Great Lives
By BBC Radio 4
To listen to an audio podcast, mouse over the title and click Play. Open iTunes to download and subscribe to podcasts.
Podcast Description
Biography series exploring the greatest people who ever lived. Matthew Parris interviews an eminent guest and an expert to reveal the truth behind their history heroes.
| Name | Description | Released | Price | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1 |
GreatLives: Razia Sultana 31 Jan 12 | Co-chairman of the Conservative party Sayeeda Warsi tells Matthew Parris why she's fascinated by the much mythologized thirteenth century Indian princess Razia Sultana, who ruled for less than four years in the 1230s but has long been celebrated as the first female Indian Muslim leader. They are joined by writer and expert on India, William Dalrymple. | 1/31/12 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
2 |
GreatLives: Vera Brittain 23 Jan 12 | The pacifist Vera Brittain - who bore witness to the toll of the First World War on her generation - is discussed by her daughter Baroness Shirley Williams and Dr Clare Gerada. Presented by Matthew Parris. | 1/24/12 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
3 |
GreatLives: Gracie Allen 1 Jan 12 | Matthew Parris is joined by the actress Emma Kennedy to explore the life of the American comedienne Gracie Allen. | 1/17/12 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
4 |
GreatLives: Joseph Rotblat 10 Jan 12 | Astronomer Royal Sir Martin Rees tells Matthew Parris why his hero, physicist Joseph Rotblat, lived a "great life". Rotblat was a brilliant physicist who was the only scientist to resign from the Manhattan Project once it became clear that Germany would not make an atomic bomb. Joining them in the studio is Rotblat's friend and colleague Kit Hill. | 1/10/12 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
5 |
GreatLives: Lonnie Donegan 3 Jan 12 | Downton Abbey actor Jim Carter tells Matthew Parris why skiffle king Lonnie Donegan is his hero. Lonnie Donegan is probably best remembered for the novelty hits "My Old Man's a Dustman" and "Does Your Chewing Gum Lose its Flavour? " However, early hits like "Rock Island Line" were instrumental in inspiring the likes of John Lennon, Brian May and Roger Daltrey to perform. | 1/3/12 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
6 |
GreatLives: Ludwig II of Bavaria 27 Dec 11 | Brian Sewell on his long-standing love of "Mad" King Ludwig II of Bavaria, who built the ultimate fantasy castle at Neuschwanstein. Presenter Matthew Parris and contributor Simon Winder find out more... | 12/27/11 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
7 |
GreatLives: Thomas Hobbes 20 Dec 11 | Thomas Hobbes: the writer and psychologist Steven Pinker joins Matthew Parris to discuss the life of the great English philosopher. Noel Malcolm from All Souls College, Oxford provides the expert analyis. Power and violence are themes of the discussion of Hobbes who, Steven Pinker argues, was "perhaps the first cognitive psychologist." | 12/20/11 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
8 |
GreatLives: Ludwig Wittgenstein 13 Dec 11 | Ludwig Wittgenstein, the fascinating and misunderstood genius who changed the course of philosophy, is chosen by writer Raymond Tallis. With biographer Ray Monk, he brings alive this most enigmatic of men and his singular life. And to make sure that they don't get lost in Wittgensteinian thought, presenter Matthew Parris brings along a whistle to blow whenever he feels in danger.. | 12/13/11 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
9 |
GreatLives: Philip K Dick 06 Dec 11 | Actor Michael Sheen (Frost/Nixon; The Queen; Midnight in Paris) explores the life of Philip K Dick, and explains how this enigmatic science-fiction writer has influenced his recent production of Hamlet. | 12/6/11 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
10 |
GreatLives: Shakespeare 30 Aug 11 | The bard himself, William Shakespeare, is nominated for great life status by poetry curator, Daisy Goodwin. Dominic Dromgoole of the Globe Theatre joins Matthew Parris. | 10/7/11 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
11 |
GreatLives: 27.09.11: Gerald Durrell | Great Lives. Former England footballer Graeme le Saux champions the life of conservationist Gerald Durrell. Also joining presenter Matthew Parris is Geralds widow Lee Durrell. | 9/27/11 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
