Start the Week
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Start the Week: Antonia Fraser: Democracy and Reform
Anne McElvoy talks to Antonia Fraser, David Graeber and Jesse Norman.
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STW: Antonia Fraser, David Graeber & Jesse Norman 20th...
Anne McElvoy explores movements and people that have changed the political landscape with the MP Jesse Norman; the historian Lady Antonia Fraser; and one of the co-founders of the Occupy movement, David Graeber.
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STW: Carrie Cracknell, Jonathan Biss, Tom Burns &...
Jonathan Freedland talks to director Carrie Cracknell; the pianist Jonathan Biss; the psychiatrist Tom Burns; and the psychologist Richard Bentall.
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STW: Brighton Festival 6th May 2013
Start the Week is at the Brighton Festival. Stephanie Flanders talks to the writer and Guest Festival Director this year, Michael Rosen; the writer and traveller Jay Griffiths; co-founder of interactive theatre group Blast Theory, Matt Adams; and the artist Mariele Neudecker.
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STW: Gavin Turk, Rick Gekoski, Paul Roberts & Tanya...
Lisa Jardine talks to the artist Gavin Turk; the rare book dealer & author Rick Gekoski; the curator of the Pompeii & Herculaneum exhibition at the British Museum, Paul Roberts; and the playwright Tanya Ronder.
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STW: Italy with Bernardo Bertolucci, Antonio Pappano,...
Tom Sutcliffe looks at the cultural history of Italy with the world renowned film director, Bernardo Bertolucci; the journalist and film-maker Annalisa Piras; the English born conductor with Italian roots, Antonio Pappano; and the Italophile Tim Parks.
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STW: Steve Jones, Adam Rutherford, Barbara Sahakian &...
Jonathan Freedland talks to Adam Rutherford, Barbara Sahakian, Steve Jones and Susan Aldworth about life, decision-making and our sense of self.
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STW: Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, Indhu Rubasingham, David...
Stephanie Flanders discusses the notion of 'home' and cultural identity with the novelist Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, director Indhu Rubasingham, journalist David Goodhart and poet Michael Symmons Roberts.
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STW: John Gray, Mary Beard, Mark Ravenhill & James...
Tom Sutcliffe discusses the 'myth' of progress with the poet and novelist James Lasdun; the classicist Mary Beard; playwright Mark Ravenhill; and the philosopher John Gray.
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STW: Mohsin Hamid, Peter Moffat, Bruce Norris &...
Allan Little talks to Pakistani novelist, Mohsin Hamid about 'how to get filthy rich in rising Asia'; the playwright, Bruce Norris on his new play, 'The Low Road'; author Katherine Boo on life in the Mumbai slums; and the turbulent times of an English village throughout the 20th century is the subject of Peter Moffat's latest television series.
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STW: David Cannadine, Margaret MacMillan, Ed Vulliamy &...
Lisa Jardine asks whether the writing of history has been dominated by conflict and difference. With historian Sir David Cannadine; journalist and author Ed Vulliamy; writer Aleksandar Hemon; and historian and writer Professor Margaret MacMillan.
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STW: Ken Loach, David Boyle, James Graham & Harriet...
On Start the Week Jonathan Freedland talks to Ken Loach about post-war Britain, and the spirit of unity which aimed to create a vision of a fairer society. With the playwright, James Graham; author, David Boyle; and Harriet Sergeant, author and Research Fellow of the Centre for Policy Studies.
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STW: The State of Feminism with Natasha Walter, Finn...
Anne McElvoy explores the state of feminism, fifty years since Betty Friedan's landmark book, The Feminine Mystique, questioned the role of women in society. With Natasha Walter, Catherine Hakim, Finn Mackay and Shereen El Feki.
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STW: The Commonwealth: Sir Don McKinnon, Kwasi Kwarteng,...
Bridget Kendall discusses the role of the Commonwealth with Sir Don McKinnon, Kwasi Kwarteng MP, Frances Harrison and Sir Ronald Sanders.
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STW: Mathematical Modelling: with Marcus du Sautoy and...
Lisa Jardine discusses how complex maths has broken free of the laboratory and now influences every aspect of our lives. With physicist, mathematician and philosopher James Owen Weatherall; mathematician Marcus du Sautoy; data editor of the Economist, Kenneth Cukier; and sociologist Tiffany Jenkins.
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STW: Afghanistan to Mali: with William Dalrymple &...
Bridget Kendall discusses the roots and reach of Islamist terrorism from Afghanistan to Africa with the historian William Dalrymple; the novelist Nadeem Aslam; academic and expert on Al-Qaeda Dr Christina Hellmich; and political analyst and expert on North Africa Imad Mesdoua.
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STW: Political Language: Joan Bakewell, Tim Montgomerie,...
Allan Little explores the legacy of George Orwell's essay 'Politics and the English Language'. Joan Bakewell, Tim Montgomerie, Chris Mullin and Phil Collins discuss Orwell's warning that evasive language, euphemism and insincerity dominate political writing, and assess the impact of today's political diaries, blogging and tweeting.
