Roundup

The Berkeleys [audio 15min]

One of Britain's longest-surviving families, great landowners in the middle ages, who were famously involved in the grisly murder of a king "This Sceptred Isle: Dynasties" is a narrative history charting over a thousand years of influence wielded by the power brokers of Britain and Ireland, told in 10 programmes written by historian Christopher Lee and narrated by actor Anna Massey, with readings by actor Robert Powell.

After Empire: What Happened Next? [audio 15min]

"Empire" 90th of 90: The dismantling of empire went on until the 1970s and 80s. Not all went. Britain still has (sometimes reluctantly) crown colonies. WWII changed the strategic shape and politics of the globe. The invention of long-range aircraft and nuclear bombs changed the rules of deterrence. Yet some still believed in a greater Britain, a third empire and that the answer to Britain's economic woes had to be in Africa. The basic objectives in Africa were large-scale self-governin

Global Politics of Oil [audio 51min]

Some energy analysts predict far reaching political and economic changes as oil rich developing countries gain global market leverage. We talk about possible shifts ahead and their political implications. Guests: Chip Cummins, reporter, Wall Street Journal; Robert Lieber, professor of government and international affairs, Georgetown University, and author of books including The Oil Decade and The American Era: Power and Strategy for the 21st Century; Charles Doran, professor

Immigration Rhetoric: 'Untied States of America' [audio 5min]

President Bush recently warned against the"harsh, ugly rhetoric" in the debate over immigration. Author Juan Enriquez says the brutal language being used in that debate threatens to tear the country apart. Enriquez writes about those divisive factors in his book The Untied States of America: Polarization, Fracturing, and Our Future."Countries are actually very fragile entities," Enriquez says."Three-quarters of the flags, borders and anthems in the world did not exist 50 years ago. It's a

Kentucky Schools Reverse Decision on Eliminating 'BC' [audio 1min]

Kentucky's state school board approved a plan to teach a secular alternative to the calendar abbreviations BC and AD In April, the board adopted "Before Common Era" as part of the curriculum. Some religious conservatives complained that BCE did not mention Christ. When the board members' terms expired, the governor appointed new members, who have voted unanimously to undo the policy.

Eric Zuesse: Why History Matters (About Hitler's Failure to Distinguish Between History & Myth)

[Eric Zuesse, winner of the Mencken Award for investigative reporting, is the author most recently of Iraq War, from Delphic Press, and the e-book, WHY the Holocaust Happened: Its Religious Cause & Scholarly Cover-Up, from www.SuperiorBooks.com. Dell Publishing Co., Crown Publishing Co., The New York Times, Reason magazine, and others have published his earlier works.] In my (2000) book WHY the Holocaust Happened, I argued that the Holo

The Churchills [audio 15min]

The Churchills produced two of the greatest leaders in British history. They achieved prominence during the Restoration but rose to another zenith in the 19th and 20 centuries. "This Sceptred Isle: Dynasties" is a narrative history charting over a thousand years of influence wielded by the power brokers of Britain and Ireland, told in 10 programmes written by historian Christopher Lee and narrated by actor Anna Massey, with readings by actor Robert Powell.

India: Independence [audio 15min]

The light of the British empire was extinguished in 1947. Without India, there was no empire. In theory, India might have gained independence earlier but for three conflicts: First, Britain struggled with the principle of independence. Second, WWII meant Britain was not geared to creating the circumstances for letting go. Third, the Indians themselves failed to unify. "This Sceptred Isle: Empire" is a narrative history of the British Empire from Ireland in the 12th century to the inde

Annie Oakley — The Myth and the Musical [audio 9min]

It is 60 years since Irving Berlin’s musical Annie Get Your Gun was first performed on Broadway. In 1950 it was made into a feature film and has been regularly revived ever since. The role of sharp-shooter Annie Oakley has been taken by actresses including Ethel Mermen, Doris Day, Suzi Quatro and, more recently, Bernadette Peters. But what do we know of the real woman on whom the musical was based — Phoebe Moses, a poor Quaker from rural Ohio? And how far does this fictional account refle

Debating the Protocols of Flag Day [audio 4min]

On Flag Day, Robert Siegel and Michele Norris explore the issue surrounding several states' decision to lower the U.S. flag to half-staff to honor servicemen and -women on the day they are buried. Michigan is doing just that, as are at least 12 other states. We speak to an 81-year-old veteran who opposes the lowering of the flag because such an action was not taken in earlier conflicts.

