At midnight on 15 August 1947, India left the British Empire. This defining moment of world history had been brought about by a handful of people: Jawaharlal Nehru, the fiery Indian prime minister, Mohammad Ali Jinnah, leader of the new nation of Pakistan, Mohandas Gandhi, the mystical figure who enthralled a nation, and Louis and Edwina Mountbatte...

Until the early 1990s, when the Berlin Wall came tumbling down, travelling behind the iron curtain was never easy. In undertaking his new journey through Eastern Europe, breathing in its rich history and exquisite sights, and talking to its diverse peoples, Palin fills what has been a void in his own experience and that of very many others. This au...

Victoria's irreverent pilgrimage takes her to key places around the world that also share her namesake, from Fort Victoria in Ghana, to Victoria, Nova Scotia, and finishing at Zambia's Victoria Falls. Victoria's adventure is fuelled by her fascination with the Queen Victoria - both her public and private persona. She explores how Victoria felt abou...

The Apollo moon programme has been called the last optimistic act of the twentieth century. Over a strange three-year period between 1969 and 1972, twelve men made the longest and most eccentric of all journeys and all were indelibly marked by it. In this audiobook, Andrew Smith sets out to find and interview the remaining moonwalkers in order to l...

Controversial and compelling, this audiobook reconstructs the murder in 1959 of a Kansas farmer, his wife and both their children. Truman Capote's comprehensive study of the killings and subsequent investigation explores the circumstances surrounding this terrible crime and the effect it had on those involved. At the centre of his study are the amo...

Simon Barnes is one of Britain's leading bird writers and humorists. His weekly column in 'The Times', his essays for the RSPB magazine and his two books on bad bird-watching have made him one of the characters of the bird world. Here he reads his own illuminating introductions to the fifty main birds of Britain, supported by the distinguishing bir...

Part of the 'Family Doctor' series and published in association with The British Medical Association, this is a valuable resource for anyone who suffers from anxiety. It is also helpful for those studying or for people who may be in contact with someone who suffers from anxiety and panic attacks. Chapters include: causes, symptoms, theories and typ...

Stephen Fry hosts four programmes on the joys of the English language - as heard on BBC Radio 4. Current Puns Why does our language groan with the weight of puns? What exactly is a pun? And who, or what, is the Thief of Bad Gags? Metaphor The English language is chock-full of maritime metaphors: cock up, taken aback, chip on your shoulder and show...

Do you know someone who is incensed by compulsory tipping? Who is infuriated if kept on hold for more than a minute? Who is positively apoplectic if someone answers their phone during dinner? If so, you've probably encountered the phenomenon of the grumpy old man. Following their first massively successful BBC1 series, this autumn will see the grum...

The team from I'm Sorry I Haven't A Clue present their own unique take on Lewis Carroll's most famous work, casting their reluctant chairman - the late Humphrey Lyttelton - in the title role, with support from Graeme Garden, Tim Brooke-Taylor, Barry Cryer, Sandi Toksvig, Tony Hawks, Andy Hamilton, Rob Brydon, Jeremy Hardy and Jacke Dee, with Colin...

In a commemorative programme to mark the anniversary of John Peel's death, Tom Robinson visits `Peel Acres' to meet John's wife Sheila and their four children.

BILL BRYSON presents a fascinating exploration of THE HISTORY OF THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE. This highly entertaining BBC Radio 4 series is written and presented by Bill Bryson and based on his bestselling book, Mother Tongue. In it he romps through the history of Britain to reveal how English became such an infuriatingly complex - but ultimately world-b...

Nicholas Parsons introduces four archive episodes of the ever-popular comedy panel game. Just as uproariously funny - and terrifically popular - today as when it first began on BBC Radio 4 in 1968, Just a Minute challenges contestants to speak for one minute on a given subject without repetition, hesitation or deviation. Its mix of irreverent fun a...

Writer, poet, entertainer and broadcaster, Pam Ayres has been delighting the nation with her mix of comic poetry, prose and droll observations on life for more than twenty years. This live recording of Pam's overwhelmingly popular stage show is the entertainer at her best. Pam Ayres' stage show has been a sell-out success throughout the world. With...

No game generates more passion, or stirs the emotions, like Rugby Union. No game enjoys itself more when the final whistle blows. And none has produced quite such a line of good talkers, on or off the subject. Here, from the BBC's unique Sound Archives, are memories of great teams, matches and tries, the wit and wisdom of some of the legendary char...

The Making of Modern Medicine covers over 2000 years of medical history and draws on a vast range of original sources from diaries, medical journals and stage satires to shed light on the experiences of physicians, surgeons, nurses and patients. From classical beliefs about illness that would dominate medical thinking for centuries, through to the...

A fourth volume of highlights from recent series of The News Quiz, presented by chairman Simon Hoggart. Since 1977, BBC Radio 4's funniest and quirkiest game show has been answering questions and offering wit and wisdom on global happenings, national news and quite frankly pathetic parochial events

The Now Show is a topical comedy show recorded in front of a live audience and scripted up to the last minute. It stars Steve Punt and Hugh Dennis in a collection of sketches and routines based around recent news items and issues. Comedians Marcus Brigstock and Midge Benn provide additional support.

Adam Hart-Davis explores spectacular years in the long history of science.

Described by the Radio Times as 'a brilliant observer of the domestic scene, a master reporter of life as we know it', Al Read's weekly show drew audiences of 35 million during the 1950s and '60s. Born in Salford in 1909, Al started life as a sausage manufacturer, having inherited the family's meat-processing factory. His comedy developed from his...

Creativity is a major economic force of the 21st century. In concise steps, Guy Claxton and Bill Lucas explain what `creativity' is and how creative thinking can be learned. Making use of exercises and case studies, the authors demonstrate essential skills for the workplace and show how developing creative ability can help us achieve harmony, balan...