Has the gilt rubbed off the golden age of science writing? And why has an award-winning writer turned his focus from scientific biography to political history? Graham Farmelo, who won the Costa biography award with his life of the quantum genius Paul Dirac, joins us to discuss his book about the "hidden" history of Winston Churchill and the nuclear bomb. He explains why Churchill's role in the history of atomic weapons should not be underestimated, introduces us to some of the eccentrics who briefed him, and tells how the term "atomic bomb" was invented by a novelist years before they even existed.
We also hear from Uta Frith, one of the panel judging the Royal Society's Winton prize for science writing, about the books on this year's longlist. And Guardian science writer Ian Sample – a former Winton shortlistee – explains why the last thing he wants to do when he's relaxing is read a book about science.
Do listen in and let us know your views. Thanks to ID7240057, frustratedartist, loumo, nilpferd and dylanwolf whose comments on great new science books fed into our discussion.
Reading list
Chuchill's Bomb by Graham Farmelo (Faber)
The Royal Society Winton prize longlist
Catch up with the latest science writing on the Guardian's Science Weekly podcast