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STW: History of Music: John Adams, Howard Goodall, Barb...
Tom Sutcliffe talks to the composers John Adams and Howard Goodall, the singer Barb Jungr and screenwriter Stephen Poliakoff.
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STW: Natural Capital : Tony Juniper, Ngaire Woods,...
Anne Mcelvoy discusses the value of nature and how we communicate its value with meaning.With Tony Juniper, Ngaire Woods, William Fiennes & John Penrose.
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STW: Family Secrets: Deborah Cohen, Sarah Dunant,...
Andrew Marr discusses lies and secrets, and the increasing blurring of public and private with Deborah Cohen, Sarah Dunant, Stephen Grosz and Alex Graham.
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STW: The Human Voice: Rolando Villazn, Mark-Anthony...
Andrew Marr discusses the power of the human voice with Rolando Villazn, Mark-Anthony Turnage, Mary King and Michael Trimble.
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STW: Science Special: Peter Wothers, Helen Bynum, Ewan...
Andrew Marr talks to Peter Wothers, Helen Bynum, Ewan Birney and Sanjeev Gupta.
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STW: Scotland: Ian Rankin, Alasdair Gray, Joyce McMillan...
Andrew Marr on Scottishness with Ian Rankin, Alasdair Gray, Joyce McMillan and T M Devine.
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STW: Nuclear Iran: David Patrikarakos, Geoffrey...
Andrew Marr discusses nuclear weapons with Baroness Shirley Williams, Geoffrey Robertson QC, Douglas Murray and David Patrikarakos.
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STW: Germany and the EU: Katinka Barysch, Gisela Stuart,...
Andrew Marr discusses Germany with Katinka Barysch, Gisela Stuart, Douglas Carswell and Karen Leeder.
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STW: Art and Design: Christopher Frayling, Ron Arad,...
Andrew Marr discusses art and design with Antony Gormley, Christopher Frayling, Sarah Teasley and Ron Arad.
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STW: Kevin Macdonald, Aman Sethi, Roger Graef & Jenny...
Andrew Marr talks to the director Kevin Macdonald, the filmmaker Roger Graef, the biographer Jenny Uglow and the Indian writer Aman Sethi.
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STW: Political Divide: Michael Ignatieff, Mary Robinson...
Start the Week is at BBC Radio 3's Free Thinking Festival in Gateshead to debate whether the world is becoming a more divided place. Andrew Marr discusses the state of politics with the former President of Ireland Mary Robinson and the writer-turned-politician Michael Ignatieff, while the Israeli author Amos Oz asks whether entrenched ideas have increasingly polarised debate.
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STW: Torture, terrorism & secrets: Ian Cobain, David...
Andrew Marr discusses torture and secrets with Ian Cobain, David Anderson QC, Clare Bayley and M R Hall.
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STW: Modernism: Kevin Jackson, Ali Smith, Will Gompertz...
Andrew Marr talks to the writers Ali Smith and Kevin Jackson, the BBC's Arts Editor Will Gompertz and the composer Julian Anderson.
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STW: Richard Ford, Lionel Shriver, Edward Luce & Thomas...
Andrew Marr discusses the US with Richard Ford, Lionel Shriver, Edward Luce and Thomas Grant.
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STW: Diana Athill, Wendy Cope, Philip Hensher & Nigel...
Andrew Marr discusses the dying art of handwriting with the novelist Philip Hensher, whilst the author and publisher Diana Athill celebrates the art of correspondence. With the poet Wendy Cope and philosopher and blogger, Nigel Warburton.
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STW: Eastern Europe: Anne Applebaum, Victor Sebestyen,...
Andrew Marr discusses Eastern and Central Europe with the historians Anne Applebaum and Mark Mazower, and the journalists Victor Sebestyen and Helen Szamuely.
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STW: Grimm Tales: Philip Pullman, Keith Warner, Sara...
Andrew Marr celebrates myth and fairy tales with the authors Philip Pullman, and Sara Maitland, and the directors Tim Supple and Keith Warner.
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STW: Salman Rushdie 17th September 2012
In a special edition of Start the Week Andrew Marr talks to Salman Rushdie.
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STW: Maajid Nawaz, Christopher Meyer, Elizabeth Truss &...
Andrew Marr talks to Maajid Nawaz about his journey from Islamist extremist to a champion of democracy. National identity and the state of the nation is at the heart of Robert Chesshyre's book; Conservative MP Elizabeth Truss, looks to an alternative future where "decline is not inevitable." And the former ambassador, Sir Christopher Meyer, turns his attention to the rich and powerful across the world, to see how different power networks operate.
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STW: The 'Life Unlived': Adam Phillips, Julian Baggini,...
Andrew Marr goes in search of a better life with the psychoanalyst Adam Phillips; the philosopher Julian Baggini; the poet Helen Dunmore; and the scientist Frances Ashcroft.
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STW: Science & Politics with David Nutt, Mark Henderson,...
Andrew Marr asks how far scientific evidence can influence the political agenda. His guests are Professor David Nutt, MP David Blunkett, Jill Rutter from the Institute for Government and science writer Mark Henderson.
