Professor Avi Shlaim wins 2024 PEN Hessell-Tiltman Prize

On Wednesday 27 November, at a ceremony held at the October Gallery in London, Professor Avi Shlaim was announced as the winner of the PEN Hessell-Tiltman Prize 2024.

The Emeritus Fellow of St Antony’s College was awarded the prize for his memoir, ‘Three Worlds: Memoirs of an Arab-Jew’ (Oneworld Publications, 2024). The book describes his family’s personal experience of fleeing Iraq to the new state of Israel, while offering a fresh perspective on the history of the once flourishing Jewish community in Iraq.

Praise from the judging panel

Chair Sharmilla Beezmohun, said: ‘A powerful and moving personal story providing a stunning new window on present-day politics. This tour-de-force of meticulous evidence-gathering and historical research, combined with elegant and evocative writing, is a page-turner which will live long in the minds of anyone who reads it.’

Professor Clare Anderson said: ‘I was captivated by this book, a moving account of lives in a complex world. This is essential reading in our global present.’

Dr Venetia Porter said: ‘This poignant and important book interweaves the author’s own history with that of the final decades of the Jewish community in Iraq. It provides a telling perspective on the violent and often bewildering politics of identity associated with the foundation of the state of Israel. An essential book for our times.’

Daniel Gorman, Director, English PEN, said: ‘We are honoured to award this year’s PEN Hessell-Tiltman Prize to Avi Shlaim for Three Worlds: Memoirs of an Arab-Jew. His incisive and deeply moving memoir masterfully intertwines personal and political histories, offering timely reflections that challenge us to reconsider identity, belonging, and the ties that shape us.’

The Pen Hessell-Tiltman Prize celebrates the best non-fiction book on any historical subject and is awarded each year by English PEN. One of the world’s oldest Human Rights organisations, English PEN protects freedom of expression for writers and their readers.