FT and Schroders Business Book of the Year 2025 — the shortlist | FT #shorts

Key Concepts

• Book Award Shortlist
• Judging Criteria (CEO readability, test of time)
• Topicality (Technology, Tariffs, Sanctions, Economics)
• US-China Rivalry
• Technological Advancements
• Frameworks for understanding the present
• Historical narratives

Announcement of the Book Award Shortlist

The discussion centers around the announcement of the six finalists for this year's book award. The judges found it a particularly challenging year due to the high quality and relevance of the submissions.

Judging Criteria and Observations

• CEO Readability: A key criterion, as stated by one judge, is whether a book would be suitable to give to a CEO. This implies a focus on practical relevance, strategic insights, and clear communication of complex ideas.
• Test of Time: Another important consideration is whether the books will remain relevant and insightful in the long term. This is a concern given the rapid pace of current events, such as the initial nine months of the Trump presidency, which is not directly covered in depth by any of the shortlisted books.
• Topicality: The shortlist is described as "highly topical," covering a range of subjects including technology, tariffs, sanctions, and economics.

Dominance of Technology on the Shortlist

• Technology as a "Big Winner": Technology is identified as the most prominent theme among the shortlisted books.
• Specific Titles Mentioned:
  • "The Thinking Machine"
  • "The House of Huawei"
  • "How Progress Ends"
  • "Breakneck" (mentioned in relation to progress)
• US-China Rivalry and Technology: The US-China rivalry is strongly linked to technology, suggesting that technological competition is a significant aspect of this geopolitical dynamic.

Nature of the Shortlisted Books

The books on the shortlist are categorized into two main types:

1. Frameworks for the Present: Some books aim to explain the current moment and provide analytical frameworks for understanding it. Examples cited are "Breakneck" and "Abundance."
2. Historical Narratives: Other books focus on telling the story of how we arrived at the present situation.

Conclusion and Future Outlook

Despite the difficulty in selection, the speaker expresses confidence that the chosen books will "stand the test of time." The process of narrowing down the longlist to the shortlist was enjoyable, and the final decision is anticipated in December.

Synthesis/Conclusion

The 2023 book award shortlist is characterized by its high topicality, with technology emerging as a dominant theme, reflecting its significance in contemporary issues like the US-China rivalry. The judging process prioritized books that are not only relevant to current events and potentially useful for leaders (CEO readability) but also possess enduring value. The shortlisted works offer either frameworks for understanding the present or historical context for current developments. The judges are confident in the lasting impact of these selections, with the final winner to be announced in December.