John O'Farrell - An Utterly Impartial History of Britain - BBC Radio
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(or 2000 Years of Upper Class Idiots in Charge)
Many of us were put off history by the dry and dreary way it was taught at school. Back then 'The Origins of the Industrial Revolution' somehow seemed less compelling than the chance to test the bold claim on Timothy Johnson's 'Shatterproof' ruler. But here at last is a chance to have a good laugh and learn all that stuff you feel you really ought to know by now...
In this "Horrible History for Grown Ups", you can read how Anglo-Saxon liberals struggled to be positive about immigration;
'Look I think we have to try and respect the religious customs of our new Viking friends - oi, he's nicked my bloody ox!'
Discover how England's peculiar class system was established by some snobby French nobles whose posh descendants still have wine cellars and second homes in the Dordogne today. And explore the complex socio-economic reasons why Britain's kings were the first in Europe to be brought to heel; (because the Stuarts were such a useless bunch of untalented, incompetent, arrogant, upper-class thickoes that Parliament didn't have much choice.)
A book about then that is also incisive and illuminating about now, "2000 Years of Upper Class Idiots in Charge" is a hilarious, informative and cantankerous journey through Britain' fascinating and bizarre history.
It is as entertaining as a witch burning, and a lot more laughs...
Episode 1: Dire Combustion
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Celebrating Bonfire Night with two historical sequences: the Gunpowder Plot and, 60 years later, the Fire of London.
Episode 2: The Invasion of the Vikings
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The Anglo Saxon era, with Alfred the Great, Ethelred the Unready and the arrival of the Scandinavians with names like Eric Bloodaxe, Guthrum, Thorfinn Skullsplitter and Olav Tidyhouse.
Episode 3: Revolting Times
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In the early 19th century, only 435,000 males could vote and all MPs who had no pay had to be property owning. It was time for reform and the Chartist movement.
With:
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John O’Farrell
Mark Perry
Jan Ravens
Rupert Degas.
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Type : mpeg 1 layer III
Bitrate : 128
Mode : joint stereo
Parts 1-3 of 5
Replies
An Utterly Impartial History of Britain by John O'Farrell
Episode 4: The Norman Conquest------------------------------
William, the illegitimate son of the Duke of Normandy and a tanner's daughter, defeats King Harold at Hastings and becomes William the Conqueror, introducing Britain to his fancy French ways, including red or white wine.
Episode 5: Their Finest Hour
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How a two-minute silence from Winston Churchill changes the whole course of the war. O'Farrell has a surprisingly high opinion of Churchill as prime minister during the Second World War in this the final extract from his latest book.
With:
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John O’Farrell
Mark Perry
Jan Ravens
Rupert Degas.
An Utterly Impartial History of Britain - 4 of 5.mp3
An Utterly Impartial History of Britain - 5 of 5.mp3
Great stuff! Thank you.