Shakespeare's Life

Melvyn Bragg and guests consider the enigma of the life of William Shakespeare

• 41 mins

Fossils

The significance of fossils in history and the impact of techniques in understanding them.

• 45 mins

The Philosophy of Love

Melvyn Bragg examines the western understanding of the Philosophy of Love since Plato.

• 41 mins

The Roman Empire's Collapse in the 5th century

The causes and events of the fall of the Roman Empire in the 5th century.

• 45 mins

Black Holes

Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss Black Holes, the ghosts of massive stars.

• 45 mins

The Glorious Revolution

Melvyn Bragg considers whether the events of 1688 were really glorious or revolutionary.

• 45 mins

Literary Modernism

Melvyn Bragg examines the movement that embraced Joyce, DH Lawrence and Virginia Woolf.

• 45 mins

Evil

Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss the notion of evil in western philosophy.

• 45 mins

The French Revolution's Legacy

The impact and legacy of the French Revolution on European culture and politics.

• 45 mins

The Sonnet

Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss the Sonnet, the most enduring form in the poet’s armoury.

• 41 mins

Existentialism

Melvyn Bragg and guests examine the 20th century philosophy of existentialism

• 45 mins

The Earth's Origins

Melvyn Bragg discusses the origins of the Earth.

• 45 mins

Dickens

The achievements and legacy of the 19th century literary giant Charles Dickens.

• 45 mins

Byzantium

The culture, history and legacy of the eastern Byzantine Empire.

• 45 mins

Democracy

Melvyn Bragg examines the origins of the most cherished form of government in the world.

• 45 mins

Napoleon and Wellington

The comparative histories of two titans of 19th century history.

• 41 mins

Confucius

Melvyn Bragg and guests examine the chinese philosophy of Confucianism.

• 45 mins

The British Empire

Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss the ethos and legacy of the British Empire.

• 45 mins

Surrealism

Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss surrealism, the art of the unconscious.

• 45 mins

Oceanography

Melvyn Bragg explores what science has revealed, and we still don't know, about the sea.

• 45 mins

Third Crusade

Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss the highs and lows of the Third Crusade.

• 45 mins

Oscar Wilde

Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss Oscar Wilde, his literary legacy and the Aesthetes.

• 45 mins

Genetics

Melvyn Bragg and guests explore the development of the science of genetics.

• 45 mins

Rome and European Civilization

Melvyn Bragg and guests assess the role that Rome has played in European civilization.

• 45 mins

Food

The cultural history of food in Modern Europe since the Renaissance.

• 45 mins

Sensibility

Melvyn Bragg examines the ideas behind the 18th century literary cult of sensibility.

• 45 mins

Nuclear Physics

Melvyn Bragg examines the 20th century development of nuclear physics as a science.

• 45 mins

Catharism

Melvyn Bragg examines the Cathars, a medieval European Christian sect accused of heresy.

• 45 mins

Happiness

Melvyn Bragg considers whether 'happiness' means living a life of pleasure or of virtue.

• 45 mins

Yeats and Mysticism

Melvyn Bragg explores the strange and mystical world of the Irish poet W B Yeats.

• 45 mins