Audiobooks narrated by Melvyn Bragg

Tales of Terror: A BBC Radio Gothic Drama Collection: The Castle of Otranto, The Monk, The Mysteries

"Four full-cast dramatisations of classic Gothic novels, plus documentaries exploring the genre’s rise and enduring appeal Dark deeds, dastardly villains, innocent victims and supernatural happenings – these are the terrifying tropes that make up Gothic fiction, a genre that has captured our imagination for over 250 years. Blending both classic and modern dramatisations, this specially curated anthology couples thrilling masterpieces with insightful documentaries… We begin with A Gothic Quest, in which Louise Welsh examines what ‘gothic’ really means, and takes a look at its many appearances in poetry, fiction, art, architecture and film. In A Guided Tour of the Castle of Otranto, Rory McGrath explores the origins of gothic horror, first manifested in Horace Walpole’s 1764 novel. It is followed by a dramatisation of The Castle of Otranto itself, a dark supernatural tale of duplicity and dynastic rivalry. Treading warily into the book’s strange world in Kaleidoscope Feature: A Little Gothic Castle, Peggy Reynolds draws parallels between Walpole’s vision for his London villa, Strawberry Hill, and the haunted mansion in the novel. Next, we unveil the male gothic in a gripping drama featuring disguise, abduction, incest and murder. The Monk, based on the 1796 classic by Matthew Lewis, tells the story of Ambrosio (Michael Pennington), who is tempted into breaking his vows of chastity by a beautiful young nun. The dawn of the female gothic is revealed in The Mysteries of Udolpho by Ann Radcliffe, centred on a powerless young heroine trapped in an isolated castle and pitted against an evil Italian Count. Showcasing the Gothic satire is Jane Austen’s 1817 novel Northanger Abbey, poking fun at the popular sensation fiction of her day. In this witty drama, Catherine Morland is taken to Bath for the season, and finds that in her fertile imagination, danger and hair-raising horrors lurk around every corner. Georgia Groome, Miriam Margolyes and Bridgerton’s Luke Thompson star in this full-cast dramatisation. Wrapping up our collection is In Our Time: Gothic, which sees Melvyn Bragg and guest experts considering the origins and significance of the 18th century Gothic movement. First published 1764 (The Castle of Otranto), 1794 (The Mysteries of Udolpho), 1796 (The Monk), 1817 (Northanger Abbey) Content List Part 1. Gothic Imagination A Gothic Quest Presented by Louise Welsh Part 2. The First Gothic Novel: The Castle of Otranto by Horace Walpole A Guided Tour of the Castle of Otranto Presented by Rory McGrath The Castle of Otranto cast and credits to be announced Kaleidoscope Feature: A Little Gothic Castle Presented by Peggy Reynolds Part 3. Unveiling A Male Gothic: The Monk by Matthew Lewis The Monk Starring Michael Pennington, Sorcha Cusack, Emily Morgan, Christopher Douglas, Brian Smith, Jenny Funnell, Tessa Worsley, Mary Wimbush, Simon Hewitt, Anne Jameson, Alan Thompson, Melinda Walker, Mia Soteriou, Allan McClelland, Garard Green, Graham Blockey, Peter Acre, David Learner and Bernard Brown Part 4. The Dawn of a Female Gothic: The Mysteries of Udolpho by Ann Radcliffe The Mysteries of Udolpho Starring Georgia Groome, Tracy Wiles, John Dougall, Finlay Robertson, Luke Thompson, Natasha Cowley, Stephen Wight, John Bowler, Karen Bartke and Alison Belbin Part 5. Gothic Satire: Northanger Abbey by Jane Austen Northanger Abbey Starring Georgia Groome, Luke Thompson, Tracy Wiles, Kim Wall, Ainsley Howard, Alison Belbin, John Bowler, Karen Bartke, Miriam Margolyes, Stephen Wight, Finlay Robertson, Natasha Cowley, John Dougall, Nick Murchie, Keziah Joseph and Luke MacGregor Part 6. Gothic Legacies In Our Time: Gothic Presented by Melvyn Bragg With Chris Baldick, A N Wilson and Emma Clery © 2025 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd. (P) 2025 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd"

Ann Radcliffe, Horace Walpole, Jane Austen, Matthew Lewis (Author), Full cast, Garard Green, Georgia Groome, John Bowler, Karen Bartke, Louise Welsh, Luke Thompson, Melvyn Bragg, Miriam Margolyes, Rory McGrath, Tracy Wiles (Narrator)