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STW: World War II with Antony Beevor, Max Hastings,...
Andrew Marr discusses World War II with Antony Beevor; Max Hastings; Niall Ferguson; and Juliet Gardiner.
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STW: Andrew Marr at the Charleston Festival with Grayson...
Andrew Marr at the Charleston Festival with the artist Grayson Perry; writer and trustee of Charleston Virginia Nicholson; historian Faramerz Dabhoiwala; and writer Janice Galloway.
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STW: Thomas Heatherwick, Jonathan Meades, Anna Minton &...
Andrew Marr discusses landscape and architecture with Thomas Heatherwick; Jonathan Meades; Anna Minton; and Robert Macfarlane.
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STW: Michael Sandel, Diane Coyle & Grigory Yavlinksy...
Andrew Marr discusses the relationship between markets and morals with the political philosopher Michael Sandel; and the economists Diane Coyle and Grigory Yavlinsky.
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STW: Spain in Crisis with Paul Preston, Maria Delgado,...
Andrew Marr discusses Spain's economic crisis, and the legacy of Franco with historian Paul Preston; academic and film critic Maria Delgado; MEP Daniel Hannan; and economist Iain Begg.
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STW: Nick Harkaway, Charles Arthur, Simon Ings & Anab...
Andrew Marr looks into the digital future with Nick Harkaway, Charles Arthur, Simon Ings and Anab Jain.
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STW: Creativity with Jonah Lehrer, Joanna Kavenna,...
Andrew Marr discusses the science of creativity with neuroscientist Jonah Lehrer; author Joanna Kavenna; musician and sound artist Scanner; and chemist Rachel O'Reilly.
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STW: National Identity with Iain Banks, David Hare,...
Andrew Marr discusses national identity and belonging with the author Iain Banks; the playwright David Hare; the composer George Benjamin; and the writer Rachel Seiffert.
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STW: China with Jonathan Fenby, Martin Jacques, Julia...
Andrew Marr discusses the state of China with the authors Jonathan Fenby and Martin Jacques; the magazine editor and documentary film maker, Ou Ning; and the academic, writer and translator Julia Lovell.
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STW: Curiosity: Peter Carey, Philip Ball & Rebecca Stott
Andrew Marr discusses scientific curiosity with author Peter Carey and the writers Philip Ball and Rebecca Stott.
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STW: Alwyn Turner, Janet Daley, Martin Rowson & Tristram...
Andrew Marr looks back at the political and cultural landscape of the last 20 years and asks whether Margaret Thatcher was right when she pronounced the death of socialism after the Conservative election victory in 1992. He is joined by the author Alwyn Turner; the journalist Janet Daley; the Labour MP Tristram Hunt; and the political cartoonist Martin Rowson.
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STW: Werner Herzog, Geoff Dyer, Paul Farley and Liz...
Anne McElvoy explores ways of seeing with filmmaker Werner Herzog, writer Geoff Dyer, poet Paul Farley and filmmaker Liz Mermin.
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STW: Africa: Nadine Gordimer, Jack Mapanje and Richard...
Andrew Marr talks to the Nobel Prize winner Nadine Gordimer, the Malawian poet Jack Mapanje, and the journalist Richard Dowden.
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STW: Colm Tibn, AS Byatt, Mark Pagel and Will Eaves 12th...
Andrew Marr discusses writers and their families, tribes and cultural ties with the authors, Colm Toibin and Will Eaves; evolutionary biologist Mark Pagel; and novelist A.S Byatt.
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STW: Middle Age: David Bainbridge, Simon Armitage,...
Andrew Marr celebrates middle age with the scientist David Bainbridge; the poet Simon Armitage; the writer Deborah Moggach; and the psychologist Claudia Hammond.
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STW: Faith and Doubt: Richard Holloway, Karen Armstrong,...
Andrew Marr discusses faith and doubt with former Bishop of Edinburgh Richard Holloway; writer and speaker Karen Armstrong; author Jonathan Safran Foer; and playwright Helen Edmundson.
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STW: Science Shaping Civilisation: Ian Stewart, Mark...
Tom Sutcliffe considers how science shapes civilisation with materials scientist Mark Miodownik; mathematician Ian Stewart; Jane Rapley, Head of Central Saint Martin's School of Art and Design; and the sculptor Peter Randall-Page.
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STW: New Elizabethans with Max Hastings, Mary Beard,...
Andrew Marr discusses history, how we view it and who the defining figures of the second Elizabethan Age might be with the historian, John Guy; the classicist, Mary Beard; author and historian, Max Hastings; and independent cross-bench peer Lola Young, Baroness of Hornsey.
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STW: Conservatism with Douglas Murray, Margot James,...
Andrew Marr discusses 'Conservatism' and what it means today, both in the U.K and in America. He is joined by Peter Hitchens, journalist and writer; Douglas Murray, author and Associate Director of the Henry Jackson Society; Thomas Frank, American journalist and political commentator; and Margot James, MP for Stourbridge.
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STW: Revolution with Wael Ghonim, Paul Mason and Mary...
