biography of Cancer,’ which clinched the Pulitzer Prize for General Nonfiction in 2011. Beyond his literary achievements, Dr. Mukherjee holds the position of Associate Professor of Medicine at Columbia University. He boasts an impressive educational background, having graduated from Stanford University, the University of Oxford, and Harvard Medical School. His insightful articles have graced numerous esteemed publications, including Nature, The New England Journal of Medicine, Cell, The New York Times, and The New Yorker.
The path to the coveted prize continues, with the announcement of six finalists scheduled for October 8 during a live event at England’s annual Cheltenham Literature Festival. The ultimate winner of the Baillie Gifford Prize for Non-Fiction will be unveiled on November 16 at a grand ceremony to be held at the illustrious Science Museum in London.
Established in 1999, the Baillie Gifford Prize encompasses a wide spectrum of English non-fiction, covering topics ranging from current affairs, history, politics, and science to sport, travel, biography, autobiography, and the arts. Last year’s recipient of this esteemed prize was Katherine Rundell’s poetic biography, “Super-Infinite: The Transformations of John Donne.”