Programme Index

4 Extra Debut. Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss George Orwell's Animal Farm, which he struggled to publish in WW2 as the USSR was an ally. From 2016. Show more

Contributors

Presenter:: Melvyn Bragg
Interviewed Guest:: Steven Connor
Interviewed Guest:: Mary Vincent
Interviewed Guest:: Robert Colls
Producer:: Simon Tillotson

Genres

FactualArts, Culture & the Media

Formats

Discussion & Talk

In Our Time

Maths in the Early Islamic World

Duration: 49 minutes

First broadcast: Thu 16^th Feb 2017, 09:00 on BBC Radio 4 FMLatest broadcast: Thu 16^th Feb 2017, 21:30 on BBC Radio 4 LW

Available for over a year

Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss how mathematicians in the Islamic world, from C8th-C15th, developed new ideas and synthesised ideas from Greek and Indian maths. Show more

Contributors

Presenter:: Melvyn Bragg
Interviewed Guest:: Colva Roney-Dougal
Interviewed Guest:: Peter Pormann
Interviewed Guest:: Jim Al-Khalili
Producer:: Simon Tillotson

In Our Time

Seneca the Younger

Duration: 51 minutes

First broadcast: Thu 23^rd Feb 2017, 09:00 on BBC Radio 4 FMLatest broadcast: Thu 23^rd Feb 2017, 21:30 on BBC Radio 4 LW

Available for over a year

Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss Seneca: philosopher, playwright, tutor to Nero, one of the first great writers born in the new Roman empire after the fall of the Republic. Show more

Contributors

Presenter:: Melvyn Bragg
Interviewed Guest:: Catharine Edwards
Interviewed Guest:: Mary Beard
Interviewed Guest:: Alessandro Schiesaro
Producer:: Simon Tillotson

Genres

FactualHistory

Formats

Discussion & Talk

Brand

In Our Time

Euclid's Elements

Duration: 46 minutes

First broadcast: Thu 28^th Apr 2016, 09:00 on BBC Radio 4 FMLatest broadcast: Thu 28^th Apr 2016, 21:30 on BBC Radio 4 LW

Available for over a year

Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss the content, history and impact of Euclid's Elements, the mathematical text book from the ancient world, originating in Alexandria in about 300BC. Show more

Contributors

Presenter:: Melvyn Bragg
Interviewed Guest:: Marcus du Sautoy
Interviewed Guest:: June Barrow-Green
Producer:: Simon Tillotson

Genres

FactualHistory

Formats

Discussion & Talk

Brand

In Our Time

Zeno's Paradoxes

Duration: 47 minutes

First broadcast: Thu 22^nd Sep 2016, 09:00 on BBC Radio 4 FMLatest broadcast: Thu 28^th May 2020, 21:30 on BBC Radio 4 FM

Available for over a year

Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss the paradoxes attributed to Zeno of Elea (c490-430BC) which have stimulated mathematicians and philosophers for millennia. Show more

Contributors

Presenter:: Melvyn Bragg
Interviewed Guest:: Marcus du Sautoy
Interviewed Guest:: Barbara Sattler
Interviewed Guest:: James Warren
Producer:: Simon Tillotson

Genres

Factual

Brand

In Our Time

Carl Friedrich Gauss

Duration: 49 minutes

First broadcast: Thu 30^th Nov 2017, 09:00 on BBC Radio 4 FMLatest broadcast: Thu 30^th Apr 2020, 21:30 on BBC Radio 4 LW

Available for over a year

Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss the ideas of Gauss, 'prince of mathematicians', including those on number theory, geometry, probability theory, astronomy and electromagnetism. Show more

Contributors

Presenter:: Melvyn Bragg
Interviewed Guest:: Marcus du Sautoy
Interviewed Guest:: Colva Roney-Dougal
Interviewed Guest:: Nick Evans
Producer:: Simon Tillotson