Andrew Marr discusses "revolution" with the Egyptian writer and blogger, Wael Ghonim; Paul Mason, economics journalist and author; and Mary King, Professor of Peace and Conflict Studies at the University for Peace (an affiliate of the UN)and Rothermere American Institute Fellow at the University of Oxford.
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STW: Simon Stephens, John Podmore, Mike Hough and Shami...
Andrew Marr discusses 'justice' with the playwright, Simon Stephens; criminologis, Mike Hough; the former Prison Service governor and author, John Podmore; and the Director of civil rights group, Liberty, Shami Chakrabarti.
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STW: Detlev Schlichter; Philip Coggan; Angela Knight and...
Andrew Marr delves into the world of the economy and considers the financial crisis with Detlev Schlichter; Philip Coggan; Angela Knight and Maurice Glasman.
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STW: Anna Coote, David Kynaston, Antony Gormley and...
Andrew Marr discusses 'austerity' with Anna Coote, David Kynaston, Antony Gormley and Fintan O'Toole.
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STW: David Hockney Special 26 Dec 11
Andrew Marr visits the artist David Hockney at his studio in Bridlington.
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STW: Christmas with Claire Tomlin, Giles Fraser and...
Andrew Marr on the idea of Christmas with Claire Tomalin, Giles Fraser and Susan Hill.
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STW: Sport with Mihir Bose, Julian Savulescu, Brian...
Andrew Marr asks if sport still embodies a notion of fair play. With journalist Mihir Bose, philosopher Julian Savulescu, former rugby player Brian Moore, and author Janie Hampton.
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STW: Benard-Henri Levy, Mary Warnock and Roger Scruton
Andrew Marr discusses the role of the public intellectual with French philosopher, journalist and activist Bernard-Henri Levy,Baroness Mary Warnock and Roger Scruton.
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STW: George Ayittey, Simon Heffer, Martin Wolf and Maha...
Andrew Marr discusses the pursuit of power and the art of leadership, from dictators to technocrats. With Ghanaian economist George Ayittey, Dr. Maha Azzam from Chatham House, columnist Simon Heffer and economist Martin Wolf.
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STW: Rory Bremner, Peter Kosminsky, Iwona Blaswick,...
Andrew Marr asks how the arts tackle politics and current affairs. With Rory Bremner, Peter Kosminsky, Iwona Blaswick and Sarah Gillespie.
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STW: Boris Johnson, Norman Davies, Peter Englund and...
Andrew Marr discusses the writing of history with Boris Johnson, Peter Englund, Norman Davies and Alison Weir.
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STW: Sydney 07 Nov 11
Andrew Marr discusses Australia's cultural heritage with the prize-winning authors Thomas Keneally and Kate Grenville, and the opera singer and composer Deborah Cheetham.
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STW: Perth 31 Oct 11
Andrew Marr is in Perth in Australia for the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting, to discuss mining, money and the monarchy. With Danny Sriskandarajah, Geoff Hutchison, Norman Moore and Andrew Charlton.
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STW: Violence and Poetry with Jarvis Cocker, Jez...
Andrew Marr talks to musician Jarvis Cocker about lyrics and the lyricism of the everyday; to playwright Jez Butterworth about his vision of bucolic myths and modern brutality in the English countryside; to poet Melanie Challenger about the extinction of species and also of ways of life and to Matthew White who catalogues and compares the brutality of humanity throughout the ages.
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STW: God and science with the Chief Rabbi Jonathan...
Andrew Marr discusses the wonders of the universe with Lisa Randall, Richard Dawkins and the Chief Rabbi Jonathan Sacks.
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STW: Empire with Jeremy Paxman, Richard Gott, Marime...
Andrew Marr looks at the lasting impact of the British Empire with Jeremy Paxman, Richard Gott, Marime Jamme and Sun Shuyun.
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STW: Rory Stewart, Gordon Corera, Rosemary Hollis and...
Andrew Marr discusses foreign intervention with the Conservative MP Rory Stewart and the former intelligence officer, Frank Ledwidge. The BBC's security correspondent Gordon Corera discusses the role of the British secret service, from the Cold War days of spies lurking in the shadows, to the disaster of the 'dodgy dossier' on Iraq. And Dr Rosemary Hollis, Professor of Middle East Policy Studies, considers the impact of recent revelations of complicity with Gaddafi's regime, and how 9/11 has...
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STW: Simon Jenkins, Gillian Clarke, Pierre-Laurent...
Andrew Marr discusses the work of the 'Godfather' of new music Pierre Boulez. The French pianist Pierre-Laurent Aimard explains the joy of his compositions, which are in a state of permanent revolution. The writer Peter Conrad pits Verdi against Wagner to ask whether it's possible to love both composers, or does taste, nationality and ideology still get in the way. With a very English temperament Simon Jenkins romps through the history of England in a bid to answer why the nation lost...
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STW: Misha Glenny, Martin Kemp, Jane Pavitt, Tom Uglow...
