Witches, statues, God's body, the Ottomans, medieval church going and seventeenth century England as a "devil land" are the topics explored in this year's shortlisted books. Rana Mitter interviews the authors ahead of the announcement of the winning book on June 22nd.

The six books are:
The Ottomans: Khans, Caesars and Caliphs by Marc David Baer
The Ruin of All Witches: Life and Death in the New World by Malcolm Gaskill
Devil-Land: England Under Siege, 1588-1688 by Clare Jackson
Going to Church in Medieval England by Nicholas Orme
God: An Anatomy by Francesca Stavrakopoulou
Fallen Idols: Twelve Statues That Made History by Alex von Tunzelmann

Producer: Ruth Watts