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Great Lives

Discussion & Talk

Factual: Life Stories

Biographical series in which guests choose someone who has inspired their lives.

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Great Lives: George Orwell

George Orwell

BBC Radio 4 - Great Lives, George Orwell

Alan Johnson tells Matthew Parris about the impact George Orwell had on his life.

Former home secretary Alan Johnson chooses the writer George Orwell. With Jean Seaton and Matthew Parris. From 2012.

Whilst at school, a young Alan Johnson was given some money by a teacher and told to go and buy four copies of any book for the school library.

He headed down the Kings Road in Chelsea, stopping only for a sly cigarette along the way. 

Having already read 'Animal Farm', he picked 'Keep the Aspidistra Flying' and yearned for the life of lead character Gordon Comstock.

Former Home Secretary Alan Johnson tells  Matthew Parris, why Orwell was crucial to his education and political development. 

But he's surprised to learn that Orwell is not on the National Curriculum, and insists that Orwell would have hated ID cards. 

With Jean Seaton, Professor of Media History at the University of Westminster and Chair of the Orwell Prize.

Producers: Beatrice Fenton and Toby Field.

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in September 2012.

Intelligent speech, the most insightful journalism, the wittiest comedy, the most fascinating features and the most compelling drama and readings anywhere in UK radio.

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