Andrew Marr talks to the journalist Misha Glenny about the murky world of internet crime, as the cybercops pit their wits against the cyberthieves and hackers. The creative director at Google, Ton Uglow, celebrates the art and ingenuity that comes with he calls, ‘the post-digital age’. It’s more colourful, but no less subversive, at an exhibition of Postmodernism at the V&A. The curator Jane Pavitt argues that for this radical movement, style was everything. And the art historian Martin Kemp...
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STW: Life and Fate with Andrey Kurkov, Anthony Beevor...
Andrew Marr discusses the life and work of the writer Vasily Grossman in a special programme recorded at an event in Oxford to celebrate his greatest novel, Life and Fate. Grossman was a Ukrainian Jew who spent most of WWII reporting on the front line with a humanity and attention to detail that defied the Soviet censors. His masterpiece, Life and Fate, pitted communism against fascism but came down on the side of human kindness. Start the Week looks at the legacy of a writer who is largely...
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STW: A N Wilson, Jonathan Bate, Jo Shapcott, China...
Andrew Marr talks to the science fiction writer China Mieville, whose latest planetary creation explores the links between language and thought, and asks what it means to have no concept of lying. A N Wilson explores a world closer to home, but no less alien, medieval Florence, as he tries to uncover the life and work of Dante. Jonathan Bate's play, Being Shakespeare, also attempts to bring to life the work of the Bard and the real man behind the legend, by placing him in his historical...
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STW: Raymond Tallis, Aubrey de Grey, Barbara Sahakian 27...
Andrew Marr explores the limits of science. Philosopher and neuroscientist Raymond Tallis mounts an assault on those who see neuroscience and evolutionary theory as holding the key to understanding human consciousness. Fellow scientist Barbara Sahakian explores the ethical dilemmas which arise when new drugs developed to treat medical conditions are used to enhance performance in the general population. And gerontologist Aubrey de Grey argues regenerative medicine could one day prevent the...
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STW: Eli Pariser, Tim Harford, Andrew Adonis, Priyamvada...
Andrew Marr talks to Tim Harford about the key to success. The 'undercover economist' argues that the fear of failure paradoxically leads to greater and more dangerous failures - from oil disasters to world conflict. Success in Parliament is often mercurial, but the new Director of the Institute for Government and former Labour Minister Andrew Adonis believes the pool of talent for the top jobs is too small, and that Ministers should be better prepared for their role. Priyamvada Gopal argues...
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STW: John Hegarty, Iain Sinclair, Richard Sennett, Kate...
Andrew Marr talks to Richard Sennett about increasing urbanisation. With half the world's population living in major cities, Sennett asks why the art of designing cities has declined so dramatically in the last century. Iain Sinclair turns a critical eye on the grand plans for London's 2012 Olympics, and asks what will happen when the last race is run. Kate O'Regan was appointed as a judge in the Constitutional Court in South Africa by Nelson Mandela when he became President in 1994. She...
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STW: Jane Shaw, Ross Perlin, Ziauddin Sardar, Jonathan...
Andrew Marr talks to the historian Jane Shaw about the story of Mabel Barltrop: her followers believed she was the daughter of God. Theatre director Jonathan Kent brings the last non-Christian ruler of the Roman Empire to the stage, in the little known Ibsen play, Emperor and Galilean. Ziauddin Sardar gives his take on the Qur'an, drawing contemporary lessons from this Sacred Text on everything from power and politics, to sex and evolution. And Ross Perlin exposes the world of unpaid...
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STW: Paul Theroux, Salil Shetty, Catherine Mayer,...
Andrew Marr wanders the globe with writer Paul Theroux as he celebrates the pleasures and pains of travel. On Amnesty International's 50th anniversary, its General Secretary Salil Shetty looks back at how the organisation has changed. Journalist Catherine Mayer rejects the traditional patterns of aging, arguing that more and more people are living agelessly. And landscape artist Charles Jencks explains how science and the cosmos have influenced his designs.
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STW: Sherard Cowper-Coles, Richard Norton-Taylor, Angie...
Andrew Marr talks to former British ambassador Sherard Cowper-Coles about the failures of Western policy in Afghanistan. In 2003 Baha Mousa was arrested by the British Army in Basra, in Iraq. Two days later he was dead. Richard Norton-Taylor sifts through all the evidence to bring the public inquiry into his death to the stage. David Pryce-Jones asks what motivates those who take up foreign causes, to the detriment of their own country, in Treason of the Heart. And the philosopher Angie...
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STW: Pakistan special - Anatol Lieven, Francis Fukuyama,...
Andrew Marr talks to Anatol Lieven who argues that Pakistan, despite often being referred to as a 'failed state', has the makings of a viable and coherent country. Francis Fukuyama analyses the development of political institutions from early tribal societies to the growth of the modern state. The author of The Reluctant Fundamentalist, Mohsin Hamid, explores what it means to be middle class in Pakistan, and Tahmima Anam looks back to Bangladesh's fight for independence, and the relationship...
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STW: Denis MacShane, Ruth Lea, Kutlug Ataman, Michael...