Audiobook

Colette: Gigi, Cheri and more: A BBC Radio Drama Collection

"Writer Colette’s classic works brought to life in a unique audio collection Listen for the first time to this stunning collection of five of Colette’s most celebrated works, compiled and created by BBC Radio. French author and woman of letters, Colette is best known for her 1944 novella Gigi, which became the stage musical launching the career of Audrey Hepburn. Known for her frank, direct and honest way of writing about women and female friendships, Colette’s stories champion the female perspective and all feature strong women protagonists. Considered immoral and shocking at the time, her works are now cherished as a fresh insight into the female experience of the era and she is celebrated for the sheer quality of her writing. This exclusive collection includes, Gigi, Cheri, Claudine at School, The Vagabond and Sido and features performances from Lindsay Duncan (Sherlock, Starter for 10, Doctor Who), Paul Ritter (Friday Night Dinner), Frances Barber, Brigit Forsyth and Dame Peggy Ashcroft. Also included is a bonus edition of In Our Time, hosted by Melvyn Bragg as he and guests discuss Colette, her life, her works and her significant cultural impact. In the classic Gigi, we follow the story of a young woman in Paris, who is being groomed by her grandmother for the life of a courtesan. Cheri is a semi-autobiographical story following an enduring love affair between a courtesan and a man half her age. Claudine at School is heavy with erotic over tones, and this full cast dramatisation explores the life of the enchanting Claudine as she navigates her journey to womanhood. The Vagabond tells the story of a divorcée dancer in a Paris music hall, she is pursued by a wealthy admirer. Will she allow herself to fall in love a second time? Finally, Dame Peggy Ashcroft narrates Sido, based on Colette’s memories of her own mother. Text copyright © Colette 1900 (Claudine at School), 1910 (Vagabond), 1920 (Cheri), 1929 (Sido), 1944 (Gigi) Gigi Translated from the French and adapted by Barbara Bray Produced by Raymond Raikes Cast: Margaret Robertson, Margaret Rawlings, Carol Marsh, Robert Hardy, Hilda Kriseman, Ian Thompson, Isabel Jeans Cheri Directed by Pauline Harris Cast: Lindsay Duncan, Joseph Millson, Frances Barber, Brigit Forsyth, Laura Harding, Conrad Nelson, Judith Davis Claudine at School Adapted by Yvonne Mitchell Produced and directed by Liane Aukin Cast: Fidelis Morgan, Rosalind Adams, Anne Rosenfeld, Jean Rogers, Nigel Lambert, Diana Bishop, Joan Matheson, Carole Hayman, Haydn Jones, Pamela Moiseiwitsch, Shane Briant, Michael Harbour, Peter Howell, Timothy Bateson, Edward Kelsey The Vagabond Dramatised by Charlotte Cory Directed by Mary Peate Cast: Clare Higgins, Paul Ritter, Allan Corduner, David Thorpe, Jasmine Hyde Sido Abridged by B. J. Salmon Read by Dame Peggy Ashcroft In our Time – Colette Presented by Melvyn Bragg. Text copyright © Colette 1900 (Claudine at School), 1910 (Vagabond), 1920 (Cheri), 1929 (Sido), 1944 (Gigi) ©2025 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd (P)2025 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd"

Colette Avital (Author), Brigit Forsyth, Clare Higgins, Frances Barber, Full Cast, Joseph Millson, Lindsay Duncan, Melvyn Bragg, Paul Ritter, Robert Hardy (Narrator)

