Birmingham City University professor wins prestigious book award

Award-winning author and Birmingham City University (BCU) academic Professor Islam Issa has collected another top accolade.

His hugely successful book, Alexandria: The City That Changed the World, has won the prestigious Anglo-Hellenic League Runciman Award recognising the best works in English exploring Greece and Hellenism which is the world of Ancient Greece.

“It’s a huge honour” said Dr Issa, Professor of Literature and History at BCU, “I’m delighted that Alexandria has proven to be a such an instant critical success.”

Alexandria: The City that Changed the World has already been named a ‘Book of the Year’ by The Times, Sunday Times, Times Literary Supplement, Waterstones, and the American Library Association’s Booklist Magazine.

The book, illuminating the history of one of the first great modern civilisations, was selected from a shortlist of six other works.

“While writing Alexandria, I realised how special the book would become – to me as I went on a journey of self-discovery, to generations of people linked to the city and its culture, and to individuals for whom Alexandria remains a part of the imagination,” said Prof. Issa, who is also a successful broadcaster and curator.

“I continue to receive correspondences on a daily basis, some moved by its story and others who have recognised aspects of themselves in it.”

Professor Issa received his latest prize at a ceremony at the Great Hall of King’s College London this week (17th June 2024). The event was attended by the Anglo-Hellenic League’s Chief Patron & President, HRH Prince Michael of Kent.

“It’s a magnificent achievement” said the Chair of the Council of the League, John Kittmer.

“Congratulations from all of us at the League to Islam Issa, the worthy winner of the Runciman Award 2024.

“Hellenism has always existed alongside other cultures – nowhere more so than in Alexandria, the great entrepot founded by Alexander the Great.

“Islam Issa’s winning book tells the story of this great city in all its richness and complexity.”