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BBC Radio 4 is a radio channel that started transmitting on the 30th September 1967. It replaced BBC Home Service.

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Book of the Week

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Serialised book readings, featuring works from various genres

Serialised book readings, featuring works of non-fiction, biography, autobiography, travel, diaries, essays, humour and history

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Book of the Week: Peter Snow - When Britain Burned the White House

Jamie Parker

Peter Snow

David Roper

Book of the Week: Peter Snow - When Britain Burned the White House: Episode 5

Factual: History

When Britain Burned the White House

Episode 5

Peter Snow - When Britain Burned the White House

BBC Radio 4 - Book of the Week, Peter Snow - When Britain Burned the White House, Episode 5

When the British assault fails, a famous poem is written to celebrate American victory.

When the British assault on Baltimore fails, they retreat, and a very famous poem is written to celebrate American victory - 'The Star Spangled Banner'. Read by Jamie Parker.

Nearly 200 years ago, Britain attacked the heartland of the United States. The President and his wife had just enough time to pack their belongings and flee the White House before the British army entered and set fire to the building. From here, the British army turned its sights to Baltimore.

Peter Snow tells the story of this extraordinary confrontation between Britain and the United States, the outcome of which inspired America's national anthem. Using eyewitness accounts, Peter describes the colourful personalities on both sides of this astonishing battle - from Britain's fiery Admiral Cockburn, to the cautious but widely popular army commander Robert Ross and the beleaguered President James Madison whose nation was besieged by a greater military force.

In the final episode, the British attack on Baltimore has failed and they retreat to their ships. To celebrate victory, a young American poet Francis Scott Key writes a poem - The Star Spangled Banner.


Read by Jamie Parker

Producer: David Roper
A Heavy Entertainment production for BBC Radio 4.

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

Peter Snow tells the story of the 1814 confrontation between Britain and the United States

Peter Snow tells the story of the extraordinary confrontation between Britain and the United States almost 200 years ago. Read by Jamie Parker

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