Flag Day, the Flag as Art [audio 10min]

Vexillologist -- flag expert -- Jim Ferrigan talkes about how Flag Day started, and why the American flag is such a powerful symbol.

Kurt Vonnegut Interview [30min]

Mark Lawson meets the writer Kurt Vonnegut, author of the novel Slaughterhouse Five, whose latest book, A Man Without a Country, takes the form of a memoir reflecting on life in America now.

Author and Wife Reunited in Death [audio 6min @06:18]

The American writer Nathaniel Hawthorne, author of The Scarlet Letter, is to be reunited with his wife, Sophie, after more than 130 years. The Hawthorne plot in Kensal Green Cemetery where Sophie and their daughter Una were buried was being destroyed by the roots of a Hawthorne tree. On hearing news of the disrepair, the family decided that Sophie and Nathaniel should be together. At dawn on June 1st their bodies were exhumed and sent to America, where they will join Nathaniel Hawthorne i

Our Long Legacy of Slackers [audio 4min]

Tom Lutz talks to host Kai Ryssdal about his new book on the history of slackers in America. You know, like Benjamin Franklin. Doing Nothing: A History of Loafers, Loungers, Slackers, and Bums in America is published by Farrar Straus Giroux.

God, the Founding Fathers, and the Making of a Nation [audio 51min]

Jon Meacham, author of American Gospel: God, the Founding Fathers, and the Making of a Nation (Random House), looks back at how the founding fathers struggled to assign religion its proper place in society and why the balance they struck remains critical today. Meacham is managing editor of Newsweek; his previous book is Franklin and Winston: An Intimate Portrait of an Epic Friendship..

The Front Lines of the Class War from 1927 to Today [video 14min]

Investigative journalist Greg Palast discusses the disenfranchising of black voters from the voters rolls and what he calls"other dispatches front lines of the class war." Palast is an investigative reporter with the BBC. His latest book is titled Armed Madhouse: Who's Afraid of Osama Wolf?, China Floats, Bush Sinks, The Scheme to Steal '08, No Child's Behind Left, and Other Dispatches from the Front Lines of the Class War (Dutton Adult).

Immigration Reform [audio 51min]

The Senate is considering sweeping reforms that give some undocumented immigrants a chance to become permanent residents and citizens. But the proposals have met with stiff opposition from those who want to focus immigration reform on tightening our borders and punishing or deporting illegal immigrants. Join us on this edition of "Justice Talking" as we take a thorough look at immigration policy and border security. We’ll ask if there is a way to prevent illegal border crossings, accom

The Despensers [audio 15min]

The first of the medieval power brokers, the greedy and corrupt Despensers exerted a short-lived influence, but it was, to say the least, a colourful time in British history. Their power spanned the reigns of three monarchs yet, in the end, it brought them nothing but tragedy. "This Sceptred Isle: Dynasties" is a narrative history charting over a thousand years of influence wielded by the power brokers of Britain and Ireland, told in 10 programmes written by historian Christopher Lee a

The Irish Dynasties [audio 15min]

The MacMurroughs', the Fitzgeralds', and the O'Neills' relationships were as influential as any of English dynasties. The mighty rebel Irish peers were a thorn in the side of England until the death of the 'Great O'Neill'. "This Sceptred Isle: Dynasties" is a narrative history charting over a thousand years of influence wielded by the power brokers of Britain and Ireland, told in 10 programmes written by historian Christopher Lee and narrated by actor Anna Massey, with readings by acto

British Politics, Victorian and Contemporary [audio 15min]

Douglas Hurd explores the relevance to politics today of the political insights of the Victorian novelist Anthony Trollope, covering themes ranging from political motivation to the problems Prime Ministers have in finding the right time to go. Former PM John Major gives his views. Hurd is a British Conservative politician who served in the governments of John Major and Margaret Thatcher.