'Honest and intriguing ... beautifully written.' Observer'Joan Bakewell was everywhere at every stage: reporting on the Cuban missile crisis, interviewing Allen Ginsberg and Vaclav Havel, taking chunks out of the Berlin Wall when it fell...draped in the kaftan of Sixties sophistication.' Independent on SundayJoan Bakewell's life and times spans the Blitz in Manchester, Cambridge during the glittering era of Michael Fra...

Household names nominate leaders from the past for BBC Radio 4's Great LivesSince its inception in 2001, Great Lives has been one of Radio 4's most popular programmes, presented by Joan Bakewell, Humphrey Carpenter, Francine Stock and Matthew Parris. The format is simple, but compelling: each week, a distinguished personality is invited to select an inspirational figure who has influenced them. Talking with the presenter and a guest expert, they as...

Melvyn Bragg explores the pivotal role of England's north in defining modern Britain, and its enduring effect on every part of the globe'It's impossible not to admire the thrust and sweep of this series' The TelegraphIn this captivating 10-part series, Melvyn Bragg brings all his enthusiasm, experience and expertise to a subject that has enthralled him his entire life: the importance of the North in shaping the United Kingdom. Join...

Distinguished guests nominate a great musician for BBC Radio 4's Great LivesFor 20 years, Great Lives has been a linchpin of Radio 4, presented by Joan Bakewell, Humphrey Carpenter, Francine Stock and Matthew Parris. In it, a household name is invited to choose one of their heroes to discuss with the presenter and a guest expert. But will their chosen person live up to intensive scrutiny, and merit the description of having led a great life?

Well-known personalities pick their favourite entertainers for BBC Radio 4's Great LivesOne of the BBC's most acclaimed programmes, Great Lives has been a regular Radio 4 fixture for 20 years, presented by Joan Bakewell, Humphrey Carpenter, Francine Stock and Matthew Parris. Every week, a famous name is invited into the studio to nominate a figure from the past who has inspired them, and discuss their subject with the presenter and a guest expert....

Famous fans choose their favourite writers for BBC Radio 4's Great LivesFor 20 years, Great Lives has been a cornerstone of the Radio 4 schedules, presented by Joan Bakewell, Humphrey Carpenter, Francine Stock and Matthew Parris. Each week, a well-known personality is invited to select someone who has inspired them. They then discuss the 'Great Life' with the presenter and a guest expert to decide whether their hero really merits the accolade....

Mortality is often on Joan Bakewell's mind. She's in her eighties, many of her friends have died and older relatives went long ago - and yet death is a topic we rarely discuss. It's become clear: we need to talk about death.In this groundbreaking series, Baroness Bakewell and expert guests discuss death and dying, exploring the choices open to us and confronting the questions we fear the most. This is no abstract pursuit, however, as the team tackle the most pressing practical issu...