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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: Martin Amis

29/12/1996

Martin Amis

BBC Radio 4 - Desert Island Discs, Martin Amis

Sue Lawley's castaway is writer Martin Amis

Sue Lawley's castaway is writer Martin Amis.

Sue Lawley's guest on Desert Island Discs today is the writer Martin Amis. He describes his books as comedies, but, like London Fields and Other People, they are frequently dark and disturbing.

He says that he has no choice as to the subjects of his books. "They come from nowhere and feel like a little gulp in your digestive system". Although he admits that he's sometimes appalled by the characters he creates, writing itself is something he loves. 

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

Favourite track: Yesterdays by Buddy Rich
Book: Complete Works by John Milton
Luxury: Cable Television

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: The Boston Massacre

The Boston Massacre

BBC Radio 4 - Letter from America by Alistair Cooke, The Boston Massacre

How an engraving by Paul Revere exaggerated the 1770 riot at Boston's Customs House.

How an engraving by Paul Revere exaggerated the 1770 riot at Boston's Customs House into the Boston Massacre. Plus, the unsolved mystery of why flight TWA 800 crashed in 1996.

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