Memory

Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss the function and significance of memory.

• 45 mins

The Lunar Society

Melvyn Bragg examines an 18th century group of pioneering scientists and engineers.

• 45 mins

The Art of War

The history and philosophy of warfare throughout the ages.

• 45 mins

The Aristocracy

Melvyn Bragg examines the origins, power and eventual decline of the British aristocracy.

• 45 mins

The East India Company

The history of the private trading company that helped forge the British Empire.

• 45 mins

Vulcanology

Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss the formation and eruption of volcanoes.

• 45 mins

Nature

Melvyn Bragg examines the attempt to define humanity’s part in the natural world.

• 45 mins

The Apocalypse

Melvyn Bragg examines how a powerful narrative of judgement and retribution evolved.

• 45 mins

Maxwell

The work and legacy of the often overlooked 19th century scientist James Clerk Maxwell.

• 45 mins

Bohemianism

Melvyn Bragg examines the 19th century Parisian philosophy of life lived for art.

• 45 mins

The Schism

Melvyn Bragg examines events surrounding the medieval division of the Christian Church.

• 45 mins

Infinity

Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss the nature and existence of mathematical infinity.

• 45 mins

Robin Hood

Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss the centuries old myth of the most romantic noble outlaw.

• 45 mins

Sensation

Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss the novels of sensation, a Victorian literary phenomenon.

• 45 mins

Duty

Melvyn Bragg examines duty, a concept that has excited philosophers through history.

• 45 mins

Ageing the Earth

Melvyn Bragg examines the age of the Earth and its division into four great Eons.

• 45 mins

St Bartholomew's Day Massacre

Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss the infamous St Bartholomew’s Day Massacre in 1572.

• 41 mins

Wittgenstein

The life, work and legacy of the 20th century philosopher Ludwig Wittgenstein.

• 45 mins

The Devil

Melvyn Bragg examines how the Devil became an established figure in Christianity.

• 45 mins

The Alphabet

Melvyn Bragg investigates how sounds turned into signs and signs became the alphabet.

• 45 mins

Lamarck and Natural Selection

Melvyn Bragg discusses Jean-Baptiste Lamarck, the 18th century French precursor to Darwin.

• 45 mins

Cryptography

Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss the origins and history of codes.

• 45 mins

Thermopylae

Melvyn Bragg examines the Battle of Thermopylae, a defining clash between East and West.

• 45 mins

The Sublime

Melvyn Bragg explores a transcendental idea that took hold on the Age of Enlightenment.

• 45 mins

Rutherford

Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss Ernest Rutherford, the father of nuclear science.

• 45 mins

The Mughal Empire

Melvyn Bragg and guests examine how much the British Raj owed to the Mughal Emperors.

• 45 mins

Dreams

Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss the function and interpretation of dreams.

• 40 mins

The Norse Gods

Melvyn Bragg examines the myths and theology that inspired the Vikings.

• 45 mins

Theories of Everything

Melvyn Bragg explores the 30 year search to solve all the biggest questions in physics.

• 45 mins

China's Warring States period

Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss the astonishing productivity of the Chinese Golden Age.

• 45 mins