The mastermind behind Apple sheds his low profile and steps forward to tell his story for the first time. Before cell phones that fit in the palm of your hand and slim laptops that fit snugly into briefcases, computers were like strange, alien vending machines. They had cryptic switches, punch cards and pages of encoded output. But in 1975, a young...

After three years of research, bestselling journalist Joe McGinniss presents his already controversial and much anticipated investigative chronicle of Sarah Palin as an individual, politician, and cultural phenomenon. On Election Day 2008, McGinniss began his on-the-ground reporting that culminated, famously, in his moving next door to Sarah Palin...

Orwell was arguably one of the first 'gonzo' journalists. In this unabridged, enlightening and often shocking expose of life on the streets of two of Europe's most romanticised and celebrated cities, Orwell describes in detail the day-to-day life of a 'down-and-out', which involves hunger, filth, derision and often prejudice and violence. Alcohol i...

Robert Graves relates his time in the trenches. Robert Graves's writing is versatile and intense. Famous as a war poet, his prose works are on a stage of their own, especially this piece, which is an autobiographical account of Grave's school days and life as a soldier in the trenches in World War 1. Political as well as personal, the piece is imp...

To tie-in with Radio 4's new versions of the Raymond Chandler classic thrillers aired in February 2011, Harriett Gilbert presents a reappraisal of the life and legacy of the man from Upper Norwood who invented the PI as we know him. 'I needed a drink, I needed a lot of life insurance, I needed a vacation, I needed a home in the country. What I had...

Fred Perry conquered the tennis world and remains the last Englishman to win Wimbledon. Yet despite achieving fame and fortune, his life began in humble surroundings on the banks of the River Goyt in Stockport.

This fascinating collection of archive interviews with the much-loved comedy actor and diarist begins in 1961, with an appearance on the BBC TV Tonight programme, and culminates in 1987 when Kenneth Williams is a guest on Desert Island Discs. Along the way are several interviews on Parkinson, conversation from The John Dunn Show, and a number of ra...

It was a footman who brought the news to ten-year-old Elizabeth Alexandra Mary Windsor on December 10, 1936. Her father had become an accidental king just four days before his forty-first birthday when his older brother, King Edward VIII, abdicated to marry Wallis Warfield Simpson, a twice-divorced American. Edward VIII had been sovereign only nine...

A BBC Radio 4 documentary all about Johnny Morris of BBC TV's 'Animal Magic' fame, a household name and character who created charming, comic voices for the creatures in the show. 'Not Just Funny Animal Voices' presenter Terry Nutkins, (Johnny's TV side-kick, mentor and close friend until Johnny's death in 1999), explores Johnny's life and work, a...

This fascinating collection of archive interviews with the acclaimed playwright, whose centenary was celebrated in 2011, begins in 1969 with a radio appearance on Out This Week. It culminates with an interview for Kaleidoscope in 1977, recorded a few months before his death. Inbetween are several major radio features on Rattigan's life and work, in...

In a fifty-six-year career spanning 'Take It from Here' to 'Absolutely Fabulous', June Whitfield's presence in a show has always been a hallmark of quality. From Shakespeare to 'Carry On' films, from Penge rep to the Palladium, there is hardly a theatre or studio where she hasn't appeared, and in the process acquired a wonderfully funny backstage t...

Sue Johnston always seemed to be disappointing her mother. As a girl she never stayed clean and tidy like her cousins. As she grew older, she spent all her piano lesson money on drinks for her mates down the pub, and when she discovered The Cavern she was never at home. The final straw was when Sue left her steady job at a St Helen's factory to try...

Clare Balding grew up in a rather unusual household. Her father a champion trainer, she shared her life with more than 100 thoroughbred racehorses, mares, foals and ponies, as well as an ever-present pack of boxers and lurchers. As a toddler she would happily ride the legendary Mill Reef and take breakfast with the Queen. She and her younger brothe...

In Top of the Class, John Wilson meets leading figures in their fields and takes them back to the places and people they left behind. In this episode, he takes author Andrea Levy back to the building where her creative success took root - the old City Literature building in London's Covent Garden. When she started doing an adult education class in...

Barry Johnston presents a retrospective of his father's career as a much-loved BBC broadcaster. Jovial Johnners was the doyen of cricket commentators, as well as a consumer of chocolate cake, a reporter, presenter, quizmaster and much-loved voice at State occasions. For nearly 50 years the ever-affable, always enthusiastic Brian Johnston brought wa...

George Mallory's collected writings on his mountaineering - and his motivations. Famously impelled to climb Mount Everest simply because it was there, Mallory made three attempts to be the first to reach its summit, and perished on the third. His writing reveals the emotional life of the mountaineer. With eloquence, Mallory captures the struggles a...

This fascinating collection of archive interviews with the celebrated footballer begins in the 1970s, when George Best is enjoying success at a young age. It continues into the 1980s, by which times he has become a husband and father and has also had to come to terms with alcoholism. Career and personal highs and lows are discussed, along with reco...

In Top of the Class, John Wilson meets leading figures in their fields and takes them back to the places and people they left behind. In this episode from the third series, Michael Portillo back to his former school in Harrow. In his day, it was a boys' grammar school and in this visit to celebrate 100 years of the school, Michael is one of the gue...

In Top of the Class, John Wilson meets leading figures in their fields and takes them back to the places and people they left behind. This third series sees him accompanying novelist Andrea Levy as she goes back to her adult education writing class, and taking Michael Portillo back to his old grammar school to meet his former teacher.

Born the son of a Billingsgate market porter at the height of the Second World War, David Jason spent his early life dodging bombs and bullies, both with impish good timing. Giving up on an unloved career as an electrician, he turned his attention to acting and soon, through a natural talent for making people laugh, found himself working with the l...

Jennifer Saunders' comic creations have brought joy to millions. From Comic Strip to Comic Relief, from Bolly-swilling Edina in Ab Fab to her takes on Madonna or Mamma Mia, her characters are household names. But it's Jennifer herself who has a place in all our hearts. This is her funny, moving and frankly bonkers memoir, filled with laughter, frie...