A Point of View

A weekly reflection on a topical issue.

Radio 4,839 episodes

Episodes

ListGrid

Dame Mary Cartwright
Lisa Jardine celebrates the achievements of wartime mathematician Dame Mary Cartwright.
08 Mar 2013,10 mins
Modern Medicis
Lisa Jardine celebrates the influence of art connoisseur Sir Denis Mahon.
01 Mar 2013,10 mins
The Winter Queen
Lisa Jardine celebrates Elizabeth of Bohemia, who deserves a larger place in history.
22 Feb 2013,10 mins
In Praise of Birmingham
David Cannadine defends Birmingham against a slur in Jane Austen's Emma.
15 Feb 2013,10 mins
Grand Central celebration
David Cannadine celebrates the saving of New York's century-old Grand Central station.
08 Feb 2013,10 mins
The Love of Bears
David Cannadine reflects on the enduring appeal of the teddy bear in contemporary culture.
01 Feb 2013,10 mins
Presidential Inaugurations
David Cannadine reflects on the history of American presidential inaugurations.
25 Jan 2013,10 mins
Urban Designs
Will Self laments what he sees as an absence of rational urban planning in our big cities.
18 Jan 2013,10 mins
Terminal Thoughts
Will Self wants to 'nudge society in the direction of considering suicide acceptable'.
11 Jan 2013,10 mins
Will Self: The British Vomitorium
With the excesses of Christmas behind us, Will Self appeals for a major lifestyle change.
28 Dec 2012,10 mins
Economics Priesthood
Will Self warns against the false prophets of the new priesthood of economics.
21 Dec 2012,10 mins
Digital Past
Will Self reflects on the effect of digital technology on his perception of time.
14 Dec 2012,10 mins
Trustworthiness Before Trust
Onora O'Neill reflects anew on the theme of trust, the subject of her Reith lectures.
07 Dec 2012,10 mins
Are students getting their money's worth?
Mary Beard reflects on why 'customer satisfaction' surveys have no place in universities.
30 Nov 2012,10 mins
On Pompeii
Mary Beard ponders the rights and wrongs of archaeological restoration.
23 Nov 2012,10 mins
Mary Beard: Age of Consent
Mary Beard reflects on the arbitrary nature of some laws, including the age of consent.
16 Nov 2012,10 mins
Rich man, poor man
Mary Beard on the long history of the rich looking down their noses at the poor.
09 Nov 2012,10 mins
Understanding Contemporary China 4/4
How can the undemocratic Chinese state enjoy authority in the eyes of its population?
02 Nov 2012,10 mins
Who are the Chinese? 3/4
In his third talk on understanding China, Martin Jacques explores the nature of race.
26 Oct 2012,10 mins
What Will China Be Like as a Superpower? 2/4
In his second talk on understanding China, Martin Jacques examines the tributary system.
19 Oct 2012,10 mins
Understanding Contemporary China 1/4
Martin Jacques presents a personal view on how best to understand contemporary China.
12 Oct 2012,10 mins
Presenting the Past
Sarah Dunant reflects on the role of history in society, and how it changes over time.
05 Oct 2012,10 mins
Mouthing Off
Sarah Dunant takes a look at teeth through the ages, and dentistry in times of austerity.
28 Sep 2012,10 mins
Sweet charity
Sarah Dunant reflects on the growing importance of charity shops in times of austerity.
21 Sep 2012,10 mins
In Search of Prizes
Sarah Dunant explores the merit of literary prizes as the Man Booker shortlist is revealed
14 Sep 2012,10 mins
The alchemy of memory
John Gray explores the role of memory in giving meaning to our lives.
31 Aug 2012,10 mins
The trouble with 'freedom'
John Gray looks at the relationship between freedom and democracy.
24 Aug 2012,10 mins
Sherlock Holmes and the Romance of Reason
John Gray reflects on the enduring appeal of Sherlock Holmes' powers of deduction.
17 Aug 2012,10 mins
Climate for Culture
John Gray reflects on the climate needed for culture to thrive.
10 Aug 2012,10 mins
Price of a Postage Stamp
Philosopher John Gray wonders what bulk buying of stamps tells us about economic gloom.
03 Aug 2012,10 mins