Francine Stock's history of the alluring yet elusive quality that is charisma.

This omnibus edition of the first five episodes moves from St Paul's coining of the word in the 1st century of the Christian Era right up the contemporary era, when charisma continues to be a powerful influence, not always for the good, in the fields of politics, banking and terrorism.

Along the way, she takes in early medieval mystics such as Margery Kempe and Joan of Arc; the Elizabethan belief in the so-called "Royal Touch" and its different manifestations today; the powerful healing claims of Franz Mesmer; and radical charismatic leaders from Garibaldi to Osama Bin Laden.

Reader: Simon Russell Beale
Producer : Beaty Rubens. Show less