Jens Beckert Nominated for German Non-Fiction Prize 2024

Jens Beckert has been nominated for the German Non-Fiction Prize 2024 for his book Selling the Future. 

The jury has shortlisted 8 titles for this year’s award out of some 225 books submitted by 115 publishers. The judges had the following to say about Beckert’s book: »With Selling the Future, Jens Beckert has delivered a daring and timely provocation for climate politics. This books does not indulge in the escapism of positive thinking or apocalyptic denunciation; it eschews the well-trodden paths of moralistic lifestyle choices and a blind trust in technology fed by a faith in markets. From a socioeconomically informed perspective, Beckert illustrates how our economic system often only externalises climate damage, amplifying social stress on the global scale. Given the lack of alternatives, there is a need for realism: a likely temperature increase of 2.5 to 3 degrees by the end of this century means we need stronger and more clearly explained investment, but it also means that we need to adapt. A book that will hopefully spark conversations – and action – among many readers from different social milieus and schools of thought.«

The prize is awarded by the Stiftung Buchkultur und Leseförderung des Börsenvereins des Deutschen Buchhandels (Foundation for Book Culture and the Promotion of Reading of the German Publishers and Booksellers Association), and is endowed with a total of €42,500. It recognises outstanding works of non-fiction that inspire social debate.

The winning title will be announced in Hamburg on 11 June 2024. The winner will receive €25,000, with the other seven nominees all receiving €2,500 each. The awards ceremony will be held in the Small Hall of the Elbphilharmonie concert hall.

For more information about Selling the Future, please contact the foreign rights manager for your region.