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Inglorious Isolation: A European's History of Britain

Inglorious Isolation: A European's History of Britain: Germany

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06/04/2016

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BBC Radio 4 - Inglorious Isolation: A European's History of Britain, Germany

German-born scientist Uta Frith gives her take on the history of Britain.

Developmental psychiatrist Uta Frith gives her take on Britain's history, from a German perspective in which scientific and intellectual history between the two nations looms large.

Developmental psychiatrist Uta Frith presents her take on the history of Britain - from a German perspective in which scientific and intellectual history between the two nations looms large.

In her own career, she was drawn to the Institute of Psychiatry in London by the presence of German-British psychologist Hans-Jürgen Eysenck, and the close academic connection between nations is exemplified by the figure of Lord Dahrendorf, the German-born political scientist who had the rare distinction of belonging to both the German and British parliaments.

But, as Uta and contributors explore, this relationship has historically become strained when the fundamental difference between the British and the German political mindset comes into play. As Winston Churchill and German Chancellor Konrad Adenauer grappled with what Europe meant in the wake of the devastation of World War II, the British isolationist perspective with a pragmatic rather than ideological commitment to the European Community rubbed up against Germany's position at the heart of Europe.

With contributions from German journalist and historian Thomas Kielinger; Daniel Kehlmann, international bestselling author of Measuring the World; and historian Professor Eugenio Biagini from the University of Cambridge.

Across this series, five mainland Europeans give their take on Britain's historical relationship with their home country - the historical moments and popular culture that have created the image of the Brit in the mind of continental Europeans. Dame Uta Frith is a German-born scientist, currently working at the Institute of Cognitive Neuroscience at University College London, and has pioneered research into autism and dyslexia.


Producer: Katherine Godfrey
A Whistledown production for BBC Radio 4.

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Continental Europeans give their views of Britain's relationship with their home country.

Five continental Europeans present personal views of the history of Britain's relationship with their home country.

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