Roundup

Saudi Ambassadorship Signals Rift in Royal Family [5min]

There is a large and public rift between two key players in the Saudi royal family. Last month, Prince Turki al-Faisal abruptly resigned his post as Saudi ambassador to the United States, reportedly out of anger that his predecessor, Prince Bandar, was making not-so-secret visits to administration officials in Washington. It is widely known that there is a rivalry between the two men, who come from two different lines of the royal family. But the recent developments could signal something much d

Diana Dors Was Britain's Blonde Bombshell [30min]

Honor Blackman -- Bond girl 'Pussy Galore' in Goldfinger and 'Dr. Cathy Gale' in The Avengers -- pays tribute to actress and personality Diana Dors, otherwise known as Britain's Blonde Bombshell. Born in 1931, Diana Fluck entered the acting profession at an early age after winning a modelling competition, and then became a trainee at J Arthur Rank's Company of Youth, otherwise known as the Rank Charm School. Initially marketed as a home-grown sex symbol to rival Marilyn Monroe, her

Archbishop's Fall Reawakens Debate in Poland [4min]

The resignation of the new archbishop of Warsaw, because of his links to the secret service of Poland's previous communist government, has highlighted the controversy over the country's attempt to come to terms with its communist past. Analysts say Poland has yet to undergo a true self-examination of its history under communism, or to examine fully the backgrounds of many highly placed officials, politicians and churchmen. Many Poles support such a process. But critics call it an excuse for a wi

Kon-Tiki's Greatest Impact on Popular Archaeology [30min]

It's 60 years since a crew of intrepid and hard-bitten Norwegians first set out on what was, on the face of it, a pretty flimsy premise -- that you could cross the mighty Pacific Ocean from Peru to Polynesia with nothing more solid than a balsawood raft. That raft, the Kon-Tiki, and the exploits of those Norwegians, led by the visionary Thor Heyerdahl, were to become world renowned. History presenter Tony Robinson -- 'Baldrick' of the Blackadder TV series -- tells the story of Heye

Joan of Arc's Secrets May Be Revealed by Human Ashes [audio 5min]

Scientists plan to conduct DNA tests on what are believed to be the ashes of Joan of Arc, kept in a French museum since the late 1800s. Forensic anthropologists hope to end a debate about who Joan was and how she died. Report by Anita Elash.

Spying Allegations Overshadow New Warsaw Archbishop [audio 4min]

Derek Scally of The Irish Times looks at the tangled tale of the spying priests, and the file on Stanislaw Wielgus who, according to documents found in Poland's communist archives in December 2006, conversed or even collaborated with the communist secret services during communist rule.

Baden-Powell Was Man's Man, Possibly Feminist, Too [audio 30min]

Arthur Smith presents the story of 100 years of the scouting movement and its idiosyncratic creator, Robert Baden-Powell -- a man's man, but possibly a feminist to boot. Former Scout Smith is an English comedian and writer. 2nd of 2 parts.

Vesta Tilley Was Greatest Male Impersonator on British Stage [audio 10min]

Vesta Tilley was one of Britain's most famous and highly paid Music Hall Artistes and best known male impersonators of her generation. Born in 1864, she first wore men's clothes on stage at the age of five, as she felt she could "express herself better if...dressed as a boy". She took an hour to get ready and would pad out her figure, plait her hair under a wig, wear men's underclothes and even take a full weight kit-bag onto stage when dressed as a soldier. She played the part of the

Ellison Takes Oath on Thomas Jefferson's Quran [audio 4min]

Newly elected Rep. Keith Ellison announced last month that he planned to take the oath of office with his hand on the Quran. The decision by the Minnesota Democrat, the first Muslim elected to Congress, drew criticism. But now Ellison says he plans to use a copy of the Quran once owned by Thomas Jefferson. Michele Norris talks with Mark Dimunation, chief of the Rare Book and Special Collections Division of the Library of Congress, who helped Ellison locate Jefferson's Quran.

John Murray Archives to Open [audio 15min]

One of the most extraordinary literary archives in the world is about to be revealed to the public. The John Murray publishing house saved more than 150,000 documents, manuscripts and letters from writers including Walter Scott, Disraeli, Darwin and Livingstone. Part 5 of 5: Vanessa Collingridge concludes the series on one of the most extraordinary literary archives in the world, from the John Murray publishing house, which is about to be revealed to the public.

