Free Thinking Episodes Episode guide
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Germany: Neil MacGregor, Volker Kutscher, Threepenny Opera
Anne McElvoy explores Germany with Neil MacGregor, Volker Kutscher and Haydn Gwynne.
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The Cultural Revolution
Frank Dikotter, Xiaolu Guo and Xinran discuss the Cultural Revolution with Rana Mitter.
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Revolutionary thinking: Paul Mason, Bryan and Mary Talbot, Dacher Keltner
Paul Mason and Bryan and Mary Talbot discuss Louise Michel with Matthew Sweet.
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Writers Writing about Love
Alain de Botton, Tahmima Anam and AL Kennedy join Anne McElvoy to talk about love in prose
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Olafur Eliasson, Andrey Kurkov, Mary Dejevsky and Zinovy Zinik on Soviet Culture
Philip Dodd talks to artist Olafur Eliasson and novelist Andrey Kurkov.
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Concrete: Marina Lewycka, Yorkshire Sculpture Park, Lynsey Hanley
Matthew Sweet discusses home with Marina Lewycka. Plus art at the Yorkshire Sculpture Park
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TE Lawrence on stage, Jeremy Thorpe, Privacy
Playwright Howard Brenton and director Adrian Noble discuss dramas depicting TE Lawrence.
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Sounds of Shakespeare: Landmark - The Winter's Tale
Sam West, Carol Rutter and Michael Dobson join Matthew Sweet to discuss The Winter's Tale.
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Sicily, The London Library, John Hardyng's Chronicle
Anne McElvoy discusses Sicily. Plus 175 years of the London Library, with Tom Stoppard.
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Slavoj Zizek
Slovenian philosopher Slavoj Zizek offers Philip Dodd his solution to the migrant crisis.
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Landmark: Tarkovsky's Stalker
Matthew Sweet and guests discuss Andrei Tarkovsky's 1979 film Stalker.
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Syrian buildings, Judging Book Prizes, Georgian Literature
Architect Marwa Al-Sabouni talks to Anne McElvoy about Syria's built environment.
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British Conceptual Art, Smart Thinking
Philip Dodd and artist Bruce McLean on the history and politics of British conceptual art.
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Jonathan Coe and Richard Cameron on Stage at Birmingham Rep
Author Jonathan Coe and playwright Richard Cameron join Matthew Sweet at Birmingham Rep.
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Economics: Liam Byrne, John Redwood, Luke Johnson, Juliet Michaelson and Matt Wolf
Anne McElvoy considers new books from Thomas Piketty and Yanis Varoufakis.
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Anders Lustgarten, Saki Stories, Riad Sattouf, Guy Longworth
With Rana Mitter. Including playwright Anders Lustgarten and Saki's satirical stories.
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Evelyn Waugh
Bryony Lavery, Alexander Waugh, Philip Eade and Adam Mars-Jones celebrate Evelyn Waugh.
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Light: Anne Wroe, Dan Flavin at the Ikon, Blackpool Illuminations, The Sun
Ann Wroe joins Anne McElvoy for an exploration of light from Blackpool to the South Downs.
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Jerry Brotton on Elizabethan England and the Islamic World
Jerry Brotton talks to Rana Mitter about Elizabethan England and the Islamic world.
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Suits; Neil LaBute
Shahidha Bari explores the history of suits with Anne McElvoy. Plus dramatist Neil LaBute.
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The Green Man, George Monbiot
Rana Mitter considers the myth of the Green Man and our relationship with the land.
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Alan Clarke's TV Career
Phil Davis, Clio Barnard and Molly Clarke on the TV career of director Alan Clarke.
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Russia and the Arts: Julian Barnes, Roxana Silbert and Suhayla El-Bushra
Anne McElvoy discusses Russian cultural figures on show at the National Portrait Gallery.
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Philosophy: Bryan Magee
Matthew Sweet considers the state of philosophy today.
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Identity in Britain: Martin Parr
Philip Dodd discusses British identity with photographer Martin Parr.
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The Holy Roman Empire, Christianity Today, Iranian Art
Rana Mitter discusses a new book on the Holy Roman Empire and debates Christianity today.
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Javier Marias, Cervantes's Influence, Spanish Culture and Politics
Philips Dodd explores Spanish culture and politics and is joined by novelist Javier Marias
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International Women's Day
Anne McElvoy presents a special edition to mark International Women's Day.
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Botticelli Reimagined, A New Biography of Hitler
Anne McElvoy explores German historians' view of Hitler and reviews Botticelli at the V&A.
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Anger
Philip Dodd considers rage in the politics of the US and India.