Radio History

Bloomsbury presents The Musical Human by Michael Spitzer, read by Daniel Levitin. A RADIO 4 BOOK OF THE WEEK 'Full of delightful nuggets' Guardian online 'Entertaining, informative and philosphical ... An essential read' All About History 'Extraordinary range ... All the world and more is here'...

Christopher Lee's highly-acclaimed and award-winning BBC Radio 4 history of the British Empire. Britain had the biggest empire the world has ever known. At one time a quarter of the global land mass was British. Over a third of the world was insured at Lloyds. At his coronation, more than 400...

The Wireless World sets out a new research agenda for the history of international broadcasting, and for radio history more generally. It examines global and transnational histories of long-distance wireless broadcasting, combining perspectives from international history, media and cultural history, the history of technology, and sound studies. Bringing together their knowledge of a wide range of different countries, languages, and archives, the coauthors show how broadcasters and states deployed international broadcasting as a tool of international communication and persuasion.

Christopher Andrew and guests ask what would have happened if major historical moments had taken a different course In these 34 intriguing episodes, leading historian Christopher Andrew rewrites history, considering what might have transpired if pivotal events had turned out differently. By...

David Reynolds’ major BBC Radio 4 series explores the origins of contemporary USA from its beginnings to the present day This epic narrative tells America’s story through the voices of those who lived it - presidents and farmers, mothers and children, settlers and soldiers, slaves and...

Friendships, for many of us, are at the very centre of our daily existence and identity. Yet it hasn't always been this way. Our modern view of what makes a friend is shaped by centuries of political and social upheaval. In this landmark study, Dr Thomas Dixon considers both the differences and similarities between friendships in history and those we experience today.

Until the time of her death in 2003, much-loved actress Thora Hird worked regularly with the playwright Alan Bennett. Now, in a specially written introduction and postscript, Bennett recalls his work and friendship with Thora, and introduces three examples of their collaboration. In The Last of...

Uncover the gripping military history of how invisible wireless technology became the ultimate weapon in global warfare. Perfect for an immersive commute, this tense narrative transports you from WWI trenches to top-secret naval war rooms. Listen as rogue dreamers and brilliant codebreakers...

Brought to you by Penguin. Explore how music has changed our world through 50 pieces across classical, folk and world traditions with BBC presenter Tom Service, in this official Radio 3 compendium. Music transports us and defines us. As a form of expression, it has been passed down through oral...

Doc Savage is the prototype of the modern fictional superhero. The character exploded onto the scene in 1933, with the Great Depression and the gathering clouds of war as a cultural backdrop. The adventure series is examined in relation to historical events and the changing tastes of readers, with special attention paid to the horror and science fiction elements. The artwork features illustrations, covers, and original art. Chapters cover Doc Savage paperbacks, pulp magazines, comic books, and fanzines, and an appendix offers biographies of all major contributors to the series.

Witness how invisible electromagnetic waves sparked a communications revolution that permanently altered global history. Perfect for an engaging morning commute, this dramatic deep dive traces the thrilling leap from early telegraphs to the golden age of broadcasting. Feel the nostalgic wonder...

Ian Hislop takes a hilarious look at some of Britain's oldest jokes The British are rather proud of their sense of humour - but where has that pride come from and what makes it unique? With the help of contemporary comedians, scholars and an appetite for enduring humour, Ian Hislop tracks down...

Jewell uncovers how battles to control college radio were about more than music—they were an influential, if unexpected, front in the nation's culture wars. These battles created unintended consequences and overlooked contributions to popular culture that students, DJs, and listeners never anticipated. More than an ode to beloved stations, this book will resonate with both music fans and observers of the politics of culture.

Bloomsbury presents The Musical Human by Michael Spitzer, read by Daniel Levitin. "Michael Spitzer has pulled off the impossible: a Guns, Germs and Steel for music." —Daniel Levitin A colossal history spanning cultures, time, and space to explore the vibrant relationship between music and the...

What a time it was. Suddenly, all across Nottingham, the UK's ninth biggest city, transmitters were crackling into life with another kind of voice, another kind of sound. In a way, we were back to the '60s. And in a way, we weren't. It all happened in the city of Robin Hood; but it could have been anywhere in the UK, where similar stories were being played out by like-minded individuals who were starting to realize that something was very, very wrong.... Make no mistake. This is the story of a revolution.

A funny, fascinating and personal look at 100 years of history in the BBC archives Historian Greg Jenner uses a random date generator to visit somewhere in the BBC's vast archives of remarkable sound clips from the last 100 years. Using that clip as a jumping-off point to explore what has...

Crack of the Bat takes listeners from the 1920s to the present, examining the role of baseball in the development of the radio industry and the complex coevolution of their relationship. Despite cable television’s ubiquity, live video streaming, and social media, radio remains an important medium through which fans engage with their teams.

Radio Pro is several books in one, covering every aspect of personality radio—from the history of pioneer broadcasters to how to become a successful personality. Forty-one-year radio pro Joe Martelle also brings together a richly varied selection of candid comments on the subject from over 150...

Based on a true story, a gripping historical novel about a German immigrant who becomes embroiled in a Nazi spy ring operating in New York City in the early days of World War II. At the end of the 1930s, Europe is engulfed in war. Though America is far from the fighting, the streets of New York...

The Radio Right tells the story of the 1960s far right, who were frustrated by what they perceived to be liberal bias in the national media, particularly the media's sycophantic relationship with the John F. Kennedy administration. By the early 1960s, millions of Americans listened each week to conservative broadcasters, the most prominent of which were clergy or lay broadcasters from across the religious spectrum, including Carl McIntire, Billy James Hargis, and Clarence Manion.