This month, Sarah Dunant looks at what history can tell us about irrationality. Conspiracy theories, anti-vaccination movements and climate change denial are modern examples of ideas that stubbornly cling on in the face of facts.Drawing on a ra

Consider the Walrus: what can history tell us about the climate crisis?

Jun 3rd, 2019 27m 49s

This month, Sarah Dunant looks to the past to help us think about the most pressing issue facing the world today - climate change. Although the problem is a relatively modern one, humans have been grappling with the damage that they inflict on

Fake History

May 6th, 2019 27m 50s

This month, Sarah Dunant explores the history of fake history.In March this year, the Christchurch attacker invoked a twisted interpretation of medieval history and the crusades to justify his terrorist attack on a mosque. In this programme, Dr

Into the World

Apr 1st, 2019 27m 45s

At a moment when Brexit and our carbon footprints are prompting us to reassess what it means to move around the world, Sarah Dunant looks at the long history of travel and the ways it has enchanted and alarmed us across the centuries.The anxiet

The Shame Game

Mar 4th, 2019 27m 55s

Shame is back. This month, Sarah Dunant delves into the long and deep history of shame, exploring how it has shaped our lives and behaviour at every point in history. Whether it’s thieves on display in the medieval stocks or the forcible head-s

Deadlock

Feb 4th, 2019 27m 49s

Sarah Dunant presents a monthly dive into stories from the past that might help us make sense of today. This month, as the gears of government grind to a standstill on both sides of the Atlantic, Sarah looks to historical deadlocks and the some

Sleep: A Third of Human History

Jan 7th, 2019 27m 51s

Sarah Dunant presents a monthly dive into stories from the past that might help us make sense of today. This month, she examines sleep as a source of preoccupation and worry throughout history.Are you feeling tired? How many hours did you get l

Poison: The Invisible Assassin

Dec 3rd, 2018 27m 49s

Sarah Dunant presents a monthly dive into stories from the past that might help us make sense of today. In this month's episode, Sarah looks at the use of poison in history.After a year that saw the poisoning of a former Russian spy in Salisbur

Promises, Promises

Nov 5th, 2018 27m 52s

Sarah Dunant presents a monthly dive into stories from the past that might help us make sense of today. This month, as Theresa May‘s Brexit negotiations approach crunch point, Sarah examines promises throughout history, how they bound rulers an

The Dating Game

Oct 4th, 2018 27m 55s

Historical novelist Sarah Dunant presents a monthly dive into stories from the past that might help us make sense of today. In this month's episode, the complex task of dating. Sarah's going behind closed doors to eavesdrop on the most intimat

Beyond Your Command

Mar 25th, 2018 32m 42s

In this monthly series, broadcaster and acclaimed historical novelist Sarah Dunant, delves into the past to help frame the present, bringing to life worlds that span the centuries.Following the Parklands shooting in America and the eruption of

The Deal

Feb 27th, 2018 35m 7s

In this monthly series, broadcaster and acclaimed historical novelist Sarah Dunant, delves into the past to help frame the present, bringing to life worlds that span the centuries. Taking a different modern day anxiety, hope or idea as its star

Resist

Feb 9th, 2018 27m 50s

In this monthly series, broadcaster and acclaimed historical novelist Sarah Dunant, delves into the past to help frame the present, bringing to life worlds that span the centuries. This month Sarah is looking at antibiotic resistance. As health

This Old Year

Dec 31st, 2017 27m 47s

In this final episode of 2017, broadcaster and acclaimed historical novelist Sarah Dunant, delves into the past to help frame moments from the year, as picked by historians, bringing to life worlds that span the centuries.From the East India Co

Speaking Out

Nov 30th, 2017 27m 48s

In this monthly series, broadcaster and acclaimed historical novelist Sarah Dunant, delves into the past to help frame the present, bringing to life worlds that span the centuries. Taking a different modern day anxiety, hope or idea as its star

Episode 4

Oct 31st, 2017 27m 41s

A monthly series in which broadcaster and acclaimed historical novelist Sarah Dunant delves into the past to help frame the present, bringing to life worlds that span the centuries. Taking modern day anxieties as its starting point, the program

IOU

Sep 24th, 2017 28m 12s

Take it to the Brink

Aug 30th, 2017 28m 26s

A monthly series in which broadcaster and acclaimed historical novelist Sarah Dunant delves into the past to help frame the present, bringing to life worlds that span the centuries.Taking modern day anxieties as its starting point, the programm

Generational Breakdown

Jul 30th, 2017 29m 18s

In this new monthly series, broadcaster and acclaimed historical novelist Sarah Dunant, delves into the past to help frame the present, bringing to life worlds that span the centuries. Taking modern day anxieties as its starting point, the seri

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