New takes on Chaucer, the Bible and African trading - Rana Mitter presents the first of 2 prograrmmes featuring 3 of the historians shortlisted for this year's history writing prize.

Marion Turner has written Chaucer: A European Life
Toby Green is the author of A Fistful of Shells: West Africa from the Rise of the Slave Trade to the Age of Revolution
John Barton is nominated for A History of the Bible: The Book and Its Faiths

A second programme will be broadcast on Tues May 19th hearing from the other shortlisted authors
David Abulafia The Boundless Sea: A Human History of the Oceans
Hallie Rubenhold The Five: The Untold Lives of the Women Killed by Jack the Ripper
Prashant Kidambi Cricket Country: An Indian Odyssey in the Age of Empire

The winner of the 2020 Wolfson History Prize is announced on June 15th 2020.

Producer: Robyn Read