Audiobook

In Our Time: 25 Defining Ideas of Christianity: A BBC Radio 4 Collection

"Melvyn Bragg and guests chart the development of Christian thought, looking at 25 fundamental concepts that emerged throughout history 'In Our Time is a digital Library of Alexandria, a rich seam of commute-enhancing, dinner-party-reviving wisdom' The Economist Launched into the Thursday morning 'death slot' in 1988, In Our Time defied expectations to become one of Radio 4's best-loved and most popular programmes. In the 25 years it has been on air, it has built up an audience of over 2 million listeners and covered over 1,000 topics, from the Berlin Conference to bird migration. This specially curated collection sees Melvyn Bragg and his panel of experts considering some of the central tenets of the Christian faith. Its wide-ranging scope incorporates key concepts including Heaven, Hell and Purgatory, angels and devils, prayers and miracles, the Fall of Man, the Apocalypse, the Trinity and the Nicene Creed. Also discussed are the most significant historical developments that shaped and influenced Christianity today, among them Gnosticism, Deism, Calvinism and Fundamentalism, the ontological argument, The Book of Common Prayer, papal infallibility and the Rapture. Full of fascinating ideas and lively, accessible discussions, this comprehensive compendium will delight religious scholars, theologians and autodidacts alike. Production credits Presented by Melvyn Bragg Produced by Thomas Morris, Simon Tillotson, Julia Johnson First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 on the following dates: Part I: Key Concepts The Trinity 13 March 2014 With Janet Soskice, Martin Palmer and Graham Ward Heaven 22 December 2005 With Valery Rees, Martin Palmer and John Carey Angels 24 March 2005 With Martin Palmer, Valery Rees and John Haldane The Devil 11 December 2003 With Martin Palmer, Alison Rowlands and David Wootton Hell 21 December 2006 With Martin Palmer, Margaret Kean and Neil MacGregor The Fall 8 April 2004 With Martin Palmer, Griselda Pollock and John Carey Prayer 23 December 1999 With Russell Stannard and Andrew Samuels Miracles 25 September 2008 With Martin Palmer, Janet Soskice and Justin Champion Redemption 13 March 2003 With Richard Harries, Janet Soskice and Stephen Mulhall Duty 13 November 2003 With Angie Hobbs, Annabel Brett and Anthony Grayling The Apocalypse 17 July 2003 With Martin Palmer, Marina Benjamin and Justin Champion The Nicene Creed 27 December 2007 With Martin Palmer, Caroline Humfress and Andrew Louth Purgatory 25 May 2017 With Laura Ashe, Matthew Treherne and Helen Foxhall Forbes Part II: Historical Developments Gnosticism 2 May 2013 With Martin Palmer, Caroline Humfress and Alastair Logan The Ontological Argument 27 September 2012 With John Haldane, Peter Millican and Clare Carlisle Medieval Pilgrimage 18 February 2021 With Miri Rubin, Kathryn Rudy and Anthony Bale The Book of Common Prayer 17 October 2013 With Diarmaid MacCulloch, Alexandra Walsham and Martin Palmer Deism 8 October 2020 With Richard Serjeantson, Katie East and Thomas Ahnert Calvinism 25 February 2010 With Justin Champion, Susan Hardman Moore and Diarmaid MacCulloch Papal Infallibility 10 January 2019 With Tom O'Loughlin, Rebecca Rist and Miles Pattenden The Rapture 26 September 2019 With Elizabeth Phillips, Crawford Gribben and Nicholas Guyatt The Oxford Movement 13 April 2006 With Sheridan Gilley, Frances Knight and Simon Skinner The Age of Doubt 9 March 2000 With A N Wilson and Victoria Glendinning Science and Religion 25 January 2001 With Stephen Jay Gould, John Haldane and Hilary Rose Fundamentalism 22 April 1999 With Karen Armstrong and Tariq Ali © 2024 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd. (P) 2024 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd."

Melvyn Bragg (Author), Melvyn Bragg, Various (Narrator)

Audiobook

Alfred Lord Tennyson: In Memoriam, Idylls of the King, Maud & more: A BBC Radio Collection

"A definitive collection of Tennyson’s finest works Alfred Lord Tennyson is one of Britain’s greatest and most popular poets. Even during his lifetime, he was considered a national institution: Queen Victoria appointed him Poet Laureate in 1850, a position he held for 42 years, and in 1884 he became the first writer to be granted a baronetcy. In a long and fruitful career, he penned numerous classic works, and this BBC Radio collection showcases some of the very best. We begin with two of his masterpieces, dramatised by award-winning poet Michael Symmons Roberts. The Idylls of the King is an extraordinary epic poem that infuses the legend of King Arthur with a passionate intensity. Told here in five acts, it stars Tim Pigott-Smith. Considered one of the finest elegies, In Memoriam was written in response to the sudden death of his friend Arthur Hallam. This drama weaves the peerless poem into the story behind it, and stars Holliday Grainger, James Cooney and Ashley Margolis. Crossing the Bar plunges us into Tennyson’s stirring sea-narratives, with sea-songs performed by a cappella trio Coope, Boyes and Simpson. It includes the poems ‘The Kraken’, ‘The Sea Fairies’, ‘Enoch Arden’, ‘The Voyage of Maeldune’ and ‘Crossing the Bar’ - read by John Dougall, Rachel Bavidge, Sam Dale, Jasmine Callan, Stuart McLoughlin and Joseph Kloska. In Maud, Tennyson’s dark, lyrical verses tell of a disturbed young man roaming the windswept hills, madly in love and haunted by loss. Dramatised for radio in 1969, Harold brings to life the story of England’s last Anglo-Saxon King, starring Gabriel Woolf. Next up are readings of Tennyson’s best-loved poems, including seven written in the language of his native Lincolnshire and introduced by his great-grandson Hallam Tennyson. ‘Aylmer’s Field’, his Victorian version of the Romeo and Juliet story, is read by Andrew Sachs; while Peggy Ashcroft reads his celebrated lyrical ballad ‘The Lady of Shalott’. ‘The Lotos-Eaters’, inspired by the tale of Odysseus and his mariners, is read by Sir John Gielgud. ‘The Northern Farmer’, ‘The Parson’s Daughter’, ‘The Church Warden and the Curate’, ‘Owd Roa,’ ‘The Village Wife’, ‘The Northern Cobbler’ and ‘The Spinster’s Sweet-Arts’ are read by Edward Campion and Mary Wimbush. Lastly, ‘The Charge of the Light Brigade’ is read by Alfred Badel, and ‘The Ode on the Death of the Duke of Wellington’, read by the poet's grandson Sir Charles Tennyson. We conclude with a pair of fascinating documentaries exploring the poet’s life and work. Searching for Alfred in the Shadow of Tennyson sees Ruth Padel investigating the man behind the image, while In Our Time: Tennyson’s In Memoriam finds Melvyn Bragg discussing the poet’s moving meditation on love and death. First published 1830 (‘The Kraken’, ‘The Sea-Fairies), 1832 (‘The Lady of Shalott’, ‘The Lotos-Eaters’), 1833 (‘Fatima’), 1850 (‘In Memoriam’), 1852 (‘Ode on the Death of the Duke of Wellington’), 1854 (‘The Charge of the Light Brigade’), 1855 (‘Maud’), 1859-1885 (Idylls of the King), 1864 (‘Enoch Arden’, ‘The Northern Farmer’), 1876 (Harold), 1880 (‘The Voyage of Maeldune’, ‘The Village Wife’, ‘The Northern Cobbler’), 1885 (‘The Spinster’s Sweet-Arts’), 1889 (‘Crossing the Bar’, ‘Owd Roa’), 1891 (Alymer’s Field), 1892 (‘The Church-Warden and the Curate’) © 2024 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd. (P) 2024 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd"