Genres

FactualHistory

Brand

In Our Time

Margaret of Anjou

Duration: 51 minutes

First broadcast: Thu 24^th May 2018, 09:00 on BBC Radio 4 FMLatest broadcast: Thu 24^th May 2018, 21:30 on BBC Radio 4 LW

Available for over a year

Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss how the Queen of England fought to hold on to power for the sake of her son, when her husband's mental illness made him unable to rule. Show more

Contributors

Presenter:: Melvyn Bragg
Interviewed Guest:: Katherine Lewis
Interviewed Guest:: James Ross
Interviewed Guest:: Joanna Laynesmith
Producer:: Simon Tillotson

Genres

FactualHistory

Formats

Discussion & Talk

Brand

Last Word

Paco de Lucia, Frank Rushbrook, Rose Finn-Kelcey, Logan Scott-Bowden, Alain Resnais

Duration: 28 minutes

First broadcast: Fri 7^th Mar 2014, 16:00 on BBC Radio 4 LWLatest broadcast: Sun 9^th Mar 2014, 20:30 on BBC Radio 4 FM

Available for over a year

Aasmah Mir on flamenco guitarist Paco de Lucia, fire safety expert Dr Frank Rushbrook, artist Rose Finn-Kelcey, Major General Logan Scott-Bowden and film director Alain Resnais. Show more

Contributors

Presenter:: Aasmah Mir
Producer:: Simon Tillotson
Interviewed Guest:: James Lygate
Interviewed Guest:: Hermione Wiltshire
Interviewed Guest:: Sarah Kent
Interviewed Guest:: Jim Booth
Interviewed Guest:: Agnes Poirier
Interviewed Guest:: Therese Saba

Genres

FactualLife Stories

Brand

Last Word

Pete Seeger, Kathryn Findlay, Sir Robert Scholey, Sir Run Run Shaw

Duration: 28 minutes

First broadcast: Fri 31^st Jan 2014, 16:00 on BBC Radio 4 FMLatest broadcast: Sun 2^nd Feb 2014, 20:30 on BBC Radio 4 LW

Available for over a year

Matthew Bannister remembers folk singer and activist Pete Seeger, architect Kathryn Findlay, British Steel chairman Sir Bob Scholey and Hong Kong movie mogul Sir Run Run Shaw. Show more

Contributors

Presenter:: Matthew Bannister
Producer:: Simon Tillotson

Genres

FactualLife Stories

Brand

Last Word

Philip Seymour Hoffman, Jose Sulaiman, Anna Gordy Gaye, Ron Hall, Peter Austin

Duration: 28 minutes

First broadcast: Fri 7^th Feb 2014, 16:00 on BBC Radio 4 FMLatest broadcast: Sun 9^th Feb 2014, 20:30 on BBC Radio 4 LW

Available for over a year

Matthew Bannister on actor Philip Seymour Hoffman, journalist Ron Hall, Motown records executive Anna Gordy Gaye, boxing administrator Jose Sulaiman and micro-brewer Peter Austin. Show more

Contributors

Presenter:: Matthew Bannister
Interviewed Guest:: Steven Schub
Interviewed Guest:: Mike Costello
Interviewed Guest:: Smokey Robinson
Interviewed Guest:: William Stevenson
Interviewed Guest:: Jacqueline Springer
Interviewed Guest:: Steve Turner
Interviewed Guest:: Harry Evans
Interviewed Guest:: Keith Bott
Interviewed Guest:: Alan Pugsley
Producer:: Simon Tillotson

Genres

FactualLife Stories

Brand

Last Word

Sir Tom Finney CBE, Sid Caesar, Ian McNaught-Davis, Els Borst, Louise Brough

Duration: 28 minutes

First broadcast: Fri 21^st Feb 2014, 16:00 on BBC Radio 4 FMLatest broadcast: Sun 23^rd Feb 2014, 20:30 on BBC Radio 4 LW

Available for over a year

Matthew Bannister on footballer Sir Tom Finney, comedian Sid Caesar, climber and broadcaster Ian McNaught-Davis, Dutch health minister Els Borst and tennis champion Louise Brough. Show more

