In Our Time Podcast
Misha Glenny and guests discuss the ideas, people and events that have shaped our world.
A world-class seminar, every week.
In Our Time explores the ideas, people and discoveries that have shaped our world, spanning history, philosophy, religion, science, literature, art and culture.
On Thursdays, hear brand-new episodes hosted by Misha Glenny and leading academics. On Mondays, discover Misha's Archive Picks: classic conversations from the In Our Time archive, originally presented by Melvyn Bragg.
Recent episodes have featured topics as wide-ranging as the Roman Arena, Handel's Messiah, John Keats, On Liberty and the Mariana Trench, bringing expert insight to pivotal events, influential thinkers and remarkable discoveries.
Throughout the archive, you can hear discussions on historical figures such as Marie Antoinette, Nefertiti, Mary Wollstonecraft, Karl Marx and Albert Einstein; explore great works of literature such as Shakespeare’s Hamlet, Nineteen Eighty-Four, Alice's Adventures in Wonderland and the poetry of John Donne; uncover the stories behind cultural masterpieces including Van Gogh's Sunflowers and Michelangelo's Sistine Chapel; or journey from Jupiter and the death of stars, to the theories of Plato and Aristotle.
In Our Time celebrates the pursuit of knowledge and the enduring power of ideas.
Episodes to download
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Epistolary Literature
Thu 15 Mar 2007
Melvyn Bragg discusses epistolary literature from Aphra Benn to Les Liaisons Dangereuses
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Microbiology
Thu 8 Mar 2007
Melvyn Bragg discusses the history of microbiology, the study of microscopic life.
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Archimedes
Thu 25 Jan 2007
Melvyn Bragg discusses the Greek mathematician Archimedes and his famous cry of “eureka!”
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Mars
Thu 11 Jan 2007
Melvyn Bragg discusses the planet Mars, a source of endless fascination in human history
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Constantinople Siege and Fall
Thu 28 Dec 2006
Melvyn Bragg examines the 1453 siege of Constantinople which ended the Byzantine Empire.
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Hell
Thu 21 Dec 2006
Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss the history of Hell and its representation in the arts.
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Indian Mathematics
Thu 14 Dec 2006
Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss the 5000 year long story of Indian Maths.
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The Speed of Light
Thu 30 Nov 2006
Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss the speed of light, lynchpin of Einstein’s universe.
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Altruism
Thu 23 Nov 2006
Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss philosophical and evolutionary arguments over altruism.
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The Peasants’ Revolt
Thu 16 Nov 2006
Melvyn Bragg examines the 1381 Peasants’ Revolt, a pivotal moment in England’s history.
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The Poincaré Conjecture
Thu 2 Nov 2006
Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss a puzzle that may explain the shape of the universe.
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The Encyclopédie
Thu 26 Oct 2006
Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss one of the great achievements of the Enlightenment.
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The Needham Question
Thu 19 Oct 2006
Melvyn Bragg examines the Needham Question; why Europe, not China made modern technology.
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The Diet of Worms
Thu 12 Oct 2006
Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss the events that helped trigger the European Reformation.
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Averroes
Thu 5 Oct 2006
Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss the 12th century Islamic philosopher, Averroes.
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Humboldt
Thu 28 Sep 2006
Melvyn Bragg examines the Prussian naturalist and explorer, Alexander Von Humboldt.
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Comedy in Ancient Greek Theatre
Thu 13 Jul 2006
Melvyn Bragg explores comedy in Ancient Greek theatre including Aristophanes and Menander.
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Pastoral Literature
Thu 6 Jul 2006
Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss pastoral literature from Virgil to Dylan Thomas.
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The Spanish Inquisition
Thu 22 Jun 2006
Melvyn Bragg examines the Spanish Inquisition, defenders of medieval orthodoxy.
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Carbon
Thu 15 Jun 2006
Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss carbon, which forms the basis of all organic life.
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Uncle Tom's Cabin
Thu 8 Jun 2006
Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss the 19th century anti-slavery novel, 'Uncle Tom's Cabin'.
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