An exploration of Voltaire's iconic novel 'Candide', delving into its satire on Optimism and critique of society. The podcast discusses Voltaire's life and literary works, his controversies, Enlightenment ideals, and the philosophical questions raised in the novel. Topics include the origin of evil, the Lisbon earthquake's impact, and themes of wealth, freedom, and adventure in 'Candide'.

Delve into the power struggles of the Wars of the Roses and the rise of Henry Tudor, exploring Richard III's loyalty, military leadership, and ruthless side. Discover Henry's exile and rebellion, strategic military movements leading to Bosworth Field, and the aftermath of Richard's death. Uncover the political intrigue of Henry VII's reign and the challenges in restoring Richard III's reputation.

Explore the origins and influence of Neoplatonism, a school of thought founded by Plotinus in the 3rd century AD. Learn about the complex cosmology linking humans with the divine, the clashes between Christianity and Neoplatonism, and the impact on Renaissance scholars and artists.

This podcast explores the emergence of geology as a scientific discipline, tracing its roots from ancient Egyptian and Greek scholars to the Renaissance period. It delves into the challenges faced by early geologists due to religious beliefs and limited knowledge, highlighting key figures like Agricola and Gessner. The episodes also discuss the influence of religious institutions on scientific inquiry, the impact of leading figures like Federico Chazy, and the debates around early geological theories like the age of the Earth.

Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss George Fox and the Quakers, focusing on their radical beliefs, rejection of traditional Church practices, advocacy for equality, and perseverance through persecution. They explore the origins of Quakerism, key figures like Margaret Fell, and the impactful role of Quaker women in spreading their message. The podcast delves into the confrontations with authorities, legal tactics, and the intense religious persecution faced by the Quakers in the 17th century.

Melvyn Bragg and his guests discuss the measurement of time. Early civilisations used the movements of heavenly bodies to tell the time, but even in the ancient world more sophisticated timekeeping devices such as waterclocks were known. The development of mechanical clocks in Europe emerged in the medieval period when monks used such devices to sound an alarm to signal it was the hour to pray, although these clocks did not tell them the time. For hundreds of years clocks were inaccurate and it proved hard to remedy the problems, let alone settle on a standard time that the country should follow. It was with the advent of the railways that time finally became standardised in Britain in the mid-19th century and only in 1884 that Greenwich became the prime meridian of the world. Atomic clocks now mark the passing of the days, hours, and minutes and they are capable of keeping time to a second in 15 million years. With:Kristen LippincottFormer Director of the Royal Observatory, GreenwichJim BennettDirector of the Museum of the History of Science at the University of OxfordJonathan BettsSenior Curator of Horology at the Royal Observatory, GreenwichProducer: Natalia Fernandez.

Melvyn Bragg and his guests discuss the work and influence of the eighteenth-century philosopher Moses Mendelssohn. A prominent figure at the court of Frederick the Great, Mendelssohn was one of the most significant thinkers of his age. He came from a humble, but culturally rich background and his obvious intelligence was recognised from a young age and nurtured by the local rabbi where he lived in the town of Dessau in Prussia. Moses's learning earned him the sobriquet of the 'German Socrates' and he is considered to be one of the principal architects of the Haskala, the Jewish Enlightenment, and widely regarded as having helped bring Judaism into the mainstream of European culture. Mendelssohn is perhaps best remembered today for his efforts to bring Jewish and German culture closer together and for his plea for religious toleration.With:Christopher ClarkProfessor of Modern European History at the University of CambridgeAbigail GreenTutor and Fellow in History at the University of OxfordAdam SutcliffeSenior Lecturer in European History at King's College, London Producer: Natalia Fernandez.

Melvyn Bragg and his guests discuss Vitruvius' De Architectura. Written almost exactly two thousand years ago, Vitruvius' work is a ten-volume treatise on engineering and architecture, the only surviving work on the subject from the ancient world. This fascinating book offers unique insights into Roman technology and contains discussion of the general principles of architecture, the training of architects and the design of temples, houses and public buildings.The rediscovery of this seminal treatise in the 15th century provided the impetus for the neoclassical architectural movement, and Vitruvius exerted a significant influence on the work of Renaissance architects including Palladio, Brunelleschi and Alberti. It remains a hugely important text today, two millennia after it was written.With:Serafina CuomoReader in Roman History at Birkbeck, University of LondonRobert TavernorEmeritus Professor of Architecture and Urban Design at the London School of EconomicsAlice KoenigLecturer in Latin and Classical Studies at the University of St Andrews.Producer: Thomas Morris.

Melvyn Bragg and his guests discuss Lyrical Ballads, the collection of poems by William Wordsworth and Samuel Coleridge first published in 1798. The work was conceived as an attempt to cast off the stultifying conventions of formal 18th-century poetry. Wordsworth wrote that the poems it contains should be "considered as experiments. They were written chiefly with a view to ascertain how far the language of conversation in the middle and lower classes of society is adapted to the purpose of poetic pleasure."Lyrical Ballads contains some of the best-known work by Coleridge and Wordsworth, including The Rime of the Ancient Mariner and Tintern Abbey - and is today seen as a point of radical departure for poetry in English.With:Judith HawleyProfessor of Eighteenth-Century Literature at Royal Holloway, University of LondonJonathan BateProvost of Worcester College, OxfordPeter SwaabReader in English Literature at University College London.Producer: Thomas Morris.

Benjamin Franklin's multifaceted life as a printer, diplomat, writer, scientist highlighted. Discusses his groundbreaking work in electricity, political maneuvers, inventions like bifocal glasses, and securing French support for American Revolution. Explores divergent perceptions of Franklin in America and England, portraying him as intelligent, politically savvy figure.