Alfred Tennyson (Author), Andrew Sachs, Charles Tennyson, Full Cast, Hallam Tennyson, Holliday Grainger, John Sir Gielgud, Jonathan Keeble, Mary Wimbush, Melvyn Bragg, Peggy Ashcroft, Rachel Bavidge, Ruth Padel, Tim Pigott-Smith (Narrator)

Audiobook

In Our Time: 25 Perspectives on the Visual Arts: A BBC Radio 4 Collection

"Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss 25 explorations of the visual arts, including artistic and architectural styles, historic movements, notable artworks and visual artists Radio 4's In Our Time has established itself at the pinnacle of essential conversation on a wide range of subjects from science, history, philosophy and the arts. The programme, which celebrates its 25th anniversary in 2023, is presented by Melvyn Bragg with contributors from the diverse worlds of academia. Opening with four contextual episodes - The Artist, Imagination, The Muses, and Architecture and Power - this thematic anthology contains 25 programmes on the history of visual art. Included are artistic styles and movements, from Avant Garde to Bohemianism, and great cultural figures such as Hans Holbein the Younger, Katsushika Hokusai, Frida Kahlo, Michelangelo and William Morris. Also featured are episodes on Baroque, Bauhaus and Surrealism, as well as such iconic artworks as Delacroix's Liberty Leading the People, Turner's The Fighting Temeraire, Munch's The Scream and Picasso's Guernica. How did the artist become a special kind of human being? Why is architecture such a powerful form of expression? These, and many other topics, are discussed in this release. Whether you're an arts student or simply want to broaden your horizons, this enlightening and entertaining compilation will provoke thoughts and debate long after you have finished listening to it. Production credits Presented by Melvyn Bragg Produced by Natalia Fernandez, John Goudie, Thomas Morris, Luke Mulhall and Simon Tillotson First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 on the following dates: Part I: Context The Artist 28 March 2002 Imagination 28 November 2002 The Muses 19 May 2016 Architecture and Power 31 October 2002 Part II: Styles and Movements Cave Art 24 September 2020 Vitruvius and De Architectura 15 March 2012 The Baroque Movement 20 November 2008 Bohemianism 9 October 2003 The Decadent Movement 18 November 2021 Bauhaus 10 November 2022 Surrealism 15 November 2001 The Avant Garde's Decline and Fall in the 20th Century 25 February 1999 Part III: Visual Artists Albrecht Dürer 12 November 2020 Holbein at the Tudor Court 15 October 2015 Giorgio Vasari's Lives of the Artists 27 May 2010 Hokusai 30 March 2017 Berthe Morisot 13 October 2022 Frida Kahlo 9 July 2015 William Morris 5 July 2018 Part IV: Art and Architecture The Lindisfarne Gospels 20 February 2003 Judith beheading Holofernes 14 February 2019 Angkor Wat 23 June 2022 The Sistene Chapel 31 March 2022 The School of Athens 26 March 2009 Bruegel's The Fight Between Carnival and Lent 15 January 2015 Delacroix's Liberty Leading the People 20 October 2011 The Fighting Temeraire 10 November 2016 Munch and The Scream 18 March 2010 Picasso's Guernica 2 November 2017 © 2023 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd. (P) 2023 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd."

Melvyn Bragg (Author), Melvyn Bragg, Various (Narrator)

Audiobook

In Our Time: 25 Figures and Events in Christian History: A BBC Radio 4 Collection

