The longlist for this year’s BBC Samuel Johnson Prize for Non-fiction has been announced and includes Peter Hessler’s engaging account of his travels through China, Country Driving.

Hessler, the Beijing correpondent for the New Yorker from 2001 to 2007, takes us on a guided tour of the roads less travelled though China. With eloquence and wit Hessler tells the story of a nation modernising at great pace, and of ordinary Chinese caught up in that modernisation.

‘Hessler again proves himself America’s keenest observer of the New China.’ Publishers Weekly

The shortlist of up to six titles will be revealed in late May. The winner will be announced in July, taking home £20,000, while each of the five shortlisted authors takes home £1,000.