Churchill, First Duke of Marlborough
Monday 19 May 2008 21:45-22:30 (Radio 3)
Military historian Richard Holmes talks to Paul Allen about his book Marlborough: England's Fragile Genius, which tells the story of John Churchill, First Duke of Marlborough. From humble beginnings he rose to become Britain's finest soldier and a confidant of two monarchs - James II and Queen Anne.
Playlist
Richard Holmes
Military historian Richard Holmes joins us live to talk about his new biography, Marlborough, making the case for John Churchill as Britain's greatest ever soldier.
A man who was at the centre of the European stage and a star of its iconic battles like Blenheim, he was also the consummate politician and an intimate of Queen Anne, whose descendents include Winston Churchill and Earl Spencer.
Marlborough: England's Fragile Genius by Richard Holmes is published by HarperPress.
Neil LaBute
Playwright Neil LaBute talks to Paul Allen about his new play Fat Pig which opens in London this week.
Part of a trilogy of 'Beauty Plays' it explores the love-lives of hip American professionals and asks uncomfortable questions about whether the leading man can stand up for a love he believes in, even if his heroine is 'Plus Size'.
Fat Pig is showing at Trafalgar Studios until 6 September 2008.
Science in Africa
We take a look at the search for the new African Einstein, speaking to a Science Minister in Rwanda about new institutes launched this week to that end.
http://www.nexteinstein.org/
Jimmy Stewart
And David Thomson pays tribute to the screen legend Jimmy Stewart on what would have been his one hundredth birthday.
