In Our Time
BBC Radio 4
Spanning history, religion, culture, science and philosophy, In Our Time from BBC Radio 4 is essential listening for the intellectually curious. In each episode, host Misha Glenny and expert guests explore the characters, events and discoveries that have shaped our world.
History fans can learn about pivotal wars and societal upheavals, such as the rise and fall of Napoleon, the Sack of Rome in 1527, and the political intrigue of the Russian Revolution. Those fascinated by the lives of kings and queens can journey to Versailles to meet Marie Antoinette and Louis XIV the Sun King, or to Ancient Egypt to meet Cleopatra and Nerfertiti. Or perhaps you’re looking to explore the history of religion, from Buddhism’s early teachings to the Protestant Reformation.
If you’re interested in the stories behind iconic works of art, music and literature, dive in to discussions on the artistic genius of Michelangelo's Sistine Chapel and Van Gogh’s famous Sunflowers. From Gothic architecture to the works of Shakespeare, each episode of In Our Time offers new insight into humanity’s cultural achievements.
Those looking to enrich their scientific knowledge can hear episodes on black holes, the Periodic Table, and classical theories of gravity, motion, evolution and relativity. Learn how the discovery of penicillin revolutionised medicine, and how the death of stars can lead to the formation of new planets.
Lovers of philosophy will find episodes on the big issues that define existence, from free will and ethics, to liberty and justice. In what ways did celebrated philosophers such as Mary Wollstonecraft and Karl Marx push forward radical new ideas? How has the concept of karma evolved from the ancient Sanskrit texts of Hinduism to today? What was Plato’s concept of an ideal republic, and how did he explore this through the legend of the lost city of Atlantis?
In Our Time celebrates the pursuit of knowledge and the enduring power of ideas.
History fans can learn about pivotal wars and societal upheavals, such as the rise and fall of Napoleon, the Sack of Rome in 1527, and the political intrigue of the Russian Revolution. Those fascinated by the lives of kings and queens can journey to Versailles to meet Marie Antoinette and Louis XIV the Sun King, or to Ancient Egypt to meet Cleopatra and Nerfertiti. Or perhaps you’re looking to explore the history of religion, from Buddhism’s early teachings to the Protestant Reformation.
If you’re interested in the stories behind iconic works of art, music and literature, dive in to discussions on the artistic genius of Michelangelo's Sistine Chapel and Van Gogh’s famous Sunflowers. From Gothic architecture to the works of Shakespeare, each episode of In Our Time offers new insight into humanity’s cultural achievements.
Those looking to enrich their scientific knowledge can hear episodes on black holes, the Periodic Table, and classical theories of gravity, motion, evolution and relativity. Learn how the discovery of penicillin revolutionised medicine, and how the death of stars can lead to the formation of new planets.
Lovers of philosophy will find episodes on the big issues that define existence, from free will and ethics, to liberty and justice. In what ways did celebrated philosophers such as Mary Wollstonecraft and Karl Marx push forward radical new ideas? How has the concept of karma evolved from the ancient Sanskrit texts of Hinduism to today? What was Plato’s concept of an ideal republic, and how did he explore this through the legend of the lost city of Atlantis?
In Our Time celebrates the pursuit of knowledge and the enduring power of ideas.
Episodes
Mentioned books
Apr 20, 2000 • 42min
Englishness
Melvyn Bragg and guests explore the characteristics of English identity, delving into historical perceptions and stereotypes. They discuss the evolution of Englishness from the 17th to 19th centuries, the impact of colonization, interracial marriages, and the challenges of defining national identity in a globalized world.
Apr 13, 2000 • 28min
New Wars
Exploring the evolution of warfare structures from feudal age conflicts to modern national wars, the blurred distinction between civilians and military personnel, the shift in conflict dynamics post-Cold War, the challenges to establishing a Pax-Amedicana, the role of global civil society in promoting human rights, and reflections on peace and progress in humanity.
12 snips
Apr 6, 2000 • 28min
The Natural Order
Science enthusiast Melvyn Bragg and guests dive into the flaws of taxonomy, inspired by Borges' absurd animal categorizations. They discuss Linnaeus' influence, Darwin's evolutionary perspective, perfect archetypes, museum organization, and the clash between Darwin and Linnaeus on species classification and natural selection.