"Melvyn Bragg and guests chart 1,500 years of Christianity through its most influential movements, events and historical figures In Our Time has been the cornerstone of broadcasting on BBC Radio 4 since its launch in 1998. Presented by one of Britain's greatest champions of the arts, Melvyn Bragg, the show explores ideas across history, religion, philosophy, science and culture. With a vast array of contributors from the world of academia, such as Mary Beard, Angie Hobbs and Diarmaid MacCulloch, it is one of Radio 4's most successful programmes. Collected in this thematic anthology are 25 episodes focusing on notable events and individuals in Christian history, from the third century AD to the founding of Methodism, that have transformed the history of the world. Included are saints such as St Paul, Mary Magdalene, St Augustine, St Hilda, St Cuthbert, the Venerable Bede and St Thomas Aquinas, and other notable Christian figures, such as John Wyclif, William Cecil, John Foxe, Titus Oates and Dietrich Bonhoeffer. Also featured are programmes on key religious movements, among them Catharism, the Jesuits, Greyfriars and Blackfriars, as well as major historical events including the Schism, the Spanish Inquisition, the Diet of Worms and the Dissolution of the Monasteries. Packed with thought-provoking facts and informed debate, this fascinating collection of specially collated programmes will captivate In Our Time fans, students of religion and anyone with an interest in theology and the Christian church. Production credits Presented by Melvyn Bragg Produced by Victoria Brignell, Julia Johnson, Thomas Morris and Simon Tillotson First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 on the following dates: Part I: Saints St Paul 28 May 2009 Mary Magdalene 25 February 2016 Augustine's Confessions 15 March 2018 St Hilda 5 April 2007 Saint Cuthbert 28 January 2021 The Venerable Bede 25 November 2004 St Thomas Aquinas 17 September 2009 Part II: Other Christian Figures Wyclif and the Lollards 16 June 2011 William Cecil 7 March 2019 Foxe's Book of Martyrs 18 November 2010 Robert Boyle 12 June 2014 Titus Oates and his 'Popish Plot' 12 May 2016 Dietrich Bonhoeffer 27 September 2018 Part III: Religious Movements Arianism 15 April 2021 Catharism 17 January 2022 Greyfriars and Blackfriars 10 November 2005 Covenanters 12 March 2020 The Jesuits 18 January 2007 John Wesley and Methodism 10 December 2020 Part IV: Historical Events Early Christian Martyrdom 28 April 2022 The Pelagian Controversy 21 April 2011 The Schism 16 October 2003 The Spanish Inquisition 22 June 2006 The Diet of Worms 12 October 2006 The Dissolution of the Monasteries 27 March 2008 © 2024 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd. (P) 2024 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd."

Melvyn Bragg (Author), Melvyn Bragg, Various (Narrator)

Audiobook

Goethe: A BBC Radio Drama Collection: Six Full-Cast Dramatisations including Faust, The Sorrows of Y

"A collection of seminal dramatised pieces by the great German polymath Johann Wolfgang Goethe was a colossus of German literature and a true Renaissance man. A novelist, dramatist, poet, humanist, scientist and philosopher, he wrote the first international bestseller, The Sorrows of Young Werther, and his epic masterpiece Faust is one of the most famous and celebrated dramas of all time. We open this anthology with a dramatisation of Faust, which tells of a magus with an insatiable thirst for knowledge who makes a pact with the Devil. Featuring atmospheric music performed by the King's College Choir and the BBC Singers, it stars Simon Callow as Faust, with Ronald Pickup as Mephistopheles. It is followed by The Sorrows of Young Werther, Goethe's tale of a passionate young artist at odds with society, who falls hopelessly in love with his friend's fiancée. Dramatised by award-winning playwright Hattie Naylor and introduced by Cambridge University lecturer Dr Charlotte Lee, it stars Joel MacCormack, Daisy Edgar-Jones and Jack Farthing. Originally published in 1795 under the title 'The Green Snake and the Beautiful Lily', A Fairy Tale is a magical, mysterious and strikingly modern story whose images foreshadow the poetry of surrealism. David Davis is the Teller of the Tale, with Rosalind Shanks as The Beautiful Lily and Mary Morris as The Serpent. Next up are a trio of historical tragedies: Egmont, set in 16th century Brussels and with a score specially composed by Ludwig van Beethoven; Iphigenia in Tauris, a reworking of the ancient Greek play by Euripides; and Torquato Tasso, a verse drama about the eponymous 16th century Italian poet and courtier and his descent into madness. All three feature superb ensemble casts including Paul Daneman, John Rye, Maureen O'Brien, Anton Lesser, Michael Pennington and David Suchet. To conclude, four bonus documentaries examine Goethe's life, work and influence. In Search of Faust sees poet and singer Twm Morys exploring why artists have been fascinated by this unlikely hero for the last 500 years; while Spotlight: The Sorrows of Young Werther looks at the tragic protagonist of Goethe's 1774 epistolary novel. In Our Time: Goethe and the Science of Enlightenment finds Melvyn Bragg and guests assessing Goethe's scientific legacy, and in The Forum - Goethe: The story of colour, Bridget Kendal discusses his monumental book The Theory of Colours with art historian Alexandra Loske, writer Victoria Finlay and designer Odette Steele. First published 1774 (The Sorrows of Young Werther), 1779 (Iphigenia in Tauris), 1788 (Egmont), 1790 (Torquato Tasso), 1795 ('The Green Snake and the Beautiful Lily), 1808 (Faust, Part One), 1832 (Faust, Part Two) Faust: Dramatisation for radio (c) Anthony Vivis 1982. All rights reserved. Torquato Tasso: Translation (c) Alan and Sandy Brownjohn 1982, all rights reserved. Production credits Written by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe Faust The Sorrows of Young Werther A Fairy Tale Egmont Iphigenia in Tauris Torquato Tasso In Search of Faust Presented by Twm Morys Spotlight: The Sorrows of Young Werther In Our Time: Goethe and the Science of the Enlightenment Presented by Melvyn Bragg With Nicholas Boyle and Simon Schaffer The Forum - Goethe: The story of colour Presented by Bridget Kendall With Alexandra Loske, Victoria Finlay and Odette Steele © 2023 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd. (P) 2023 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd"

