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 Melvyn Bragg 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
Sep 19, 2013 • 42min
Pascal
This podcast delves into the life and legacy of Blaise Pascal, a brilliant mathematician and scientist who made groundbreaking discoveries in mathematics and physics. It explores his religious conversion and profound contributions to probability theory, decision theory, and Christian philosophy. Pascal's innovative inventions, including the Pascaline calculator and barometer, showcase his multifaceted genius and enduring influence across different fields.
Jul 4, 2013 • 42min
The Invention of Radio
Melvyn Bragg and his guests discuss the invention of radio. In the early 1860s the Scottish physicist James Clerk Maxwell derived four equations which together describe the behaviour of electricity and magnetism. They predicted the existence of a previously unknown phenomenon: electromagnetic waves. These waves were first observed in the early 1880s, and over the next two decades a succession of scientists and engineers built increasingly elaborate devices to produce and detect them. Eventually this gave birth to a new technology: radio. The Italian Guglielmo Marconi is commonly described as the father of radio - but many other figures were involved in its development, and it was not him but a Canadian, Reginald Fessenden, who first succeeded in transmitting speech over the airwaves.With:Simon Schaffer
Professor of the History of Science at the University of CambridgeElizabeth Bruton
Postdoctoral Researcher at the University of LeedsJohn Liffen
Curator of Communications at the Science Museum, LondonProducer: Thomas Morris.
Jun 27, 2013 • 42min
Romance of the Three Kingdoms
Melvyn Bragg and his guests discuss the Romance of the Three Kingdoms, widely regarded as one of the greatest works of Chinese literature. Written 600 years ago, it is an historical novel that tells the story of a tumultuous period in Chinese history, the 2nd and 3rd centuries AD. Partly historical and partly legend, it recounts the fighting and scheming of the feudal lords and the three states which came to power as the Han Dynasty collapsed. The influence of Romance of the Three Kingdoms in East Asia has been likened to that of Homer in the West, and this warfare epic remains popular in China today.With:Frances Wood
Former Lead Curator of Chinese Collections at the British LibraryCraig Clunas
Professor of the History of Art at the University of OxfordMargaret Hillenbrand
University Lecturer in Modern Chinese Literature at the University of Oxford and Fellow of Wadham CollegeProducer: Victoria Brignell.
Jun 20, 2013 • 42min
The Physiocrats
Melvyn Bragg and his guests discuss the Physiocrats, an important group of economic thinkers in eighteenth-century France. The Physiocrats believed that the land was the ultimate source of all wealth, and crucially that markets should not be constrained by governments. Their ideas were important not just to economists but to the course of politics in France. Later they influenced the work of Adam Smith, who called Physiocracy "perhaps the nearest approximation to the truth that has yet been published upon the subject of political economy."With:Richard Whatmore
Professor of Intellectual History & the History of Political Thought at the University of SussexJoel Felix
Professor of History at the University of ReadingHelen Paul
Lecturer in Economics and Economic History at the University of Southampton.Producer: Thomas Morris.
Jun 13, 2013 • 42min
Prophecy
Professor Mona Siddiqui and other experts discuss the role of prophets in Judaism, Christianity, and Islam, exploring their significance, differences, and evolution. They delve into the characteristics of lesser-known prophets, the verification of prophecies, the ethical guidance provided by prophets, and the disruptive nature of prophecy in disrupting established structures.
Jun 6, 2013 • 42min
Relativity
Melvyn Bragg and experts delve into Einstein's Special and General Relativity, reshaping views on space, time, and gravity. They explore time dilation, twin paradox, E=MC squared, and Einstein's impact on science. Mathematical foundations of relativity and the discovery of black holes are discussed, highlighting Einstein's revolutionary achievements.
May 30, 2013 • 42min
Queen Zenobia
Explore the captivating story of Queen Zenobia, a formidable leader who defied the Roman Empire, conquered Egypt, and established her own empire before facing defeat. Learn about her intelligence, military prowess, and lasting legacy. Delve into the historical significance of Palmyra, an oasis of cultural exchange, and Queen Zenobia's rise to power amidst power struggles and imperial titles. Witness Aurelian's reign and Zenobia's downfall in the face of strategic ambitions and calculated alliances.
May 23, 2013 • 42min
Lévi-Strauss
Delve into Claude Levi-Strauss's study of Brazilian tribes and his impactful ideas on universal human thought. Learn about his structuralism debate with Jean-Paul Sartre and his influential works on myth, human thought, and kinship. Explore the lasting legacy of Levi-Strauss in the intellectual landscape.
May 16, 2013 • 42min
Cosmic Rays
Melvyn Bragg and his guests discuss cosmic rays. In 1912 the physicist Victor Hess discovered that the Earth is under constant bombardment from radiation coming from outside our atmosphere. These so-called cosmic rays have been known to cause damage to satellites and electronic devices on Earth, but most are absorbed by our atmosphere. The study of cosmic rays and their effects has led to major breakthroughs in particle physics. But today physicists are still trying to establish where these highly energetic subatomic particles come from.With:Carolin Crawford
Gresham Professor of Astronomy and a member of the Institute of Astronomy at the University of Cambridge Alan Watson
Emeritus Professor of Physics at the University of Leeds Tim Greenshaw
Professor of Physics at the University of Liverpool.Producer: Thomas Morris.
May 9, 2013 • 42min
Icelandic Sagas
Melvyn Bragg and his guests discuss the Icelandic Sagas. First written down in the 13th century, the sagas tell the stories of the Norse settlers of Iceland, who began to arrive on the island in the late 9th century. They contain some of the richest and most extraordinary writing of the Middle Ages, and often depict events known to have happened in the early years of Icelandic history, although there is much debate as to how much of their content is factual and how much imaginative. Full of heroes, feuds and outlaws, with a smattering of ghosts and trolls, the sagas inspired later writers including Sir Walter Scott, William Morris and WH Auden.With:Carolyne Larrington
Fellow and Tutor in Medieval English Literature at St John's College, OxfordElizabeth Ashman Rowe
University Lecturer in Scandinavian History at the University of CambridgeEmily Lethbridge
Post-Doctoral Researcher at the Árni Magnússon Manuscripts Institute in ReykjavíkProducer: Thomas Morris.
