Professor David Cannadine

[Pong Ping]

Anyone listening to these talks? Woweee they are soooo interesting!!!! I thought Mr. Evans had taken over this spot permanently, but I’m glad he hasn’t. My fav. so far was his talk about bridges…….and the sting in the tail when he finished off telling listeners how he suffers from Vertigo. I loved the description he gave of crossing a bridge with his wife in the car and the stress that he feels. Did anyone else listen to this? How lovely – and generous - to hear a historian speaking with enthusiasm about civil engineering issues.

What a delight, also, to hear someone who originated in Birmingham, attended both Oxbridge and Cambridge, yet hasn’t sold out and is proud of their Birmingham accent.

[rosalie]

Which programme is this? I don't recall hearing it at all.

[Pong Ping]

rosalie said:

Which programme is this? I don't recall hearing it at all.

Rosalie, it’s in the old Letter From America (Friday 2045 hours & rpt. Sunday 0845hrs) slot which is now entitled: A Point Of View. He was talking about Flashman on Friday night (1) and this reference details the whole transcript. I refuse to use Listen Again, unless it’s absolutely necessary, but it is available.

Checked through my back editions of RT and Sir Harold was only signed up for 13 editions as is Prof. Cannadine.

Sincerely,

Pong


Reference

(1)

Flashman

[Crusoe]

Thanks for the link to the transcript: very interesting, especially since I’ve missed the last couple of these.

[I dont know who I am]

A Point of View - Historian David Cannadine comments on topical events.

I had heard the Flashman programme and now see that this is the heading under which he constructs his programme. The Flashman was interesting enough, but I feel it is far too safe a topic, well-documented, buried in history, with the annoying aspect that this programme should lend him personally some 'shine' because of his tangental involvment.

I feel if someone of stature is given the opportunity to pen in fact a 'leader' on air, he has to live a bit more dangerously and I suspect an editor like Evans, or similar, would have taken the bit with gusto and run with it. There are such programmes on other stations and they are most interesting since the authors usually are not of the broadcasting establishment (which should be the whole point) and have the ability to comment without fear or favours. There are such people.

Much as I used to enjoy Mr. Cooke's missives, I really wonder if the intention of this programme is to delve in Alistaire's old dressing-up box. It was so safe and homey.

[Float On Float On]

His voice reminds me of Jack Woolley and I keep expecting to hear him talking about life growing up in Sturchley or the influence that ‘Captain’ had on his life. I found his talk about drinking very interesting.

[I dont know who I am]

A Point of View - Historian David Cannadine comments on topical events.

Certainly he is an excellent speaker. His Obituary Major, David Dimbleby - A Perspective, with the benefit of 40 years of hindsight was well presented, as you would expect from a historian, gave me no sense of being a topical event. If the parting shot regarding Caroline Thatcher was meant to make it highly relevant today, it was a another lame and wasted effort to put current issues in context, at least. We know about yesterday.

Prettily done, though. Should he get a price as the historian of life in living memory? He did not voice one opinion - I thought that is what is meant by commentary on topical events. Good material for the Diplomatic Service?

As I said, lame.

[Lawrence Jones]

I said:

A Point of View - Historian David Cannadine comments on topical events.

Certainly he is an excellent speaker. His Obituary Major, David Dimbleby - A Perspective, with the benefit of 40 years of hindsight was well presented, as you would expect from a historian, gave me no sense of being a topical event. If the parting shot regarding Caroline Thatcher was meant to make it highly relevant today, it was a another lame and wasted effort to put current issues in context, at least. We know about yesterday.

Prettily done, though. Should he get a price as the historian of life in living memory? He did not voice one opinion - I thought that is what is meant by commentary on topical events. Good material for the Diplomatic Service?

As I said, lame.

Such a pleasure to read your posting Ms/Mr/Dr./Prof. Guest and I couldn’t agree more. The discourse didn’t really take the listener’s imagination on much of journey did it? I must admit, though, that I did admire the Christmas wrapping paper containing the programme (as you hint at in your posting)! You’re quite right with the comment apropos the parting reference to Carol Thatcher. I listen to R4 in the hope that I can get away from this sort of thing – totally out of place for a programme that’s supposed to precipitate thought.

Hee-hee, the broadcast seems rather ironic now when one thinks of Mr. Dimbleby Jnr’s problems with the Any Answers telephone number an hour or so earlier!

Thanks again for a fine posting.

P.S. Still trying to make my mind up about the play and I noted that Bonnie Greer wrote it. I usually love the US based Friday night plays and I thought Bodies In Motion And At Rest was simply wonderful. Hope you heard it when it was repeated recently.

[I dont know who I am]

P.S. Still trying to make my mind up about the play and I noted that Bonnie Greer wrote it. I usually love the US based Friday night plays and I thought Bodies In Motion And At Rest was simply wonderful. Hope you heard it when it was repeated recently.

Exquisitgely sensitive, insightful, charming, plangent - most engaging and beautifully acted.