Andrew Marr talks to the Labour MP Denis MacShane about the 30th anniversary of the election of France's first socialist President, Francois Mitterrand. The People's Pledge wants a referendum on the UK's membership of the EU, and one of its founders Ruth Lea argues that it's time to leave. The Turkish artist Kutlug Ataman explores the artificial nature of man-made boundaries in his latest works. And the so-called 'godfather' of the Young British Artists, Michael Craig-Martin, showcases the...
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STW: Simon Baron-Cohen, Gwen Adshead, Julian Baggini,...
Andrew Marr explores how far empathy, or the lack of it, can explain cruelty. Simon Baron-Cohen proposes turning the focus away from evil and says we should understand human behaviour by studying the 'empathy circuit' in the brain. Gwen Adshead, a forensic psychotherapist at Broadmoor Hospital and the crime writer Val McDermid question whether this would help in their line of work, and the philosopher Julian Baggini tries to pin down what we mean when we talk about the self.
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STW: Greg Doran, Neil Astley, Claire Armitstead, Nicola...
Andrew Marr talks to theatre director Greg Doran about his production of Cardenio - a play he's described as Shakespeare's Lost Play re-imagined. Nicola Shulman explores the influence of Thomas Wyatt's poetry in Henry VIII's court. Neil Astley celebrates contemporary poetry in his anthology 'Being Human'. And as the Guardian launches a new website for readers' book reviews, its books editor Claire Armitstead says there will always be a role for professional critics.
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STW: Sam Harris, Masha Gessen, Rev Lucy Winkett, Adam...
Andrew Marr's guests include neuroscientist and philosopher Sam Harris who argues that science ought to influence human morality rather than religion; the writer Masha Gessen who describes the extraordinary story of the Russian maths genius Grigori Perelman who solved a mathematical problem that had remained inscrutable for a century but refused to take the credit; Adam Rutherford, geneticist and journalist, on decoding the genome and being human, and the Revd Lucy Winkett of St James's...
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STW: Elif Batuman, Martin Sixsmith, David Runciman, Anne...
Tom Sutcliffe talks to the BBC's former Moscow correspondent Martin Sixsmith about a thousand years of Russian history. Writer Elif Batuman follows the footsteps of her Russian literary heroes to see whether their lives and work can influence her own. David Runciman asks 'Can Democracy Cope?' and looks back to Tocqueville and Nietzsche to help make sense of the state of democracy today. Anne Dudley discusses her new opera, The Doctor’s Tale, which tells the story of a devoted doctor, who...
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STW: Archbishop Vincent Nichols, David Eagleman, Lisa...
Andrew Marr talks to the Catholic Archbishop Vincent Nichols about how far his faith's social teachings chime with the Big Society. Writer Michael Collins charts the rise, fall and future of the council estate. Lisa Appignanesi gets to grips with the most untidy of emotions: love. And neuroscientist David Eagleman exposes the workings of the non-conscious brain and what it means for the debate over fair punishment.
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STW: Niall Ferguson, George Magnus, Madawi Al-Rasheed,...
Andrew Marr talks to historian Niall Ferguson about how the West came to triumph over the empires of the East, and whether that ascendancy is in permanent decline. Economist George Magnus questions whether China is really about to dominate the world. Ahead of next year's Diamond Jubilee, commentator Peter Whittle presents a defence of the British monarchy. And as revolution sweeps across the Middle East, Prof Madawi Al-Rasheed looks at the impact on Saudi Arabia.
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STW: John Makepeace, Victoria Pomery, Pamela Yates,...
Andrew Marr talks to Pamela Yates about filming the mass killing of Guatemala's indigenous population during the 1980s, and how her footage has become evidence in a genocide case. Melanie McGrath discusses her latest book, White Heat, set in the vast landscape of the Arctic. The light and sea of Margate inspired Turner, and the Director of the Turner Contemporary gallery, Victoria Pomery, aims to put the Isle of Thanet on the artistic map. And a new show celebrates 50 years of design by...
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STW: Brian Greene, Brian Cox, Angela Saini 14 Mar 11
Andrew Marr, with the physicists Brian Greene and Brian Cox, explores the universe in all its wonder and attempts to understand our relation to parallel universes. And science writer Angela Saini looks at why India is so successful in producing the next generation of scientists in her book, Geek Nation.
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STW: Tim Flannery, Phyllis Lee, Peter Harris, Richard...
Andrew Marr talks to the human rights lawyer Peter Harris who represented the ANC when apartheid in South Africa was at its height. Richard Susskind, the new President of the Society for Computers and Law, sees technology as the answer to today's problems. Australia's leading conservationist, Tim Flannery, puts forward his views on the future of the planet. And scientist Phyllis Lee explains what we've learnt from the longest running study of wild elephants.
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STW: Helena Kennedy, Mark Malloch-Brown, David Gilmour,...
Andrew Marr talks to former UN deputy secretary-general Mark Malloch-Brown, who argues that national governments are no longer equipped to address complex international issues. Conservative MP Daniel Kawczynski gives an insight into the rule of Libyan leader Colonel Gaddafi. Historian David Gilmour looks back 150 years to the unification of Italy and considers whether it has ever really become a coherent nation-state. And the human rights lawyer Baroness Helena Kennedy says we need to be...
