Audiobooks by Jonathan Myerson

The Republicans: A collection of six BBC Radio 4 dramatisations following the political swings of th

Six BBC radio dramas following the political swings of the Republican Party, through the personal stories of its Presidents Focussing on three of the best-known Republican Presidents of the 20th Century, Jonathan Myerson's riveting drama series looks at how their triumphs and disasters drove the party's electoral fortunes.Closely based on accounts by those who were there, this political trilogy reimagines the pivotal moments that changed history, and the part played by these famous and controversial leaders. Ronald Reagan: Death Valley Days 1965. Barry Goldwater's presidential campaign against LBJ has crashed and burned, and the Republicans need a fresh, new face -someone with TV appeal. Inspired by his down-home style and easygoing charm, they turn to fading movie star and Western hero Ronnie Reagan, and ask him to play a different kind of role. Richard Nixon: Searchlight Has Left the Building 1970. President Nixon has invaded Cambodia, sparking student protests across the US. At Kent State University, the National Guardsmen have shot four dead, and Washington is on high alert. But when the insomniac President wakes at 4am to see rebellious students assembling at the Lincoln Memorial, he goes out to meet them, taking his White House valet with him. As the Secret Service struggles to catch up, the night takes a bizarre turn... Gerald Ford: Fascist Insect 1975. Nixon has resigned, and new President Gerald Ford is fighting for his political survival. The country is in chaos, his party is disintegrating, and challenger Ronald Reagan is attacking with weekly radio broadcasts and the catchy slogan 'Make America Great Again'. Saigon has fallen, the Panama Canal is under threat and political fervour is everywhere - even celebrity rich-girl kidnap victim Patty Hearst seems to have turned terrorist. Then ex-FBI informant Sara Jane Moore decides to trigger the revolution. She buys a gun - and aims it at the President... Ronald Reagan: Hanging by Our Thumbs 1987. Hold on tight for a knockabout journey through the crazy stories of the notorious Iran-Contra affair. Ronald Reagan's landslide second term is on the ropes. Congress is investigating evidence that the US has illegally been selling arms to Iran, and secretly diverting the proceeds to fund Contra guerrilla fighters in Nicaragua - all with the President's knowledge. But when NATO Ambassador David Abshire is recalled to try to get the facts straight, he discovers it all depends on what you believe..... George W Bush: A Higher Father 2000. As George W Bush scrapes into the White House, his surprise journey to the Presidency doesn't just follow in his father's footsteps. According to US Marine Gunnery Sergeant Louella Harkrader - a storyteller with her own peculiar angle - Dubya's political steps have been guided all along by a Higher Father, now exerting His influence on US politics. Donald Trump: This Isn't Happening 2016. At a campaign rally, Donald Trump declares: "I could stand in the middle of Fifth Avenue and shoot somebody and I wouldn't lose voters." But when President Trump loses his temper on his Scottish golf course one day, things work out very differently.... Among the casts of these entertaining radio plays are Kerry Shale, Madeleine Potter, Jonathan Hyde, Sian Thomas and Nathan Osgood.

Jonathan Myerson (Author), Jack Klaff, Jonathan Hyde, Kerry Shale, Lewis Macleod, Madeleine Porter, Nathan Osgood, Sian Thomas (Narrator)

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The Price of Oil, Episode 4: Baby Oil (BBC Afternoon Drama)

1991: the start of the First Gulf War. As the first bombs fall on Baghdad, a young man walks into the Marines Recruiting Office and demands to join up... because the war is his fault. Baby Oil follows a young staffer's last crazy weeks in the White House, as George Bush Snr's administration struggles to sell to the American people the unpalatable idea of committing US troops to defend an oil-rich monarchy like Kuwait. That is until the young staffer finds the perfect way... Daniel Betts, James McArdle and Michael J. Shannon star in Jonathan Myerson's imagined political drama, based on real events in the propaganda campaign at the outbreak of the First Gulf War. One of a season of dramas exploring the history of oil - and the price we've paid for it.

