This year's shortlist for the contemporary non-fiction prize includes literary biography, an account of shocking crimes in Victorian London and tales of two cities. The winner will be announced at the Savoy Hotel in London on Tuesday 14 June.

LIKE A FIERY ELEPHANT:
THE STORY OF BS JOHNSON
By Jonathan Coe. Published by Picador
Long-awaited biography of a passionate advocate for the avant-garde in both literature and film.
More about the book and author

STUART: A LIFE BACKWARDS
By Alexander Masters. Published by Fourth Estate
The turbulent life of a brilliant and difficult homeless man and alcoholic, told in reverse.
More about the book and author

MAXIMUM CITY:
BOMBAY LOST AND FOUND
By Suketu Mehta. Published by Headline Review
The story of Mumbai, told by a writer who returns to the city after 21 years' absence.

ISTANBUL: MEMORIES OF A CITY
By Orhan Pamuk. Published by Faber & Faber
Novelist Orhan Pamuk explores the city that has been his home for 50 years.

MATISSE THE MASTER
By Hilary Spurling. Published by Hamish Hamilton
A definitive two-volume biography, 15 years in the making, drawing on previously unavailable material.

THE ITALIAN BOY:
MURDER AND GRAVE-ROBBERY IN 1830S LONDON
By Sarah Wise. Published by Jonathan Cape
A series of shocking crimes in London's East End that led to controversial legislation.

The BBC Four Samuel Johnson Prize is open to the authors of all non-fiction books published in the UK, regardless of nationality. Each of the shortlisted authors receives £1,000, while the prize for the winner is £30,000