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STW: Simon Wessely, John Stubbs, Athene Donald, Simon...
Andrew Marr talks to Simon Wessely about the mental health of soldiers serving in Iraq and Afghanistan, historian John Stubbs revels in the antics of the 17th century Cavaliers, physicist Athene Donald argues that science is as creative as the arts and describes how studying yoghurt could help understand dementia, and Simon Sebag Montefiore explores the epic history of Jerusalem, a chronicle of faith, power and diversity.
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STW: David Attenborough, Sheila Hancock, David Shields,...
Andrew Marr talks to David Attenborough as he goes on the trail of the extinct elephant bird in Madagascar. Actress Sheila Hancock celebrates the work of watercolour artists. Writer David Shields heralds the death of the realist novel, and advocates plagiarising other authors in a form of 'creative sampling'. And poet Andrew Motion meditates on crossing the borders between fact and fiction.
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STW: Jocelyn Bell Burnell, Mike Figgis, Margaret...
Andrew Marr talks to film-maker Mike Figgis about directing Donizetti's most psychologically profound opera, Lucrezia Borgia. Prof Jocelyn Bell Burnell discusses theories about the end of the world in 2012 and what it means for the communication of science. Businesswoman Margaret Heffernan asks why we choose to turn a blind eye to the uncomfortable truth. And historian Edward Higgs champions the on-going importance of the census.
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STW: Neville Brody, Alex Danchev, Susan Hiller, EC...
Andrew Marr talks to graphic designer Neville Brody, whose Anti-Design manifesto criticised the fear and lack of risk inherent in the art world. Objects, overlooked and rejected, lie at the heart of much of artist Susan Hiller's work. Alex Danchev celebrates the best and worst in artists' manifestos. And the Nigerian writer EC Osondu, who now lives in the US, explores the bonds between his adopted country and his homeland.
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STW: John Gray, Dai Smith, Paul McAuley, Kathleen...
Andrew Marr talks to John Gray about our delusional quest for immortality, anthropologist Kathleen Richardson assesses how far robots could take over the earth, science fiction writer Paul McAuley imagines a utopian world in the hostile environs of Jupiter and Saturn, and cultural historian Dai Smith offers up an alternative history of his native South Wales.
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STW: Eric Hobsbawm, Michael Sandel, Nina Raine, Azzam...
Start the Week focuses on justice, fairness and ethical dilemmas. Leading Marxist historian Eric Hobsbawm argues that Marx remains as relevant today as in the last century. The American academic Michael Sandel looks at the philosophy that underpins notions of justice. In her new play, Tiger Country, Nina Raine explores medical ethics and the toll working in a busy hospital takes on staff. And Azzam Alwash, an Iraqi water engineer, is seeking to restore his homeland's marshlands which were...
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STW: Dambisa Moyo, Charles Clarke, Nigel Lawson, Stephen...
Andrew Marr asks what has gone wrong in the West. Economist Dambisa Moyo charts 50 years of "economic folly" and argues that only radical changes in policy will stem permanent decline, while former Chancellor Lord Lawson exposes the "myths" surrounding economic thinking. Journalist Stephen Kinzer calls on the US and UK to make Iran its ally in the Middle East. And Labour's former Home Secretary Charles Clarke explores seemingly intractable "too difficult" political problems in a series of...
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STW: 40th Anniversary Special 27 Dec 10
Andrew Marr celebrates 40 years of Start the Week with former presenters Richard Baker and Melvyn Bragg.
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STW: Anthony Caro, Michael Peppiatt, Sir Mark Jones,...
Andrew Marr talks to sculptor Anthony Caro about modern British sculpture and explores the importance of Alberto Giacometti's ramshackle studio with art critic Michael Peppiatt. As Sir Mark Jones prepares to stand down as head of the Victoria and Albert Museum, he talks about the continuing relevance of a museum that showcases design, while writer Justine Picardie asks how far fashion can be considered art.
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STW: Semyon Bychkov, Mark Miodownik, Susan Hill 13 Dec 10
Andrew Marr talks to the conductor Semyon Bychkov about Wagner's Tannhauser, scientist Mark Miodownik asks 'Does size matter?' in this year's Royal Institution Christmas Lectures, and author Susan Hill ponders kindness, grief and miracles.
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STW: Matthew Bourne, Jennifer Homans, David Aaronovitch,...
Andrew Marr talks to the choreographer Matthew Bourne about his vision for Cinderella, while the dance critic, Jennifer Homans sounds the death knell for ballet in her history of the art form. David Aaronovitch also asks whether Freud has had his heyday, in his examination of the continuing significance of the father of psycho-analysis, while the psychotherapist, Jane Haynes, celebrates the enduring appeal and relevance of Proust.
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STW: Tarek Osman, Francis Spufford, Elif Shafak, Vicky...
Andrew Marr explores Egypt's cosmopolitan past and the challenges it faces today with writer Tarek Osman, Francis Spufford imagines life in the Soviet Union under Krushchev and what could have happened if the dream of plenty had come true, Turkey's best-selling female novelist Elif Shafak argues against the pigeon-holing of multi-cultural writers, and astrophysicist Vicky Kaspi explains how neutron stars and pulsars can give us new insights into the universe.
