Product Description

"And Now on Radio 4" offers an enthusiast's guide to the shows that have made Radio 4 what it is, and also explores some of the wonderful corners of the network's history that are long forgotten by all but a few. Who, for instance, now recalls Ronnie Barker's starring role on Radio 4 in a sophisticated cabaret-cum-sketch-show called "Lines from My Grandfather's Forehead"? What about Spike Milligan's intimate, soul-bearing account of his upbringing in colonial India, "Plain Tales from the Raj"? And who now remembers that "Start the Week" was once hosted by Russell Harty, a bit of programming compared by one insider to letting Graham Norton run Newsnight. In order to reflect the way devotees listen to Radio 4, the book is organised not on simple chronological lines but in the form of a typical day. Chapter by chapter, the day evolves, from "Farming Today", through the daily feast that is "Today", through the morning menu of conversation, "Woman's Hour", documentary and comedy. Lunchtime brings The World at One. The early evening, of course, yields "The Archers". And finally, there's "Book at Bedtime" and "Sailing By". An addictive mix of history, biography, anecdote and occasional useless fact, this is the perfect book for Radio 4 aficionados.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #219567 in Books
• Published on: 2007-09-27
• Original language: English
• Binding: Hardcover
• 288 pages

The Times, 29 September 2007
`cosy, celebratory ... It is a happy book, celebrating Radio 4 as above all a friend and companion.'

The Independent, 28 September 2007
'congenial - chatty, a little bit personal ... it's hard to imagine what more a Radio 4 fan could want.'

The Guardian, September 2007
'insiderish'

Customer Reviews

Primarily for Radio 4 Aficionados
As a lifelong Radio 4 listener I rather enjoyed this jaunt through the history and methodology of my favourite listening post. Each chapter deals with a segment of the Radio 4 programming day, starting at dawn and working through to 'Sailing By', with lots of interesting asides, mini-biographies, and juicy titbits about famous and infamous management decisions.

Within each chapter are 'boxes' giving additional outlines about well-know or well-loved personalities and so on. The idea is a good one, but I found the endless asides impaired thr general flow of my reading so eventually resorted to reading them only when I had finished whole chapters.

If you are keen Radio 4 listener you are bound to find something interesting in this (I loved details about sound effects in 'The Archers', for example). But Radio 4 is also a kind of strange freemasonry with its own rules which regulars love and others probably hate. If you are not already intimate with its routines this book may be best avoided.

A comfort blanket for the soul of middle England
If, like me, you have Radio Four within your DNA; if you still miss Fritz Spiegl's evocative UK theme in the morning and can only sleep to the gently intoned litany of Viking Faroes Dogger et al; if truth sounds like Sue Mcgregor, wisdom like Jenny Murray and you are still sitting comfortably, ready to begin then coming across the book is like finding a never-before seen family photo album and scrapbook, and appreciating those around you to day, buy getting to know their roots and what came before. A hot water bottle for those whose mornings start with the courtesy of Lionel Blue returning us to Jim and John and whose afternoons perk up with PM at 5 PM and whose ears yearn for the sounds that are forever Ambridge.

Radio 4 is good for you
A well thought out journey through the Radio 4 day commenting on programmes past and present with insights into the art of the scheduler and profiles of famous presenters.
The book shows how Radio 4 has evolved from the old Home Service to become a well respected speech based radio station. Perhaps a book for those who already know and love Radio 4.