Contributors

Presenter:: Matthew Bannister
Interviewed Guest:: Jimmy Armfield
Interviewed Guest:: Denis Norden
Interviewed Guest:: Chris Bonington
Interviewed Guest:: Chris Serle
Interviewed Guest:: Hans Andringa
Interviewed Guest:: Billie Jean King
Interviewed Guest:: John Barrett
Interviewed Guest:: Angela Mortimer
Producer:: Simon Tillotson

Genres

FactualLife Stories

Brand

Last Word

Prof Stuart Hall, Jean Babilée, Tony Crook, Shirley Temple Black

Duration: 28 minutes

First broadcast: Fri 14^th Feb 2014, 16:00 on BBC Radio 4 FMLatest broadcast: Sun 16^th Feb 2014, 20:30 on BBC Radio 4 LW

Available for over a year

Obituaries. Matthew Bannister on sociologist Professor Stuart Hall, ballet dancer Jean Babilée, Bristol car maker Tony Crook and child star turned diplomat Shirley Temple Black. Show more

Contributors

Presenter:: Matthew Bannister
Interviewed Guest:: Leslie Caron
Interviewed Guest:: Stirling Moss
Producer:: Simon Tillotson

Genres

FactualLife Stories

Brand

Last Word

Lord McAlpine, Jocelyn Hay, Amiri Baraka, Sir Christopher Chataway, Claudio Abbado

Duration: 28 minutes

First broadcast: Fri 24^th Jan 2014, 16:00 on BBC Radio 4 FMLatest broadcast: Sun 26^th Jan 2014, 20:30 on BBC Radio 4 LW

Available for over a year

Matthew Bannister on Tory fundraiser Lord McAlpine, broadcasting campaigner Jocelyn Hay, poet Amiri Baraka, runner and MP Sir Christopher Chataway, and conductor Claudio Abbado. Show more

Contributors

Presenter:: Matthew Bannister
Interviewed Guest:: Julia Langdon
Interviewed Guest:: Simon Heffer
Interviewed Guest:: Steven Barnet
Interviewed Guest:: Kevin Young
Interviewed Guest:: Bernardine Evaristo
Producer:: Simon Tillotson

Genres

FactualLife Stories

Brand

Last Word

Alison Jolly, Alice Herz-Sommer, Valery Kubasov, Mavis Gallant, Harold Ramis

Duration: 28 minutes

First broadcast: Fri 28^th Feb 2014, 16:00 on BBC Radio 4 FMLatest broadcast: Sun 2^nd Mar 2014, 20:30 on BBC Radio 4 FM

Available for over a year

Obituary series. Aasmah Mir remembers primatologist Alison Jolly, concert pianist Alice Herz-Sommer, cosmonaut Valeri Kubasov, writer Mavis Gallant and director Harold Ramis. Show more

Contributors

Presenter:: Aasmah Mir
Interviewed Guest:: Christopher Nupen
Interviewed Guest:: Vance Brand
Interviewed Guest:: Ian Christie
Producer:: Simon Tillotson

Genres

FactualLife Stories

Brand

Start the Week

A Good Death

Duration: 43 minutes

First broadcast: Mon 10^th Nov 2014, 09:00 on BBC Radio 4 FMLatest broadcast: Mon 10^th Nov 2014, 21:30 on BBC Radio 4 LW

Available for over a year

Andrew Marr discusses mortality and longevity with surgeon Atul Gawande, novelist and editor Diana Athill, medical ethicist Prof Deborah Bowman and historian Dr Carl Watkins. Show more

Contributors

Presenter:: Andrew Marr
Interviewed Guest:: Atul Gawande
Interviewed Guest:: Diana Athill
Interviewed Guest:: Deborah Bowman
Interviewed Guest:: Carl Watkins
Producer:: Simon Tillotson