Nathaniel Philbrick Examines History of Plymouth Colony [video 56min]

In Mayflower: A Story of Courage, Community, and War, author Nathaniel Philbrick chronicles the history of Plymouth Colony, founded on the west of present-day Massachusetts in 1620. Philbrick details the complex relationship between the English settlers and the Wampanaog Indians. He details the first Thanksgiving celebration and describes the early years in New England as peaceful. Philbrick explains that, over 50 years after the Pilgrims settled, the Indians waged war against them beginn

David Cannadine Discusses His Biography of Andrew Mellon [video 60min]

In his book Mellon: An American Life, author David Cannadine provides the first biography of one of the economic and political giants of the 20th Century. With the cooperation of both the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation and the Mellon family, Cannadine had full access to all archival materials and conducted interviews with family members that had never before been granted. He discusses the book with Leslie Schweitzer, Senior Trade Advisor to the United States Chamber of Commerce. Cannadine is

Investigator Who Captured Spy Jonathan Pollard Discusses Case [video 79min]

From the International Spy Museum in Washington, DC, Ronald Olive talks about his book, Capturing Jonathan Pollard: How One of the Most Notorious Spies in American History Was Brought to Justice. Pollard was charged with selling over a million pages of classified material to the government of Israel during the 1980s. As part of the discussion, Olive gives an overview of the case and shows some of the evidence used against Pollard. Olive led the investigation of Jonathan Pollard for the Na

Hal Vaughan Portrays WWII Victory for Amateur Diplomacy [video 62min]

In his book, FDR's 12 Apostles: The Spies Who Paved the Way for the Invasion of North Africa, Hal Vaughan tells the story of 12 men appointed by President Franklin Roosevelt to be vice consuls to North Africa in 1940. These men, who Vaughan describes as amateurs, worked inside the French Vichy government to encourage resistance to Vichy and German rule in North Africa. According to Vaughan, they helped prepare for the 1942 joint British-American invasion of Morocco and Algeria. Shortly af

Kon-Tiki Had Greatest Impact on Popular Archaeology [30min]

It's 60 years since a crew of intrepid and hard-bitten Norwegians first set out on what was, on the face of it, a pretty flimsy premise -- that you could cross the mighty Pacific Ocean from Peru to Polynesia with nothing more solid than a balsawood raft. That raft, the Kon-Tiki, and the exploits of those Norwegians, led by the visionary Thor Heyerdahl, were to become world renowned. History presenter Tony Robinson -- 'Baldrick' of the Blackadder TV series -- tells the story of Heye

Gilbert & Sullivan Lampooned Victorian Establishment [87min]

In this new series focusing on the brilliant satirical wit of Gilbert and Sullivan, presenter Alan Titchmarsh explores their operatic careers, and discovers how they not only founded the modern musical, but poked fun at the Victorian establishment.

Revisiting Aunt Jemima: 'Slave in a Box' [audio 6min]

For a look at the Aunt Jemima phenomenon both historically and culturally, Farai Chideya talks with Maurice Manring, author of Slave in a Box: The Strange Career of Aunt Jemima.

Mining history at the National Archives [audio 6min]

As 2006 comes to a close, the National Archives will begin releasing millions of previously classified documents that are 25 years or older. The papers' subject matter ranges from the New Deal to the Cold War. Report by Andrea Seabrook.

Conyers recalls beginning of Ford's presidency [audio 5min]

Over the coming days, Gerald R. Ford will receive the final honors accorded an American president. Rep. John Conyers Jr. witnessed the very beginning of Ford's presidency. Despite his own starring role on President Nixon's "enemies list," he was allowed to be in the room when Gerald Ford took the oath of office.

Does 1957 Intl Geophysical Year 2007 presage Intl Polar Year? [audio 60min]

It is a story of courage, sacrifice, rivalries and friendships, but 50 years after the first triumphant crossing of Antarctica, the story of the Trans-Antarctic Expedition is nearly forgotten. Set against the scientific frenzy of the International Geophysical Year of 1957, which saw the launch of the space age, Adam Fowler tracks down the survivors of the last great journey on Earth and asks what legacy they have left. As science communities across the world prepare for the International Polar Y