History
Catalog Fall 2016
The Battle of Britain
This Sceptred Isle Collection 1
Eyewitness 1950-1999
America Empire of Liberty
ISBN: 9781785291036 $22.95 • 2 CD
ISBN: 9781785291845 $69.95 • 13 CD
ISBN: 9781785290978 $80.00 • 20 CD
ISBN: 9781785291142 $75.00 • 18 CD
First-hand accounts from the RAF pilots who took part in the Battle of Britain, one of the chief turning points of World War II. With news bulletins, reportage, personal accounts from the ground crews, and excerpts from Churchill’s famous speeches, this recording undeniably shows why, for the victorious RAF pilots, ‘This was their finest hour’.
The first five volumes from the landmark BBC radio series This Sceptred Isle. Christopher Lee’s epic history tells the story of Britain from the Romans to the death of Victoria. Narrated by Anna Massey, with extracts from Sir Winston Churchill’s A History of the English-speaking Peoples read by Paul Eddington and Peter Jeffrey, this is the definitive radio account of the events and personalities that have shaped our nation.
Eyewitness accounts from the BBC Archive are at the heart of this unique history of the latter half of the 20th Century, narrated by Tim Pigott-Smith. The events of 1950-1999 are described by the people who saw them happen, from the Festival of Britain in 1951 through to dawn of a new millennium at the end of 1999. Thoughtprovoking and moving, these are the voices of the past speaking to the present day.
David Reynolds’ major BBC Radio 4 series explores the origins of contemporary USA from its beginnings to the present day. This epic narrative tells America’s story through the voices of those who lived it. The series celebrates the country’s achievements but also examines its paradoxes by investigating three abiding themes of American life: empire, liberty and faith.
Germany: Memories of a Nation
Letter from America:The Essential Letters 1936 - 2004
First World War: 1916
A History of the World in 100 Objects
ISBN: 9781910281468 $39.95 • 6 CD A major BBC Radio 4 series from the makers of A History Of The World In 100 Objects, exploring the fascinating and complex history of Germany from the origins of the Holy Roman Empire right up to the present day. Written and presented by Neil MacGregor, it was produced in partnership with the British Museum.
ISBN: 9781785291593 $79.95 • 21 CD Alistair Cooke reports on landmark events including Franklin D. Roosevelt’s funeral; the assassination of JFK; the war in Vietnam; the Watergate scandal; the Monica Lewinsky affair; the Watts and Rodney King race riots in LA in 1965 and 1992; the Gulf War and the terrible events of 9/11.
ISBN: 9781785292293 $22.95 • 2 CD These fascinating and often poignant first-hand accounts describe the humiliating retreat by Allied forces from Gallipoli, starvation during the Siege of Kut-al-Amara in Mesopotamia, the Easter Rising - viewed from both sides of the Irish divide - and the costly battles of Jutland and the Somme.
ISBN: 9781408469880 $75.00 • 20 CD The landmark series. Presented by the British Museum’s Director Neil MacGregor, each episode focuses on a single object - from a Stone Age tool to a solar-powered lamp - and explains its significance in human history. Music and interviews enrich the listener’s experience.
Biography
World War Two On Air (BBC War Reports)
Paul McCartney In His Own Words
ISBN: 9781408468067 $26.95 • 2 CD
ISBN: 9781445846583 $26.95 • 2 CD
This unique chronicle of war has the same rawness and immediacy as when the recordings were first broadcast over 60 years ago. It is both a testament to the BBC War Correspondents and a rare document in history. The story of the Second World War is told by Richard Baker, with original recordings from the BBC Sound Archive.
In interviews ranging from 1968 to 2009, Paul McCartney talks about the early days of The Beatles, and their final break-up; a mid-70s offer to re-form; touring the UK with Wings; his solo albums; receiving the freedom of the City of Liverpool; Christmas with his family; his love of music, and his career since the break-up of The Beatles up to 2009.
Benedict Cumberbatch reads Ian Kelly’s Casanova ISBN: 9781785290770 $14.95 • 1 CD Benedict Cumberbatch reads Ian Kelly’s biography of one of the most beguiling and controversial individuals of any age. In this fascinating biography of the notorious libertine, Ian Kelly draws on documents by Casanova, his friends and his lovers (male and female) in order to bring fresh insights to the man’s life and world.
Catalog Fall 2016
Mick Jagger In His Own Words ISBN: 9781471336355 $18.95 • 1 CD A fascinating collection of archive interviews with the famed lead singer of the Rolling Stones. He talks about touring with one of the biggest bands in the world and why he needs to perform. Mick also talks about the longevity of the Rolling Stones, fatherhood and family, his love of cricket and, ultimately, making music to make you happy.
Margaret Thatcher In Her Own Words ISBN: 9781445846644 $18.95 • 2 CD In interviews ranging from 1975 to 1990, Margaret Thatcher talks about being a woman in politics, the importance of wearing the right clothes, her memories of home, her husband and family, her interest in science, her stamina and her worst moment as Prime Minister.
Muhammad Ali In His Own Words ISBN: 9781445846606 $26.95 • 2 CD This fascinating collection of archive interviews with the legendary boxer begins in 1965 with an interview with Harry Carpenter, and culminates with an interview with Joanna Lumley in 1989. In the course of these appearances he discusses his fighting career, his frank views on religion and society, his vision of a separate black only American state, and his lack of formal education.
David Attenborough’s Collected Life Stories ISBN: 9781471350375 $49.95 • 6 CD One of the nation’s most popular presenters examines forty marvels of the natural world from his extraordinary and pioneering experiences. His enthusiasm is as infectious as ever, and conveys a unique fascination on diverse topics.
John Lennon In His Own Words
Stephen Fry in His Own Words
ISBN: 9781471339332 $18.95 • 1 CD
ISBN: 9781471339271 $18.95 • 1 CD
Music icon and former Beatle John Lennon talks about his life and career in these fascinating interviews from the BBC archives recorded between 1965 and 1981.
In a fascinating collection of archive interviews with the celebrated writer, presenter and polymath, you can hear - in his own words - the beliefs and aspirations that have shaped him. Stephen is extraordinarily honest about some of his personal experiences, which have included imprisonment for credit card fraud, going public about his sexuality, and coping with public criticism.
David Attenborough: Life on Air ISBN: 9781408467503 $55.00 • 16 CD David Attenborough is one of the most influential, admired and best-liked figures in television. Elegantly told and often very funny, his story includes how he introduced colour television to Britain, and the background to his epic series such as Life on Earth and Life in Cold Blood.
Agatha Christie: Close Up ISBN: 9781785295126 $19.95 • 2 CD A fascinating collection of archive radio programmes focusing on the life and work of crime fiction’s grande dame and featuring Agatha Christie in her own words. Dame Agatha Christie published many novels in her lifetime, but to the public she remained an enigmatic figure. Featuring the voices of fellow friends, family and the Queen of Crime herself, this wide-ranging collection sheds new light on the bestselling novelist of all time.