Mar 30, 2000 • 28min
History and Understanding the Past
Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss what can be learnt from history. Many of us were taught that an understanding of the past was essential to a knowledge of the present and, more excitingly, to a view of the future. Dig deep into the pockets of Greece and Rome, the Medievals and the Enlightened, drink deep at the well of history and from that sacred study, as from the Oracle at Delphi, would come prophecies, predictions, a sense of what is to come, based on a belief in the continuity of history. But in the 1980s reputable historians predicted the end of the American empire and the rise and rise of the Russian empire. And Lord Metroland, the old booby in Evelyn Waugh’s novel Put Out More Flags, was forever reading history wrongly. But the way we read history is a matter of key intellectual significance. The eminent historian Eric Hobsbawm’s book The New Century came out when the 21st century was but a few months old. Is it really possible for history to tell us something about an era which has hardly begun? Can we ever predict the future by understanding the past? Should we seek to understand the past because it holds important lessons for the future - or is history, as Henry Ford would have it, “more or less bunk”?With Richard J Evans, Professor of Modern History, University of Cambridge; Eric Hobsbawm, eminent historian and author of The New Century.
15 snips
Mar 23, 2000 • 28min
Materialism and the Consumer
The podcast discusses the impact of consumerism on culture and individuality, questioning the role of materialism in our lives. It explores the evolution of conspicuous consumption, the cultural significance of department stores, and the influence of consumer culture on artistry and society. Guests delve into the duality of materialism and artistic reaction, highlighting the challenges of maintaining anti-consumer ideals in today's society.
11 snips
Mar 16, 2000 • 28min
Lenin
Robert Service, a lecturer in Russian history and biographer of Lenin, teams up with Vitali Vitaliev, a former Soviet journalist and author, to dissect Lenin's complex legacy. They discuss Lenin's role in shaping the Soviet state and the one-party regime, contrasting his mythic persona with his real character. Insights into Lenin's early life reveal the intricacies behind his revolutionary image. As Russia contemplates his burial, they explore how his ideologies continue to resonate in contemporary society, despite the removal of his statues across Eastern Europe.
11 snips
Mar 9, 2000 • 28min
The Age of Doubt
Exploring the spread of religious doubt over the centuries, from Nietzsche to Lenin. Discussing the impact of science on challenging religious beliefs. Questioning the existence of God and the purpose of life. Delving into the influence of philosophers and writers on shaping societal views on faith.
8 snips
Mar 2, 2000 • 28min
Metamorphosis
Exploring Ovid's stories of metamorphosis from Narcissus to Kafka's bug, connecting ancient myths to Chaucer and Shakespeare. The discussion covers themes of change, passion, and the timeless relevance of shape-shifting tales. Delving into mythological transformations, the chapter highlights moral judgments, tragedy, and pursuit of truth. Touching on Greek myths, Freud's interpretation, and nature's mutability, the podcast reflects on the interconnectedness of life forms and evolution of moral values.
6 snips
Feb 24, 2000 • 28min
Grand Unified Theory
Exploring the clash between general relativity and quantum mechanics and the quest for a Grand Unified Theory. Discussing hidden dimensions and string theory, the significance of seven dimensions, and experimental evidence. Delving into a potential groundbreaking discovery in physics and the limits of understanding complex phenomena through string theory.
Feb 17, 2000 • 28min
Reading
Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss the history of the politics and practice of reading. Gustave Flaubert’s sage advice to us was: “Do not read, as children do, to amuse yourself, or like the ambitious, for the purpose of instruction. No, read in order to live.”Advice on reading - good and bad - litters the ages, from the Catholic Church refusing to translate the Bible into modern languages, to 18th century women being warned that injudicious reading could turn them to prostitution or worse. It seems that as soon as the written word was invented it came with a health warning. But thankfully, throughout the history of reading from the invention of the printing press onwards, much of that advice has been completely ignored. From the prayer wheel of medieval England to the electronic book, how has the process of reading has changed over time? How will tomorrow’s readers compare to those of the past, and is what we read today - and how we read it - essential or peripheral to the people we become?With Kevin Sharpe, Professor of History, University of Southampton; Jacqueline Pearson, Professor of English Literature, Manchester University.
