Sarah Dunant owns up to being a member of the greediest generation - the baby boomers. Show more

Sarah Dunant pays tribute to a past generation of outstanding women teachers who inspired her own generation and enabled girls to be part of a meritocratic moment in history. Show more

Joan Bakewell reflects on the irreplaceable value of reading at a time when the squeeze on government spending is putting public libraries at risk.

Joan Bakewell contrasts our empathy for fictional characters on the stage and on screen with a reported growing lack of sympathy for real people in need. Show more

Alain de Botton explores the notion that museums are our new churches. But museums - he says - have a lot to learn from churches about getting their message across. Show more

David Attenborough relives the moment when he was first encouraged to ascend into the treetops of the jungle. Show more

David Attenborough muses over the peculiar Kiwi, a bird more mammal-like in its habits. Show more

David Attenborough's fascination with the fossilised evidence of the beginning of life. Show more

Lisa Jardine reflects on the history and political significance of fireworks. Show more

Lisa Jardine reflects on the colourful career of the founder of the British Museum, Sir Hans Sloane.

Joan Bakewell celebrates the art of diary writing by public figures and private individuals whose accounts of everyday life help shape our view of the past.

In the first of a new series, Alain de Botton argues that teachers of humanities in universities have only themselves to blame for many of the swingeing cuts they're facing. Show more

David Attenborough explains how different types of peppers, Potatoes and Artichokes made their way to the United Kingdom.

Cicadas are those strumming insects that fill the evening air across the world with sound. David Attenborough tells a tale of one species that strums once every 17 years. Show more

Simon Schama celebrates the history and culture of New Zealand and regrets any renewed talk of joining up with Australia. Show more

In his letter this week, Simon Schama reflects on food and eating habits in America and welcomes the growing popularity of ethnic dishes and local farm produce.

Simon Schama looks at the drama of national elections in Britain, and the momentous events of the 1830s, when civil unrest might have led to revolution but was deflected by parliamentray reform.

Simon Schama looks forward to spring with personal reflections on the changing seasons and he commends Geoffrey Chaucer's upbeat opinion of April compared with T.S. Eliot's more pessimistic view.

Simon Schama reflects on the politics surrounding President Obama's healthcare reforms, which he sees as a turning point of historic proportions.

Mark Tully examines the perils the president of the Congress party, Sonia Gandhi faces after she pushed a controversial act through the Upper House of Parliament. Show more