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 成人快手 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鈥檙e looking to explore the history of religion, from Buddhism鈥檚 early teachings to the Protestant Reformation.
If you鈥檙e 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鈥檚 famous Sunflowers. From Gothic architecture to the works of Shakespeare, each episode of In Our Time offers new insight into humanity鈥檚 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鈥檚 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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Lysistrata
Thu 11 Apr 2024
Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss Aristophanes' comedy in which a sex strike brings peace.
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Nikola Tesla
Thu 4 Apr 2024
Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss the celebrated Serbian-American inventor.
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The Kalevala
Thu 28 Mar 2024
Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss the epic poem that helped build the Finnish nation.
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Julian the Apostate
Thu 21 Mar 2024
Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss the emperor who aimed to return Christian Rome to paganism
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The Waltz
Thu 14 Mar 2024
Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss the impact of the waltz on British society and culture.
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The Mokrani Revolt
Thu 7 Mar 2024
Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss a major Algerian uprising against French rule in 1871.
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Heisenberg's Uncertainty Principle
Thu 29 Feb 2024
Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss Heisenberg's key role at the outset of quantum mechanics
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The Sack of Rome 1527
Thu 22 Feb 2024
Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss the Holy Roman Emperor's army's notorious attack on Romans
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Alice's Adventures in Wonderland
Thu 15 Feb 2024
Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss Lewis Carroll's fantastical tale inspired by Alice Liddell
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Hormones
Thu 8 Feb 2024
Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss the chemical signals that control the ways our bodies work
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The Hanseatic League
Thu 1 Feb 2024
Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss the medieval trading network the Hanseatic League.
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Panpsychism
Thu 25 Jan 2024
Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss the idea that fundamental particles have consciousness.
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Nefertiti
Thu 18 Jan 2024
Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss the life and impact of ancient Egypt's best-known queen.
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Condorcet
Thu 11 Jan 2024
Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss one of the last great figures of the Enlightenment.
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Twelfth Night, or What You Will
Thu 28 Dec 2023
Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss Shakespeare's great comedy of love, desire and marriage.
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Vincent van Gogh
Thu 21 Dec 2023
Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss the great Dutch painter of Sunflowers and Starry Nights.
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Tiberius
Thu 14 Dec 2023
Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss the man born in Republican Rome who became second Emperor.
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Karl Barth
Thu 7 Dec 2023
Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss the influential Swiss protestant theologian.
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Edgar Allan Poe
Thu 30 Nov 2023
Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss the author of the Fall of the House of Usher.
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Marguerite de Navarre
Thu 23 Nov 2023
Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss writer and Renaissance queen Marguerite de Navarre.
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The Theory of the Leisure Class
Thu 16 Nov 2023
Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss Veblen on conspicuous consumption and conspicuous leisure.
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The Barbary Corsairs
Thu 9 Nov 2023
Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss the impact of North African privateers on law and language
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Aristotle's Nicomachean Ethics
Thu 2 Nov 2023
Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss Aristotle's ideas on how to live a good life.
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Germinal
Thu 26 Oct 2023
Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss Emile Zola's novel, set in a French miners' strike.
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Julian of Norwich
Thu 19 Oct 2023
Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss the medieval anchoress and her Revelations of Divine Love.
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The Federalist Papers
Thu 12 Oct 2023
Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss Hamilton, Madison and Jay's urgings for a US Constitution.
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Plankton
Thu 5 Oct 2023
Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss the tiny lifeforms that sustain so much life on earth.
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The Economic Consequences of the Peace
Thu 28 Sep 2023
Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss Keynes' influential attack on the Treaty of Versailles
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The Seventh Seal
Thu 21 Sep 2023
Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss Bergman's iconic film of a knight playing chess with Death
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Melvyn Bragg talks to Mishal Husain
Thu 21 Sep 2023
To mark his 1000th episode of In Our Time, Melvyn Bragg talks to Mishal Husain.
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