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...

Now issued for the first time on audio, this is the first series of Labour MP Tony Benn's behind-the-scenes revelations from the highly acclaimed BBC Radio 4 series. Late each night for over twenty-five years the Labour MP and former Secretary of State Tony Benn sat alone and dictated onto audio his account of the daily events at the heart of gover...

Enjoy Bob's genius as a writer, stand-up comedian, chat-show host and compere as he looks back on a lifetime of laughs in a selecton from his most famous radio and television shows.

Confidence is a much sought after, but often elusive, quality. Too often, when self-doubt creeps in we start to question every aspect of ourselves. In clear steps, through exercises and case studies, Sarah Litvinoff helps the listener develop their self-perception, both professionally and personally. She provides confidence-building techniques to p...

Genius is the comedy series broadcasted on Radio 4, which sees Dave Gorman and a celebrity guest chew over ridiculous, unworkable but sometimes genius inventions from the public. Genius invites listeners to air those incredible concepts that strike after one-too-many drinks at the pub - not necessarily ideas that are worthy or even very well though...

This impressions show arrived on television in 2002, having made waves and become an incredible success as a BBC Radio 4 series. BBC Radio Collection's volumes of episodes from the radio series have been incredibly successful, and now this volume collects the best moments from the first BBC1 TV series.