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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: Douglas Adams

06/02/1994

Douglas Adams

BBC Radio 4 - Desert Island Discs, Douglas Adams

Sue Lawley's castaway is writer Douglas Adams

Sue Lawley's castaway is writer Douglas Adams.

The castaway in Desert Island Discs this week is Douglas Adams, creator of the anarchic world conjured up by The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy. He'll be talking to Sue Lawley about how, as a child, he found it difficult to communicate with the adult world, and didn't speak until he was four years old. But as his confidence grew, he set his sights on being a nuclear physicist - an ambition later replaced by a burning desire to be John Cleese in Monty Python's Flying Circus. In fact, he has become a hugely-successful author, a passionate amateur naturalist and a rock star manque.

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

Book: Omnibus of Golfing Stories by P G Wodehouse
Luxury: Martin D28 left-handed guitar

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: Clinton’s draft dodge

Clinton’s draft dodge

BBC Radio 4 - Letter from America by Alistair Cooke, Clinton’s draft dodge

Did Bill Clinton use family and political influence to avoid being drafted during Vietnam?

Bill Clinton's draft dodging during the Vietnam War is remembered by Alistair Cooke upon hearing that America's trade embargo on Vietnam is soon to be lifted. 

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