12 |
GreatLives: Hildegard von Bingen 20 Sept 11 | The singer and broadcaster Cerys Matthews tells Matthew Parris why she thinks the life of the 12th century nun, Hildegard von Bingen qualifies as great. | 9/20/11 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
13 |
GreatLives: Lutyens 13 Sept 11 | Edwin Lutyens, architect of New Delhi and the Cenotaph, chosen for Great Lives by Simon Jenkins. Expert advice from Lutyens great grand daughter Jane Ridley and presented by Matthew Parris. | 9/13/11 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
14 |
GreatLives: Hans Fallada 06 Sept 11 | Fast Show comedian Simon Day tells Matthew Parris why he's fascinated by the life of German author Hans Fallada. Matthew is also joined by Fallada's biographer Jenny Williams. | 9/6/11 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
15 |
GreatLives: Eduardo Paolozzi 23 Aug 11 | Restaurateur Antonio Carluccio nominates his friend the sculptor and forefather of Pop Art Eduardo Paolozzi as a Great Life. Joining Antonio and presenter Matthew Parris in the studio is cultural historian Sir Christopher Frayling. | 8/23/11 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
16 |
GreatLives: Kirsty MacColl 09 Aug 11 | Broadcaster Janice Long tells Matthew Parris why her friend singer-songwriter Kirsty MacColl led a "great life" despite her tragically early death in a boating accident in 2000. | 8/9/11 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
17 |
GreatLives: Graham Greene 02 Aug 11 | Graham Greene, author of Brighton Rock and The Third Man, proposed by Tim Butcher. Matthew Parris presents and David Pearce battles bravely to defend the reputation of a writer who played Russian Roulette when bored. | 8/2/11 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
18 |
GreatLives: Harold Pinter 24 May 11 | Playwright Harold Pinter is chosen by Diane Abbott MP. With expert assistance from the critic and biographer Michael Billington and presented by Matthew Parris. | 5/24/11 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
19 |
GreatLives: Jack Johnson 17 May 11 | Jack Johnson, the Galveston Giant, was the first African American heavyweight champion of the world. Chosen by Matthew Syed both for his boxing skills and for what he came to represent. Matthew Parris presents. | 5/17/11 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
20 |
GreatLives: Petra Kelly 10 May 11 | Matthew Parris presents the biographical series in which his guests choose someone who's inspired their lives. Green MP Caroline Lucas nominates German Green politician Petra Kelly. | 5/10/11 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
21 |
GreatLives: Lewis Carroll 03 May 11 | Matthew Parris and writer Lynne Truss discuss the life of author Lewis Carroll. Famous for the Alice books, Carroll was also a brilliant mathematician and early photographer. | 5/3/11 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
22 |
GreatLives: Kathleen Ferrier 27 Apr 11 | Broadcaster Sue MacGregor nominates singer Kathleen Ferrer, who died tragically young. Matthew Parris presents, with the help of Christopher Fifield who edited Ferrier's letters. | 4/26/11 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
23 |
GreatLives: Simone de Beauvoir | Actress Diana Quick tells Matthew Parris why Simone de Beauvoir changed her life after reading "The Second Sex". Lisa Appignanesi is the expert witness. | 4/19/11 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
24 |
GreatLives: Bernstein 12 Apr 10 | Leonard Bernstein, composer of West Side Story, was one of the greatest musical figures of the twentieth century. He's chosen by conductor Charles Hazlewood. Presenter Matthew Parris asks Bernstein's colleague and friend, Humphrey Burton, blunt questions about the great man's sexuality. | 4/12/11 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
25 |
GreatLives: Thomas Edison 05 April 11 | Sir Clive Sinclair nominates fellow inventor Thomas Edison. Edison invented sound recording, the electric light bulb and moving pictures, but also had his fair share of duds along the way. Sir Clive invented the first electronic calculator but also the ill-fated C5 electric car. Separated by a century, do the two men have anything in common? Joining the discussion is Edison's biographer Neil Baldwin. | 4/5/11 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