Johann Wolfgang Von Goethes (Author), Anton Lesser, Daisy Edgar-Jones, David Suchet, Eileen Aitkin, Frances Jeater, Full Cast, Gabriel Woolf, Jack Farthing, Joel Maccormack, Melvyn Bragg, Ronald Pickup, Simon Callow (Narrator)

Audiobook

In Our Time: 25 Iconic Poets and Poems in English: A BBC Radio 4 Collection

"Melvyn Bragg and guests analyse 25 key poets and literary works, tracing the evolution of poetry over 550 years 'The best programme coming out of the entire corporation these days' Sunday Telegraph Since its debut in 1998, In Our Time has amassed a dedicated following of more than 2 million listeners. Hosted by Melvyn Bragg, with a panel of guest experts, each show features a plethora of fascinating facts and inspirational discourse on topics ranging from democracy to dark matter. This specially curated collection celebrates the rich diversity of poetry in English, focussing on 25 major works and writers from the mediaeval era to the 20th Century. Opening with a programme on Geoffrey Chaucer, often called the father of English literature, it encompasses some of the greatest poets of all time, including John Donne, Pope, Milton, Emily Dickinson, Christina Rossetti, W B Yeats and Wilfred Owen. Among the influential poems discussed are Shakespeare's sonnets, Blake's Songs of Innocence and of Experience, Coleridge's 'The Rime of the Ancient Mariner', Wordsworth's 'The Prelude' and the epic that made Byron famous, 'Childe Harold's Pilgrimage'. Also featured is a bonus episode, 'The Sonnet', exploring the most enduring form in the poet's armoury and how its fourteen lines have exercised poetic minds. Packed with stimulating ideas and spellbinding rhetoric, this absorbing anthology is guaranteed to bring unfettered enjoyment to all lovers of the written word. Production credits Presented by Melvyn Bragg Produced by Simon Tillotson, Thomas Morris and Natalia Fernandez First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 on the following dates: Chaucer 9 February 2006 Piers Plowman 29 October 2020 Sir Gawain and the Green Knight 13 December 2018 Shakespeare's Sonnets 24 June 2021 John Donne 12 January 2023 Milton 7 March 2002 Pope 9 November 2006 Songs of Innocence and of Experience 23 June 2016 Lyrical Ballads 8 March 2012 The Rime of the Ancient Mariner 4 March 2021 Childe Harold's Pilgrimage 6 January 2011 The Prelude 22 November 2007 John Clare 9 February 2017 Emily Dickinson 11 May 2017 Christina Rossetti 1 December 2011 The Charge of the Light Brigade 10 January 2008 Tennyson's In Memoriam 30 June 2011 Aurora Leigh 24 March 2016 William Morris 5 July 2018 Gerard Manley Hopkins 21 March 2019 Walt Whitman 27 April 2023 Thomas Hardy's Poetry 13 January 2022 Yeats and Mysticism 31 January 2002 Yeats and Irish Politics 17 April 2008 Wilfred Owen 27 October 2022 The Sonnet 21 June 2001 © 2023 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd. (P) 2023 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd."

Melvyn Bragg (Author), Melvyn Bragg, Various (Narrator)

Audiobook

In Our Time: 25 Theories and Thinkers in the History of Mathematics: A BBC Radio 4 Collection

"Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss 25 pivotal concepts, theorists and developments that have advanced the science of mathematics 'Might be the best radio programme ever' Oliver Burkeman, The Guardian In Our Time is a Radio 4 phenomenon, a knowledge juggernaut that has informed and entertained over 2 million listeners each week since its first broadcast in 1998. In its 25 years on air, it has covered an astonishing array of topics, from the Second Law of Thermodynamics to the Sistine Chapel. Beginning with three introductory episodes, this specially curated collection explores 25 of the most important individuals, ideas and discoveries that have transformed our understanding of mathematics over the past 5,000 years. We learn how Indian mathematics provided the foundations for much of our modern thinking, discover why Euclid's Elements is the most influential textbook ever written and hear of the epic feud between Sir Isaac Newton and Gottfried Leibniz over who invented calculus. Plus, we are introduced to influential mathematicians including Pythagoras, Blaise Pascal, Emmy Noether and Alan Turing, as well as key concepts, problems and puzzles such as negative numbers, infinity, Fermat's Last Theorem, the Poincaré conjecture and P v NP. Enlightening, thought-provoking and inspiring, these wide-ranging discussions make abstruse ideas accessible and demystify mathematics, showing how it shaped our world and made us who we are. Production credits Presented by Melvyn Bragg Produced by Simon Tillotson, Thomas Morris and Natalia Fernandez First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 on the following dates: Part I: Context Mathematics 6 May 1999 Mathematics and Platonism 11 January 2001 Mathematics' Unintended Consequences 11 February 2010 Part II: History of Mathematics Indian Mathematics 14 December 2006 Euclid's Elements 28 April 2016 Maths in the Early Islamic World 16 February 2017 Renaissance Maths 2 June 2005 Calculus 24 September 2009 Part III: Influential Mathematicians Pythagoras 10 December 2009 Archimedes 25 January 2007 Blaise Pascal 19 September 2013 Emilie du Châtelet 4 February 2021 Carl Friedrich Gauss 30 November 2017 Ada Lovelace 6 March 2008 Emmy Noether 24 January 2019 Alan Turing 15 October 2020 Part IV: Key Concepts Zero 13 May 2004 Prime Numbers 12 January 2006 Negative Numbers 9 March 2006 e 25 September 2014 Pi 2 September 2004 Imaginary Numbers 23 September 2010 Infinity 23 October 2003 Part V: Problems and Puzzles Zeno's Paradoxes 22 September 2016 Fermat's Last Theorem 25 October 2012 The Poincaré Conjecture 2 November 2006 Gödel's Incompleteness Theorems 9 October 2008 P v NP 5 November 2015 © 2023 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd. (P) 2023 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd."

Melvyn Bragg (Author), Melvyn Bragg, Various (Narrator)

Audiobook

In Our Time: 25 Concepts and Theories in the History of Physics: A BBC Radio 4 Collection

"Melvyn Bragg and guests explore the history of physics through its most important ideas and hypotheses 'In Our Time is in a class of its own' New York Times Eclectic, erudite and entertaining, In Our Time is one of Radio 4's most successful programmes, regularly attracting an audience of over 2 million for its discussions on every subject under the sun: from oceanography to Ovid. In this special themed collection, Melvyn Bragg is joined by guest experts including Simon Schaffer, John Gribbin, Jim Al-Khalili and Sir Martin Rees to discuss 25 of the key laws, principles and problems of physics. Here are examinations of major concepts including plasma, radiation, matter and antimatter and the Second Law of Thermodynamics, as well as discourses on historical theories such as Zeno's paradoxes, the speed of light and relativity. Also featured are analyses of modern developments in physics, including the discovery and growing understanding of the proton, neutron and electron, the controversial breakthrough of nuclear technology, and the search for the holy grail of 20th century physics: the Grand Unified Theory. Physicists, students of science and knowledge seekers will savour these wide-ranging, comprehensive and accessible discussions, which serve as a springboard to dive deeper into the fascinating fundamental principles that govern our universe. Production credits Presented by Melvyn Bragg Produced by Thomas Morris and Simon Tillotson First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 on the following dates: Part I: Major Concepts States of Matter 3 April 2014 Heat 4 December 2008 Absolute Zero 7 March 2013 The Second Law of Thermodynamics 16 December 2004 Plasma 13 October 2016 Magnetism 29 September 2005 Radiation 12 November 2009 The Physics of Time 18 December 2008 Quantum Gravity 22 February 2001 Antimatter 4 October 2007 The Graviton 24 November 2005 Optics 1 March 2007 With Simon Schaffer, Jim Bennett and Emily Winterburn Part II: Historical Theories Zeno's Paradoxes 22 September 2016 The Speed of Light 30 November 2006 The Laws of Motion 3 April 2008 Kinetic Theory 23 May 2019 Relativity 6 June 2013 The Physics of Reality 2 May 2002 Part III: Modern physics Grand Unified Theory 24 February 2000 The Electron 29 September 2022 Nuclear Physics 10 January 2002 Cosmic Rays 16 May 2013 The Proton 26 April 2018 The Neutron 14 April 2016 The Neutrino 14 April 2011 © 2023 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd. (P) 2023 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd."

