Audiobooks by James Naughtie

The New Elizabethans: A BBC history of the Queen’s reign, told through its most notable characters

James Naughtie examines the lives and impact of the men and women who have given the second Elizabethan Age its character As the longest-lived and longest-reigning monarch of the United Kingdom, Queen Elizabeth II has presided over an era of tremendous social, political and cultural change. In 2012, to mark her Diamond Jubilee, Radio 4 looked back on the long span of her reign, and asked the public to choose high-profile public figures who have helped to define this New Elizabethan Age. Almost a thousand nominations poured in, and the final selection was decided by a panel of leading writers and historians, including Dominic Sandbrook, Bamber Gascoigne and Max Hastings. In this celebratory collection, distinguished broadcaster James Naughtie profiles 37 of these iconic individuals. They come from all walks of life - from artists and scientists like David Hockney and Francis Crick, to business legends such as Alan Sainsbury and Anita Roddick, politicians including Roy Jenkins, Tony Blair and Alex Salmond, and even a member of the Royal Family: Diana, Princess of Wales. Some are world-famous, others less well-known, and there are several surprising choices - and a few controversial ones. But all have made their mark on our nation, for good or ill. Here are fascinating portraits of mountaineer Sir Edmund Hillary, whose conquest of Everest was announced on the day of the Queen's coronation; Elizabeth David, the food writer who brought European cuisine to British tables; leading thinker on British culture, race and identity Stuart Hall; renowned English composer Benjamin Britten; the inventor of the World Wide Web, Tim Berners-Lee - and many more, whose achievements and influence will stand the test of time. Together, they shine a light on postwar Britain, illuminating how our society has evolved over the seven decades since Queen Elizabeth II's accession. Production credits Presented by James Naughtie Produced by James Cook, Sukey Firth, Clare Walker, Sarah Taylor, Alison Hughes, Poppy Goodheart and Kate Howells First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 on the following dates: Edmund Hilary 11 June 2012 Elizabeth David 12 June 2012 Graham Greene 13 June 2012 Michael Young 14 June 2012 Vladimir Raitz 15 June 2012 Francis Crick 18 June 2012 Alan Sainsbury 20 June 2012 Benjamin Britten 25 June 2012 Dorothy Hodgkin 26 June 2012 Alfred Denning 4 July 2012 Paul Foot 5 July 2012 Francis Bacon 6 July 2012 Peter Hall 12 July 2012 Terence Conran 13 July 2012 Enoch Powell 16 July 2012 Cicely Saunders 17 July 2012 Basil D'Oliveira 19 July 2012 Germaine Greer 23 July 2012 Robert Edwards 24 July 2012 Jack Jones 26 July 2012 Talaiasi Labalaba 31 July 2012 Jocelyn Bell Burnell 2 August 2012 Roy Jenkins 3 August 2012 Vivienne Westwood 6 August 2012 Jayaben Desai 7 August 2012 Stuart Hall 9 August 2012 David Hockney 14 August 2012 Ralph Robins 16 August 2012 Anita Roddick 21 August 2012 Norman Foster 22 August 2012 Charles Saatchi 23 August 2012 Goldie 24 August 2012 John Hume/David Trimble 27 August 2012 Tim Berners-Lee 29 August 2012 Diana, Princess of Wales 30 August 2012 Alex Salmond 31 August 2012 Tony Blair 3 September 2012 © 2022 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd. (P) 2022 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd.

James Naughtie (Author), James Naughtie (Narrator)

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On the Road: Adventures from Nixon to Trump

'A revealing and at times spellbinding tapestry of a nation...It is thought-provoking, constantly surprising and hugely entertaining. Sublime stuff.' Michael Simkins, Mail on Sunday 'An insightful account of living through momentous times...much to enjoy in Naughtie's astute memoir.' Martin Chilton, Independent James Naughtie, the acclaimed author and BBC broadcaster, now brings his unique and inquisitive eye to the country that has fascinated him and drawn him across the Atlantic for half a century. In looking at America, from Presidents Nixon through to Trump, he tells the story of a country that is grappling with a dream. What has it come to mean in the new century, and who do Americans now think they are? Drawing on his travels and encounters over forty years in the 'Land of the Free', On The Road is filled with anecdotes, memories, tears and laughter reflecting Naughtie's characteristic warmth and enthusiasm in encountering the America of Washington, of Broadway, of the small town and the plains. As a student, Naughtie watched the fall of President Richard Nixon in 1974, and subsequently as a journalist followed the story of the country - its politicians, artists, wheeler-dealers and the people who make it what it is, in the New York melting pot or the western deserts. This is a story filled with encounters, for example with the people he has watched on every presidential campaign from the late 1970s to the victory of Donald Trump in 2016. As the 2020 presidential elections are well underway, Jim sees for himself how the main contenders are campaigning. He sees, also, how POTUS himself is dealing with impeachment proceedings, and what the ordinary citizen thinks of it all.

James Naughtie (Author), James Naughtie (Narrator)

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The Making of Music: The complete landmark BBC Radio 4 series

In this major BBC Radio 4 series, James Naughtie uncovers the roots of our music and reveals the soundtrack to our own history.The history of classical music is inextricably linked with the places it was written, its purpose and its patrons, as well as with politics, war and social change. From the earliest music of the monasteries, to the court and church music of the Renaissance and Reformation and beyond, composers have always changed with the times. In these programmes, James Naughtie reveals how the chance happenings of history built a classical tradition that tells a glittering and inspiring story. His journey takes him from early beginnings to the present day, where he examines the current state of classical music. This epic and important series features extracts from the music itself, as well as the voices of Benedict Cumberbatch, Alison Carney, Laurence Fox and Simon Russell Beale alongside James Naughtie’s own.

James Naughtie (Author), James Naughtie (Narrator)

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Paris Spring

Paris in 1968 - seething with revolutionaries and spies - sees Will Flemyng's world turned upside down, after a mysterious encounter on the metro and a chance revelation from a rival operative. In a city alive with talk of revolution, Will finds himself in the thick of the action. But now he gets news that threatens the closest and most complicated relationship in his life, with his younger brother.

James Naughtie (Author), James Naughtie (Narrator)

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King James Bible, The Readings And Documentaries From BBC Radio

2011 marks the 400th anniversary of the King James Bible, a seminal text that remains the most widely published and influential book in the English language. Once described as 'the noblest monument of English prose', it has been recognised for centuries as both a religious and a literary classic. This compilation features James Naughtie's acclaimed three-part documentary series 'The Story of the King James Bible' - a fascinating exploration of how a new translation of the Bible came to be produced and the impact it has had since. In addition, there are 28 readings from the work itself, encompassing some of the most powerful and awe-inspiring passages narrated by well-known actors such as Samuel West, Emilia Fox, Hugh Bonneville, Niamh Cusack and Bill Paterson and introduced by eminent figures from the worlds of history, literature and religion such as Simon Schama, David Lodge, Will Self and Dr Rowan Williams, Archbishop of Canterbury. Enlightening and inspiring, this is a thrilling tribute to one of the greatest works ever produced in English.

James Naughtie (Author), Emilia Fox, Hugh Bonneville, Rowan Williams, Samuel West, Simon Schama, Various Artists (Narrator)

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