In Our Time Podcast
Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss the ideas, people and events that have shaped our world.
Spanning history, religion, culture, science and philosophy, In Our Time from ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ 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.
Episodes to download
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Josephus
Thu 21 May 2015
Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss Flavius Josephus, author of The Jewish War.
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The Lancashire Cotton Famine
Thu 14 May 2015
Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss the Lancashire cotton famine during the American Civil War
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Fanny Burney
Thu 23 Apr 2015
Melvyn Bragg and his guests discuss the work of the 18th-century writer Fanny Burney.
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Matteo Ricci and the Ming Dynasty
Thu 16 Apr 2015
Melvyn Bragg and his guests discuss Matteo Ricci's 16th-century travels in Ming China.
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The California Gold Rush
Thu 2 Apr 2015
Melvyn Bragg and his guests discuss the California Gold Rush of the 1850s.
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The Curies
Thu 26 Mar 2015
Melvyn Bragg and his guests discuss the scientific achievements of the Curie family.
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Al-Ghazali
Thu 19 Mar 2015
Melvyn Bragg and his guests discuss the medieval Islamic thinker Al-Ghazali.
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Dark Matter
Thu 12 Mar 2015
Melvyn Bragg and his guests discuss dark matter, the 'missing mass' of the universe.
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The Eunuch
Thu 26 Feb 2015
Melvyn Bragg and his guests discuss the history and significance of eunuchs.
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The Wealth of Nations
Thu 19 Feb 2015
Melvyn Bragg and his guests discuss Adam Smith's economic treatise The Wealth of Nations.
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The Photon
Thu 12 Feb 2015
Melvyn Bragg and his guests discuss the photon, the fundamental particle of light.
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Ashoka the Great
Thu 5 Feb 2015
Melvyn Bragg and his guests discuss the Indian ruler Ashoka the Great.
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Thucydides
Thu 29 Jan 2015
Melvyn Bragg and his guests discuss the ancient Greek historian Thucydides.
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Phenomenology
Thu 22 Jan 2015
Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss the philosophical movement phenomenology.
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Bruegel's The Fight Between Carnival and Lent
Thu 15 Jan 2015
Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss Bruegel's painting The Fight Between Carnival and Lent.
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Zen
Thu 4 Dec 2014
Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss Zen, a distinctively East Asian form of Buddhism.
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Aesop
Thu 20 Nov 2014
Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss Aesop, legendary author of the famous collection of fables
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Nuclear Fusion
Thu 30 Oct 2014
Melvyn Bragg and his guests discuss the history and science of nuclear fusion.
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The Haitian Revolution
Thu 23 Oct 2014
Melvyn Bragg and his guests discuss the Haitian Revolution of 1791-1804.
In Our Time podcasts
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The In Our Time Listeners' Top 10
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Arts and Ideas podcast
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