Press Release: Prizes and Awards
Ciderland By James Crowden Wins Andre Simon Award
Posted at 9:11PM Monday 16 Mar 2009
Corks pop for Ciderland by James Crowden at the Andre Simon Book Awards Birlinn Ltd. is delighted to announce that Ciderland by James Crowden has won the 2008 André Simon Book Award in the Drink category. James was presented with his prize of £2000 at a ceremony in London last night. The lavishly illustrated, full-colour book charts the development of cider and perry making in the West Country, from the sixteenth century monks to the diverse industry of today. James Crowden said, "I'm absolutely delighted, but the real heroes are the cider and perry makers who are continuing an ancient tradition of artisan skills in the West Country. Without them Ciderland just wouldn't have been possible." Hugh Andrew, Managing Director of Birlinn Ltd. said, "It is a pleasure to publish a book in which the passion of both the author and photographer shine through so completely. It is a fitting tribute to a great British industry. A well-deserved winner." James joins an illustrious list of past winners of the prize, including Hugh Johnson, Andrew Jefford and Jancis Robinson. 2008 saw a record number of entries for the prestigious and hotly-contested awards. Because of their wide remit, recipe books are judged alongside biographies and reference books making the final decision - which is not made until the afternoon of the awards ceremony itself – a very difficult one. The 2008 shortlist for the André Simon Book Award in the Drink category was: · Ciderland by James Crowden, Birlinn · Drink: A Cultural History of Alcohol by Iain Gately, Gotham Books - Penguin · Napa Wine: A History from Mission Days to Present by Charles Sullivan, Wine Appreciation Guild · Starbucked by Taylor Clark, Hodder & Stoughton The Awards are presented by the André Simon Memorial Fund in memory of André Louis Simon, the charismatic leader of the English wine trade for the first half of the 20th century and president of the Wine & Food Society for 33 years.
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