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
Apr 27, 2006 • 42min
The Great Exhibition of 1851
Melvyn Bragg discusses the Great Exhibition of 1851, highlighting its impact on British manufacturing, global markets, and cultural reputation. The exhibition showcased unique technologies and inventions, symbolizing progress and innovation in early Victorian Britain. Prince Albert's influence, management of crowds, and collaboration with European police are also explored, along with the rise and fall of the iconic Crystal Palace.
Apr 20, 2006 • 42min
Immunisation
From the origins of smallpox inoculation in Constantinople to Edward Jenner's groundbreaking vaccination, the podcast explores the historical progression of immunisation. It discusses the diverse adoption of immunisation practices and the British government's introduction of compulsory vaccination in 1853, sparking public resistance. The episode also delves into the successful eradication of smallpox by the World Health Organization through mass vaccination campaigns.
Apr 13, 2006 • 42min
The Oxford Movement
Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss the Oxford Movement in the Church of England in the 19th century. Cardinal John Henry Newman is perhaps the most significant Christian theologian of the nineteenth century. He began as an evangelical, becoming a High Anglican before converting to Roman Catholicism in 1845. His is the story of the diversity of Victorian religious life. But his path also marks the waning of the ideas of Protestant nationhood at the close of the eighteenth century and the reaffirmation of the Catholic tradition at the turn of the twentieth century. For over a decade, between 1833 and 1845, Newman and his fellow travellers, the Oxford Movement, argued that the Church of England was a holy Catholic and Apostolic Church. They sought to assert the Catholic nature of their Church just as secularism, liberalism, non-conformism, and even Roman Catholicism, seemed to threaten her. They published tracts, preached and brought their social mission to some of the poorest urban parishes. Why between 1833 and 1845 was the voice of reaction such a loud one? What was the Oxford Movement and what motivated them? How did they present their ideas to the Anglican clergy at large and what did the clergy make of them? And why did they leave such a powerful legacy for the Church of England, its character and its churches? With Sheridan Gilley, Emeritus Reader in Theology at the University of Durham; Frances Knight, Senior Lecturer in Church History at the University of Wales, Lampeter; Simon Skinner, Fellow and Tutor in History at Balliol College, Oxford.
Apr 6, 2006 • 42min
Goethe
Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss Johann Wolfgang Goethe, the great German polymath. 'I had the great advantage of being born at a time that was ripe for earth-shaking events which continued throughout my long life, so that I witnessed the Seven Years War...the French Revolution, and the whole Napoleonic era down to the defeat of the hero and what followed after him. As a result I have attained completely different insights and conclusions than will ever be possible for people who are born now...' Goethe's friend Johann Peter Eckermann recorded these remarks made by the great writer at the end of his life in a series of published recollections. Goethe's life was indeed remarkable. At the age of twenty-five he was author of the first German international best-seller The Sorrows of Young Werther. A year later, he was invited by the Grand Duke to join him at the Imperial Court as Privy Councillor where he oversaw commissions on war, roads and tax. He rode to war with the Prussian Army against the French and embarked on a remarkable creative friendship with Schiller which saw the establishment of a new form of German theatre. What made Goethe the dominant cultural icon of his time and after? What links were there between his interest in politics and the arts? Why did he support Napoleon despite the French invasion of Weimar? How did his relationships with women define his work? And how was he able to transform the status of the German language? With Tim Blanning, Professor of Modern European History at the University of Cambridge; Sarah Colvin, Professor of German at the University of Edinburgh; W. Daniel Wilson, Professor of German at Royal Holloway, University of London.
Mar 30, 2006 • 42min
The Carolingian Renaissance
Explore Charlemagne's rise to power in Western Europe, his cultural achievements, and the financing of his conquests. Learn about the scholars drawn to his court and the educational reforms he implemented. Dive into the debate on whether the Carolingian period can be considered a Renaissance, and the intertwining of politics, religion, and culture during this era.
Mar 23, 2006 • 42min
The Royal Society
Explore the origins of the Royal Society and how figures like Boyle, Hook, Wren, and Newton revolutionized science through empirical observation. Learn about Bacon's vision for collaborative science and the society's founding amidst religious and political turmoil. Discover the diverse minds that united to form the Royal Society and their early activities, contributions, and challenges in fostering scientific advancements.
Mar 16, 2006 • 42min
Don Quixote
Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss Miguel de Cervantes’ 17th century novel, Don Quixote. They explore the enduring legacy of the book, the clash between delusion and reality, the complex relationship dynamics between Don Quixote and Sancho Panza, and the innovative impact of 'Don Quixote' on later novelists. The discussion highlights the novel's eloquent language, comedic elements, and its influence on European literature.
Mar 9, 2006 • 42min
Negative Numbers
Melvyn Bragg and guests delve into the mysterious history of negative numbers, tracing their acceptance in math from Chinese solutions to European embrace. They explore the resistance faced, the contrast of mathematical progress across regions, the evolution of math into complex numbers, and the practical significance of negative numbers in science and technology.
Mar 2, 2006 • 42min
Friendship
Melvyn Bragg and guests explore the concept of friendship, discussing its importance in Greek and Roman societies. They delve into Aristotle's classification of friendship based on utility, pleasure, and goodness, highlighting the complexities of true friendship. The podcast touches on the darker aspects of friendship, including jealousy and exploitation, and examines how different forms of friendship have influenced creativity, intellectual pursuits, and power dynamics throughout history.
Feb 23, 2006 • 28min
Catherine the Great
Melvyn Bragg discusses Catherine the Great with historians, exploring her ambitions to transform Russia into an enlightened society. They delve into her policies on serfs, her complex legacy as a ruler, and the challenges she faced in implementing Western reforms while balancing power and resistance. The episode also highlights her strategic alliances, education reforms, and the impact of the French Enlightenment on her reign.