Genres

FactualArts, Culture & the Media

Formats

Discussion & Talk

Brand

Start the Week

Hedonism

Duration: 43 minutes

First broadcast: Mon 22^nd Dec 2014, 09:00 on BBC Radio 4 FMLatest broadcast: Mon 22^nd Dec 2014, 21:30 on BBC Radio 4 LW

Available for over a year

Tom Sutcliffe discusses hedonism with RSC artistic director Greg Doran, sociologist Julia Twigg, science writer Zoe Cormier and Classics lecturer Kurt Lampe. Show more

Contributors

Presenter:: Tom Sutcliffe
Interviewed Guest:: Greg Doran
Interviewed Guest:: Zoe Cormier
Interviewed Guest:: Julia Twigg
Interviewed Guest:: Kurt Lampe
Producer:: Simon Tillotson

Genres

FactualArts, Culture & the Media

Formats

Discussion & Talk

Brand

Start the Week

Revolution

Duration: 43 minutes

First broadcast: Mon 27^th Oct 2014, 09:00 on BBC Radio 4 FMLatest broadcast: Mon 27^th Oct 2014, 21:30 on BBC Radio 4 LW

Available for over a year

Tom Sutcliffe with Russell Brand on revolution, David Babbs on campaigning, philosopher Susan Neiman on redefining maturity and Juliet Barker on the Great Revolt of 1381. Show more

Contributors

Presenter:: Tom Sutcliffe
Interviewed Guest:: Russell Brand
Interviewed Guest:: Susan Neiman
Interviewed Guest:: Julie Barker
Interviewed Guest:: David Babbs
Producer:: Simon Tillotson

Genres

FactualArts, Culture & the Media

Formats

Discussion & Talk

Brand

Start the Week

Sense of Place

Duration: 43 minutes

First broadcast: Mon 29^th Dec 2014, 09:00 on BBC Radio 4 FMLatest broadcast: Mon 29^th Dec 2014, 21:30 on BBC Radio 4 LW

Available for over a year

Andrew Marr discusses sense of place with singer Ian Bostridge, artist Victoria Crowe, writer Philip Marsden and lecturer Joanne Parker. Show more

Contributors

Presenter:: Andrew Marr
Interviewed Guest:: Philip Marsden
Interviewed Guest:: Victoria Crowe
Interviewed Guest:: Ian Bostridge
Interviewed Guest:: Joanne Parker
Producer:: Simon Tillotson

Genres

FactualArts, Culture & the Media

Formats

Discussion & Talk

Brand

Start the Week

The Tudors

Duration: 43 minutes

First broadcast: Mon 12^th Jan 2015, 09:00 on BBC Radio 4 FMLatest broadcast: Mon 12^th Jan 2015, 21:30 on BBC Radio 4 LW

Available for over a year

Tom Sutcliffe discusses the Tudors with Antonia Fraser, Peter Kosminsky, Claire van Kampen and Dan Jones. Show more

Contributors

Presenter:: Tom Sutcliffe
Interviewed Guest:: Antonia Fraser
Interviewed Guest:: Peter Kosminsky
Interviewed Guest:: Claire van Kampen
Interviewed Guest:: Dan Jones
Producer:: Simon Tillotson

Genres

FactualArts, Culture & the Media

Formats

Discussion & Talk

Brand

Start the Week

Science Fiction

Duration: 43 minutes

First broadcast: Mon 24^th Nov 2014, 09:00 on BBC Radio 4 FMLatest broadcast: Mon 24^th Nov 2014, 21:30 on BBC Radio 4 LW

Available for over a year

Tom Sutcliffe on science fiction, with speculative fiction writer William Gibson, novelist Michel Faber, Prof Judy Wajcman on technology and historian Dominic Sandbrook. Show more

Contributors

Presenter:: Tom Sutcliffe
Interviewed Guest:: William Gibson
Interviewed Guest:: Michel Faber
Interviewed Guest:: Judy Wajcman
Interviewed Guest:: Dominic Sandbrook
Producer:: Simon Tillotson

Genres

FactualArts, Culture & the Media

Formats

Discussion & Talk

Brand