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Desert Island Discs

Castaway guests share the soundtrack of their lives.

Eight tracks, a book and a luxury: what would you take to a desert island? Guests share the soundtrack of their lives.

Desert Island Discs: Norman Lewis

03/08/1986

Norman Lewis

BBC Radio 4 - Desert Island Discs, Norman Lewis

Michael Parkinson's castaway is writer Norman Lewis

Michael Parkinson's castaway is writer Norman Lewis.

Norman Lewis has spent a lifetime travelling the world and writing about it. In conversation with Michael Parkinson, he recalls his curious upbringing in Wales with three maiden aunts, his travels in Cuba where he met Ernest Hemingway, and his love of Naples which led to his writing two books on the Mafia. He also chooses the eight records he would take to the mythical island.

[Taken from the original programme material for this archive edition of Desert Island Discs]

Favourite track: Petrushka by Igor Stravinsky
Book: The Histories by Herodotus
Luxury: Spirit stove

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.

Letter from America by Alistair Cooke

Alistair Cooke’s weekly talks on American life, history and politics from 1946 – 2004.

Alistair Cooke’s weekly talks on American life, history and politics, as broadcast on BBC Radio 4 from 1946 – 2004.

Alistair Cooke’s weekly talks on American life, history and politics. Over 900 programmes, as broadcast from 1946 – 2004.

Alistair Cooke - Letter from America

Letter from America by Alistair Cooke: A small earthquake

07/06/2014

A small earthquake

BBC Radio 4 - Letter from America by Alistair Cooke, A small earthquake

The economic effects of a small quake on a small community.

How to get on with Californian life when the next earthquake could well be the expected Big One.

How to get on with Californian life when the next earthquake could well be the expected Big One.

This archive edition of Letter from America was recorded by one of two listeners, who between them taped and labelled over 650 Letter From America programmes from 1973 to 1989. It was restored by the BBC in 2014.

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