Captives and Companions: A History of Slavery and the Slave Trade in the Islamic World

“This is a history of slavery and the slave trade in the Islamic world. It goes back to the time of the Prophet and some of his more contentious teachings, which are still used to justify slavery today. It’s book-ended with reports of modern slavery in Mali. It’s a great, epic, sweeping history that takes us through 1500 years. The story is told with real panache. Marozzi will take us inside an Ottoman sultan’s harem. If you have many concubines, you also need to have many slaves to guard them, including eunuchs. One of the reasons why we, the judges, all liked it was that it took a certain amount of courage to write it. It’s obviously a tricky subject.” Read more...

The Best Nonfiction Books of 2025: The Baillie Gifford Prize Shortlist

Robbie Millen, Journalist