Burleigh took five years to write his book

This single volume work is a radical re-examination of the Third Reich, which charts the rise of Nazi Germany, recreating life under a totalitarian dictatorship.

Mr Burleigh is Distinguished Research Professor in Modern History at Cardiff University.

'Magisterial'

He is the author of six books including The Racial State, Death and Deliverance: Euthanasia in Nazi Germany and Ethics and Extermination.

Marr said: "In a very close race we felt in the end that here was something both urgent and magisterial and a book that as judges we wanted to read and recommend.

"It is a work of authentic historical genius."

The other five shortlisted authors are awarded �2,500 each.

The book recreates life under a dictatorship

They included Richard Fortey for Trilobite; Graham Robb for Rimbaud and Simon Sebag Montefiore's The Life of Potemkin.

The Samuel Johnson prize is sponsored by an anonymous retired businessman and philanthropist.

It is open to books in the areas of current affairs, history, politics, science, sport, travel, biography, autobiography and the arts.