26 |
GreatLives: Marcus Garvey 01 Feb 11 | Kwame Kwei-Armah chooses Marcus Garvey, the inspirational black leader of the early twentieth century. With biographer Colin Grant and presenter Matthew Parris. | 2/1/11 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
27 |
GreatLives: Mary Stott 25 Jan 2011 | Katharine Whitehorn nominates Mary Stott, the great campaigning journalist and the first editor of the Guardian women's page. Dame Liz Forgan shares her memories of working with Mary, and Matthew Parris presents. | 1/25/11 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
28 |
GreatLives: Gertrude Bell 18 Jan 11 | Iraqi-born physicist Jim al-Khalili explores the life of Gertrude Bell, adventurer, archaeologist and arguably the founder of modern Iraq. | 1/18/11 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
29 |
GreatLives: Aneurin Bevan 04 Jan 11 | Matthew Parris explores the life of Aneurin Bevan, the founder of the NHS, chosen by the former leader of the Labour Party, Lord Kinnock. John Campbell adds biographical detail. | 1/4/11 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
30 |
GreatLives: Sammy Davis Jr 28 Dec 10 | Lionel Blair chooses his friend and dancing partner Sammy Davis Jr - Puerto Rican, Jewish, and possessing only one eye, but a great all round performer. Paul Gambaccini offers expert advice and Matthew Parris presents. | 12/28/10 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
31 |
GreatLives: Beckett 21 Dec 10 | Sir Gerry Robinson chooses fellow Irishman Samuel Beckett. Matthew Parris presents and Jim Knowlson, a personal friend of the playwright, offers the expert's view. | 12/21/10 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
32 |
GreatLives: DH Lawrence 14 Dec 10 | Matthew Parris is joined by John Hegley and Geoff Dyer to discuss the life of DH Lawrence, author, poet, painter, who died aged just 44 but made a giant contribution to literature. | 12/14/10 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
33 |
GreatLives: Malcolm McLaren 07 Dec 10 | Was Malcolm McLaren a musical great, or the great rock n' roll swindler ? Mark Borkowski joins Matthew Parris and Chris Salewicz in a discussion centred around compelling archive. | 12/7/10 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
34 |
GreatLives: Walt Disney 28 Sept 10 | Gerald Scarfe, creator of some of the most savage cartoon images of the last forty years, chooses Walt Disney for Great Lives. Brian Sibley and Roger Rabbit creator Richard Williams join presenter Matthew Parris in the studio debate. | 9/28/10 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
35 |
GreatLives: Montaigne 21 Sept 10 | Robert Winston chooses Michel de Montaigne, one of the most influential writers of the French Renaissance. Adding their help are biographer Sarah Bakewell and presenter Matthew Parris. | 9/21/10 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
36 |
GreatLives: Winston Churchill 14 Sept 10 | Winston Churchill's is the Great Life chosen by Lord Digby Jones, former Director General of the CBI. Expert contribution comes from Professor David Reynolds. Both men have vivid memories of the day in 1965 when, as children, they heard that Churchill had died. Surprisingly this is the first time that Churchill has been nominated in the series. | 9/14/10 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
37 |
GreatLives: Golda Meir 07 Sept 10 | Golda Meir was the Iron Lady of Israeli politics, a straight-talking, intransigent leader who once said, "There is a type of woman who does not let her husband narrow her horizons". She is the choice of former Conservative government minister Edwina Currie. Matthew Parris presents and historian Ahron Bregman joins as expert witness. | 9/7/10 | Free | View In iTunes |
| Total: 37 Episodes |
Customer Reviews
Fascinating and In depth
A wonderful and comprehensive look at historical figures. It is neither a puff piece nor a slash job, but an engaging discussion of intriguing individuals warts and all.
great lives
I love this every time its offered. The problem is....its not offered much! Plus, this show goes back for years, I wish all the archives were available, especially the show about Ian Curtis.
Great Lives
If you like this you should listen to In Our Time as well..
