Podcast Episodes

Ludwig II of Bavaria

Brian Sewell on his long-standing love of "Mad" King Ludwig II of Bavaria, who built the ultimate fantasy castle at Neuschwanstein. From his first fa…

14 years, 5 months ago

Thomas Hobbes

Thomas Hobbes: the writer and psychologist Steven Pinker joins Matthew Parris to discuss the life of the great English philosopher. Noel Malcolm from…

14 years, 5 months ago

Ludwig Wittgenstein

Ludwig Wittgenstein, the fascinating and misunderstood genius who changed the course of philosophy, is chosen by writer Raymond Tallis. With biograph…

14 years, 5 months ago

Philip K Dick

Actor Michael Sheen (Frost/Nixon; The Queen; Midnight in Paris) explores the life of Philip K. Dick with Matthew Parris, and explains why he had such…

14 years, 5 months ago

William Shakespeare

No less a figure than the national bard, William Shakespeare, is nominated for great life status by poetry curator and TV producer, Daisy Goodwin. Do…

14 years, 7 months ago

Gerald Durrell

Former England footballer Graeme le Saux champions the life of writer, broadcaster and conservationist Gerald Durrell.

Graeme and presenter Matthew P…

14 years, 8 months ago

Hildegard Von Bingen

When the singer Cerys Matthews first played the music of the 12th century nun, Hildegard von Bingen, on her BBC 6 music show, she said she felt she c…

14 years, 8 months ago

Edwin Lutyens

If Edwin Lutyens, the architect behind New Delhi, the Cenotaph, and the British embassy in Washington, sounds an austere, imperial figure then think …

14 years, 8 months ago

Hans Fallada

The Fast Show comedian Simon Day tells Matthew Parris why he's fascinated by the life and work of German author Hans Fallada. Matthew is also joined …

14 years, 8 months ago

Eduardo Paolozzi

This week's Great Life, Sir Eduardo Paolozzi, hated being tagged as the father of pop art, yet his representations of images from popular culture cam…

14 years, 9 months ago