A book about the rise of Nazi Germany - described as a work of "authentic historical genius" - tonight won The Samuel Johnson Prize, Britain's richest non-fiction literary award.
Michael Burleigh's The Third Reich: A New Historytook the annual award, worth £30,000, in what judges described as a "very close race".
The single volume work provides a radical re-examination of the Third Reich, setting the rise of Nazism in a European context.
The judges' chairman, BBC Political Editor Mr Andrew Marr, said: "In a very close race we felt in the end that here was something both urgent and magisterial and a book that as judges we wanted to read and recommend. It is a work of authentic historical genius."
The Samuel Johnson Prize for Non-Fiction is open to books in the area of current affairs, history, politics, science, sport, travel, biography, autobiography and the arts.
Now in its third year the prize is sponsored by an anonymous retired businessman and philanthropist.
The winning book was chosen from a shortlist of six, which were announced last month. Each of the shortlisted authors receives a cheque for £2,500.
Michael Burleigh, who is Distinguished Research Professor in Modern History at Cardiff University, is the author of six books, including The Racial State; and Ethics and Extermination.
- The Third Reich: A New History is published by Macmillan priced £25 in the UK.
PA