Melvyn Bragg (Author), Melvyn Bragg, Various (Narrator)

Audiobook

In Our Time: 25 Explorations of Space: A BBC Radio 4 Collection

"Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss the cosmos, from the origins of the universe to dark matter and dark energy 'Consistently superb' John Banville In Our Time is a linchpin of the Radio 4 schedule, attracting over 2 million listeners a week since its launch in 1998. Erudite, edifying and enlightening, it tackles serious ideas succinctly, providing fascinating insight into subjects ranging from the Fibonacci Sequence to Frida Kahlo. In this special thematic anthology, we traverse the solar system, the galaxies and the multiverse, voyaging across space to explore 25 celestial objects and phenomena. Included are programmes on the universe, the sun, the moon, the stars and the planets - among them our near neighbours, Venus and Mars. Also featured are discussions on comets, asteroids and black holes, as well as eclipses, exoplanets and the mysterious, invisible substance known as 'dark matter'. Topping and tailing the collection are episodes dealing with the science of astronomy, examining Ptolemy's geocentric theory of the universe and the relationship between astronomy and the British Empire. Hosted by veteran broadcaster Melvyn Bragg, with contributions from expert scholars and academics including Sir Martin Rees, John Gribbin, Carolin Crawford and Sir Roger Penrose, these captivating colloquies will inspire anyone with a sense of wonder and a thirst for knowledge. Production credits Presented by Melvyn Bragg Produced by Natalia Fernandez, Thomas Morris, Simon Tillotson, Julia Johnson and Phil Tinline First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 on the following dates: Ptolemy and Ancient Astronomy 17 November 2011 The Multiverse 21 February 2008 The Universe's Origins 20 May 1999 The Universe's Shape 7 February 2002 The Age of the Universe 3 March 2011 Galaxies 29 June 2006 The Sun 10 July 2014 The Moon 3 November 2011 Eclipses 31 December 2020 The Planets 27 May 2004 Venus 27 December 2018 Mars 11 January 2007 Saturn 14 January 2016 The Kuiper Belt 2 March 2017 Exoplanets 3 October 2013 The Life of Stars 27 March 2003 The Death of Stars 9 June 2022 Black Holes 12 April 2001 Asteroids 3 November 2005 Comets 17 January 2013 The Cool Universe 6 May 2010 Dark Matter 12 March 2015 Dark Energy 17 March 2005 The Vacuum of Space 30 April 2009 Solar Wind 23 January 2020 Astronomy and Empire 4 May 2006 © 2023 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd. (P) 2023 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd."

Melvyn Bragg (Author), Melvyn Bragg, Various (Narrator)

Audiobook

In Our Time: 25 Journeys Through the History of the Islamic World: A BBC Radio 4 Collection

"Melvyn Bragg and guests explore the history of the Islamic world through its religion, thinkers, poetry, empire and rulers 'An ever-growing library of wisdom' The Economist Since 1998, In Our Time has been the go-to radio programme for knowledge seekers and inquiring minds. Tackling big topics with a light touch, it has introduced weekly audiences of over 2 million to subjects ranging from Romulus and Remus to the Renaissance. This special themed collection provides a focussed, wide-ranging introduction to 25 of the ideas and events that shaped the Islamic world, highlighting the numerous connections between Islamdom and the West throughout history. We learn the origins of Sharia law, and how prophets became important to Islam, Judaism and Christianity alike; discover how the Translation Movement introduced the Arabic world to Greek philosophy, medicine, engineering and maths; and find out how settlers and invaders from both East and West transformed and refashioned the civilisations they touched, from the Arab Conquest, Muslim Spain and the Volga Vikings to the Third Crusade and the Siege of Vienna. Here, too, are key scholars and writers, among them al-Kindi, the first significant thinker to reconcile philosophy and Islam; Averroes, who worked to integrate Islamic theology with the rationality of Aristotle; Maimonides, a titan of Jewish intellectual history who was much influenced by the Islamic world; and Rumi, the Persian poet and Sufi mystic whose work transcends borders of time, faith, language and geography. Hosted by Melvyn Bragg with a panel of experts including Mona Siddiqui, Jim Al-Khalili, Tariq Ali and Amira Bennison, these enlightening, accessible discussions will illuminate, inspire and surprise. Production credits Presented by Melvyn Bragg Produced by Thomas Morris, Simon Tillotson, Victoria Brignell First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 on the following dates: Part I: Religion Islamic Law and its Origins 5 May 2011 Sunni and Shia Islam 25 June 2009 Prophecy 13 June 2013 Part II: History of Ideas Maths in the Early Islamic World 16 February 2017 The Translation Movement 2 October 2008 Al-Kindi 28 June 2012 al-Biruni 10 June 2010 Avicenna 8 November 2007 Al-Ghazali 19 March 2015 Averroes 5 October 2006 Maimonides 17 February 2011 Ibn Khaldun 4 February 2010 Part III: Literature Antarah ibn Shaddad 28 February 2019 Rumi's Poetry 11 February 2016 Part IV: Empire The Sassanid Empire 13 December 2007 The Arab Conquests 26 June 2008 Muslim Spain 21 November 2002 The Battle of Tours 16 January 2014 The Volga Vikings 11 November 2010 The Almoravid Empire 3 May 2018 Third Crusade 29 November 2001 The Siege of Vienna 14 May 2009 Part V: Rulers The Abbasid Caliphs 2 February 2006 The Mamluks 26 September 2013 The Safavid Dynasty 12 January 2012 © 2023 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd. (P) 2023 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd."

Melvyn Bragg (Author), Melvyn Bragg, Various (Narrator)

Audiobook

Audiobooks Narrated by Melvyn Bragg