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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: Sir Isaiah Berlin

15/03/1992

Sir Isaiah Berlin

BBC Radio 4 - Desert Island Discs, Sir Isaiah Berlin

Sue Lawley's castaway is historian and philosopher Sir Isaiah Berlin

Sue Lawley's castaway is historian and philosopher Sir Isaiah Berlin.

The castaway in Desert Island Discs this week is philosopher and historian Sir Isaiah Berlin. Born in Latvia 80 years ago, he was brought to England by his family when he was ten years old and barely able to speak English. He is now internationally regarded as one of the most brilliant scholars of his age.

He'll be talking to Sue Lawley about his early years in Russia, his commitment to, and respect for, this country, and explaining the philosophical implications of liberalism - his guiding principle for 60 years.

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

Favourite track: String Quartet in C Sharp Minor Op 131 by Ludwig van Beethoven
Book: Works, prose and verse by Aleksandr Pushkin
Luxury: Large armchair stacked with cushions

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.

Letter from America by Alistair Cooke: Columbus and Asimov

Columbus and Asimov

BBC Radio 4 - Letter from America by Alistair Cooke, Columbus and Asimov

Should Americans celebrate, or be embarrased by, Columbus Day?

The mixed emotions felt by the Americans and Spanish towards Christopher Columbus, and the work of science fiction writer Isaac Asimov.

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