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STW: PJ O'Rourke, Armando Iannucci, Mary Beard, Simon...
Andrew Marr takes a satirical look at the world. Writer PJ O'Rourke makes a plea to the American public not to vote in his latest critique of liberal politics, while comedian Armando Iannucci explores the latest chapter in the life of his Machiavellian spin doctor, Malcolm Tucker. Mikhail Bulgakov's absurdist tale of how a mongrel becomes human is brought to the stage by Simon McBurney. And the classicist Mary Beard delves beneath the volcanic ash to uncover everyday life in Pompeii.
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STW: William Boyd, Craig Raine, Gwen Adshead, Iain...
Andrew Marr talks to forensic psychotherapist Dr Gwen Adshead about the medicalisation of evil. William Boyd discusses his literary everyman, Logan Mounstuart, as his novel Any Human Heart is adapted for TV. Poet Craig Raine compares writing poetry to the art of dress-making. Psychiatrist Iain McGilchrist argues that the problem with modern society can be found in the left side of our brain.
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STW: Ed Vulliamy, Patrick Wilcken, Gillian Tett and Lars...
Andrew Marr talks to Swedish poet Lars Gustafsson about whether writers have a responsibility to challenge the establishment. Gillian Tett, the Financial Times journalist who predicted the financial crash, explains the growing attraction of gold. Writer Patrick Wilcken describes the intellectual Claude Levi-Strauss, as 'the poet in the laboratory' in a new biography. And Ed Vulliamy reports on the lives of those caught up in the war of drugs and gangs on the US-Mexican border.
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STW: Fintan O'Toole, Deborah Cadbury, Nick Boles, Steven...
Andrew Marr looks at what the future holds for Ireland after the financial crisis, with the cultural commentator, Fintan O'Toole, who argues for wholesale reform of the political system. While the Conservative MP, Nick Boles puts forward his blueprint for a new Britain. The fate of Deborah Cadbury's family firm was sealed when it was bought out by an American company. But she looks back at a chocolate dynasty that mixed sweet success with bitter rivalry. And the cellist Steven Isserlis is on...
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STW: Alasdair Gray, David Starkey, Josie Rourke, Alan...
Andrew Marr talks to the Scottish writer and artist Alasdair Gray about his life through the story of his paintings, director Josie Rourke on the tough reality of 1930s Glasgow, portrayed in the play Men Should Weep, David Starkey explores 2000 years of the British monarchy and its future direction, and Alan Berman celebrates the radical buildings of controversial architect James Stirling.
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STW: Mary Warnock, Raymond Tallis, John Gummer, Stanley...
In a special programme, Start the Week discusses morality, religion and politics. The philosopher Mary Warnock, in her latest book, Dishonest To God, argues that religion has no place in politics, and that it's a mistake to believe that religion has a monopoly on morality. To debate these issues Andrew Marr is joined by Stanley Hauerwas, named 'America's Best Theologian' by Time magazine, the philosopher, humanist and former Professor of Geriatric Medicine Raymond Tallis, and the former...
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STW: Sebastian Faulks, Bernhard Schlink, Margaret...
In a special programme recorded at the Cheltenham Literature Festival Andrew Marr talks to Bernhard Schlink, author of 'The Reader', about his latest novel to be translated, which pits youthful idealism against the reality of terrorism. Margaret MacMillan explores the uses and abuses of history, while Peter Snow tries to unpick the man from the legend in his biography of Wellington. Sebastian Faulks explores the history of the novel, and discusses the challenges in both historical and...
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STW: Jonathan Franzen, Robert Douglas Fairhurst, Barry...
Andrew Marr talks to Jonathan Franzen, hailed as a 'Great American Novelist' for his latest book, Freedom. The playwright Shelagh Stephenson explores family tensions in her new play, about what happens when a missing child returns home. Philosophy is under attack as advances in neuroscience question many of its assumptions, and yet Barry Smith argues that the science of the mind needs philosophers now more than ever. And Robert Douglas-Fairhurst celebrates the great Victorian journalist...
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STW: Will Hutton, Lars Kroijer, Billy Ivory, Ronit Avni....
Andrew Marr talks to Will Hutton about the need to transform a country blighted by inequality; Lars Kroijer comes clean about the life and decisions of a hedge fund manager; Billy Ivory discusses his screenplay for Made In Dagenham, which charts the walkout of the women workers at the Ford car plant and Ronit Avni discusses her new documentary, Budrus, which shows how one community organiser united both Palestinian and Israeli supporters to save his village.
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STW: Roy Hattersley, Mary Midgley, Andy McSmith, Richard...
In the first programme of a new series of Start the Week the former MP Lord Hattersley charts the life and politics of David Lloyd George, the writer Andy McSmith argues that the 1980s was a decade of conflict, the philosopher Mary Midgley criticises the individualism of our time and Richard Bean discusses his new play which deals with American funding of the IRA.
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- English
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