Other past winners have included Bill Bryson, Stephen Hawking and Chris McManus.

BBC: NEWS | Science/Nature | Electric book wins science prize

Mr Seitz follows a compatriot, Bill Bryson, on to the bestseller lists.

ECONOMIST: Where the power lies in Britain

He has acted in over 200 radio plays, read Bill Bryson's travel books and has won Sony Awards for radio acting and writing.

BBC: Last Updated: Thursday, 28 February 2008, 16:37 GMT

Bill Bryson's Down Under, which is probably the most widely read book on modern-day Australia, was a popular choice, and one that I would endorse.

BBC: Essential reading for new arrivals in Australia

The award is one of the major publishing events of the year in the UK. Previous winners have included Bill Bryson, Stephen J Gould, Roger Penrose, and Stephen Hawking.

BBC: Climate book is judges' hot pick

The Royal Society award is one of the major publishing events of the year in the UK. Previous winners have included Bill Bryson, Stephen J Gould, Roger Penrose and Stephen Hawking.

BBC: Prize for wonder of science past