History and Understanding the Past

Melvyn Bragg examines whether we can ever predict the future by understanding the past.

• 30 mins

The Natural Order

Melvyn Bragg examines the science of taxonomy; the classification of the natural world.

• 45 mins

New Wars

Melvyn Bragg examines whether we are in a new era in the history of modern warfare.

• 41 mins

Englishness

Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss the characteristics of the English identity.

• 45 mins

Human Origins

Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss the evolution of the human species.

• 45 mins

Death

Melvyn Bragg examines the development of Western rituals and attitudes to death.

• 45 mins

Shakespeare's Work

Melvyn Bragg examines what it is about Shakespeare’s work that makes it universal.

• 45 mins

The Wars of the Roses

The 15th century wars of the royal Houses of Lancaster and York.

• 45 mins

Chemical Elements

Melvyn Bragg explores chemistry's ongoing mission to understand irreducible substances.

• 45 mins

The American Ideal

Melvyn Bragg and guests examine the ideals that underwrite the idealism of America.

• 45 mins

The Renaissance

Melvyn Bragg explores the veracity of modern claims about the culture of the Renaissance.

• 45 mins

Inspiration and Genius

Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss the true meaning of genius and whether it is born or made.

• 45 mins

Biography

Melvyn Bragg examines why the public is fascinated with the private lives of individuals.

• 45 mins

Imagination and Consciousness

Melvyn Bragg investigates how neuroscience can explain the enigmas of consciousness.

• 45 mins

London

The history of London from its Neolithic origin to the digitalised capital city of today.

• 45 mins

Hitler in History

Melvyn Bragg examines Adolf Hitler and Nazi Germany though historiographical theories.

• 45 mins

The Romantics

Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss the ideals, exponents and legacy of Romanticism.

• 45 mins

Laws of Nature

Melvyn Bragg considers whether what is true in physics is true in all areas of existence.

• 45 mins

The Tudor State

Melvyn Bragg looks at the re-shaping of England as a modern state by the Tudor dynasty.

• 45 mins

Evolutionary Psychology

Melvyn Bragg explores the basis and context for the ideas of Evolutionary Psychology.

• 45 mins

Psychoanalysis and Literature

Melvyn Bragg assesses the role of Freudian analysis in understanding literature.

• 45 mins

Nihilism

The history of the philosophy that claims that truths are illusory.

• 41 mins

Gothic

Melvyn Bragg examines the origins and significance of the 18th century Gothic movement.

• 45 mins

Mathematics and Platonism

Melvyn Bragg examines whether mathematics is a process of invention or of discovery.

• 45 mins

The Enlightenment in Britain

Melvyn Bragg examines the role of British thinkers in the 18th century Enlightenment.

• 45 mins

Science and Religion

Melvyn Bragg explores the areas of conflict and agreement between science and religion.

• 45 mins

Imperial Science

Melvyn Bragg examines whether agriculture or trade drove 19th century British imperialism.

• 40 mins

Humanism

The history and legacy of classical Humanism, invented by Cicero.

• 45 mins

The Restoration

Melvyn Bragg looks at the reign of Charles II and the consequences of the Restoration.

• 45 mins

Quantum Gravity

Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss the 20th century attempts to understand the Quantum world.

• 45 mins