Jonathan Myerson (Author), Michael J. Shannon, Stephen Critchlow (Narrator)

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The Price of Oil, Episode 3: The Weapon (BBC Afternoon Drama)

After the October 1973 Arab-Israeli War, OPEC used an oil embargo to punish the US and Europe for its support for Israel. By early 1974, the embargo had plunged the world into an economic crisis. Then on 21st December 1975, Venezuelan Marxist pin-up Carlos the Jackal storms the OPEC HQ in Vienna. He takes 96 hostages, including 11 oil ministers from OPEC countries. This is the story of the siege. Zubin Varla and Joseph Balderrama star in Jonathan Myerson's thriller - a tense dramatisation of the real-life OPEC siege. One of a season of dramas exploring the history of oil - and the price we've paid for it.

Jonathan Myerson (Author), Joseph Balderrama, Stephen Critchlow, Zubin Varla (Narrator)

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The Price of Oil, Episode 1: Stand Firm, You Cads! (BBC Afternoon Drama)

Anglo-Persian Oil (later BP) was specially formed to exploit the 60-year oil concession to drill for oil, which was signed in 1901 by the then Shah of Persia. Prompted by Winston Churchill, the British Government bought 51% of the company's shares. Persian oil soon became Britain's 'single largest overseas asset'. But in 1951, newly-elected Prime Minister Mossadegh declared the concession 'immoral', unilaterally cancelled it, and on 1st May successfully passed a law which nationalised Anglo-Persian - and all the oil. There are riots, demonstrations, and a blockade of shipping. And in the great oil refinery on the island of Abadan, a shocked British ex-pat community struggle to understand the new world which has just arrived... Anna Maxwell Martin, Raad Rawi and Luke Treadaway star in the first of a season of factual dramas exploring the history of oil - and the price we've paid for it.

Jonathan Myerson (Author), Anna Maxwell Martin, Luke Treadaway, Raad Rawi (Narrator)

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That Was Then: Series 1 and 2: A BBC Radio 4 thriller

The truth won't stay hidden forever. Twenty years after a murder, the convicted man walks free. His supporters claim a victory for justice, but for the murdered man's friends, life implodes. Old lies re-surface, and new questions haunt them. What really happened back then, in the student house they all shared? The house where Ben died? Anna was one of the victim's housemates, back when they were students. Now she is a vicar, but back then she did media studies. When the case opens up again she finds all her old student films in the loft - films about her housemates - and she watches them with new eyes. Covertly recording on her phone, she starts to unravel what really happened. Starring Rosie Cavaliero, best known as DS Susan Reinhardt in Prey, and Marion in Unforgotten. This collection also includes a 10-minute behind-the-scenes feature: 'The Making of That Was Then'. Produced and directed by Jonquil Panting.

Jonathan Myerson (Author), , Rosie Cavaliero (Narrator)

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Payback (BBC Radio 4 Saturday Play)

It is 6th October 1973. Golda Meir has become Prime Minister of Israel in her seventies. Syrian and Egyptian troops are massing on Israel's borders, but despite eleven warnings of impending war in the past month, the Israeli cabinet has not called up the reserve. In Florida, Richard Nixon awaits the final verdict of the Washington Appeal court on his objections to surrendering the Watergate Tapes. In New York, Henry Kissinger is about to be woken at his room in the Waldorf Astoria, with news of a new Middle East War. Stars Henry Goodman as Henry Kissinger, Peter Marinker as Richard Nixon and Sara Kestelman as Golda Meir. Also included in the cast are Kerry Shale, Ewan Bailey, Sam Dale, Sean Baker and Christine Kavanagh. Produced and directed by Jonquil Panting. 'Payback' was originally broadcast on 22 January 2011.

Jonathan Myerson (Author), Full Cast, Henry Goodman, Peter Marinker, Sara Kestelman (Narrator)

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