Uploaded October 2018 | Updated September 2026, 3 weeks ago
In 2022, the redoubtable British Broadcasting Corporation will be a hundred years old. In the meantime, through these two remarkable books, written twenty years apart by BBC insiders, the earlier history of that venerable institution comes to life from different vantage points.
Auntie's War is a fascinating account of the BBC's deep involvement in the Second World War, in which it not only served as a singularly trusted mouthpiece to a nation at war, but as an indispensable medium for conveying coded messages, military instructions and subtle propaganda. With inside access to The Beeb's rich archives, Edward Stourton has written not only a highly readable, but revealing work (e.g. Edward R. Murrow vs. Alastair Cooke, pp. 203-6).
Humphrey Carpenter, meanwhile, has written an equally engaging tome from an entirely different angle. Asked by the BBC to write the story of Radio 3, formerly known as The Third Programme, to mark the occasion of its 50th anniversary, the result is a rich account of an inspired invention that not only complemented the BBC Home Service (now BBC 1) and the Light Programme (BBC 2) from a standing start at the end of World War II, but surprised all involved with the rapidity of its success.
The BBC Third Programme filled a yawning cultural gap in classical music, opera, drama, documentaries and discussion, catapulting the likes of Dylan Thomas, Tom Stoppard, Sir Adrian Boult and the irrepressible John Betjeman across the national consciousness as little else could at the time. Aptly titled, The Envy of the World is not, however, directed merely at aficionados. As a potted history of a burgeoning era in British radio, it is thoroughly engaging and distinctly unusual.
Both books are warmly recommended to fans of British radio.
More war related books at
bookreviewsandvideos.com/category/war
In 2022, the redoubtable British Broadcasting Corporation will be a hundred years old. In the meantime, through these two remarkable books, written twenty years apart by BBC insiders, the earlier history of that venerable institution comes to life from different vantage points.
Auntie's War is a fascinating account of the BBC's deep involvement in the Second World War, in which it not only served as a singularly trusted mouthpiece to a nation at war, but as an indispensable medium for conveying coded messages, military instructions and subtle propaganda. With inside access to The Beeb's rich archives, Edward Stourton has written not only a highly readable, but revealing work (e.g. Edward R. Murrow vs. Alastair Cooke, pp. 203-6).
Humphrey Carpenter, meanwhile, has written an equally engaging tome from an entirely different angle. Asked by the BBC to write the story of Radio 3, formerly known as The Third Programme, to mark the occasion of its 50th anniversary, the result is a rich account of an inspired invention that not only complemented the BBC Home Service (now BBC 1) and the Light Programme (BBC 2) from a standing start at the end of World War II, but surprised all involved with the rapidity of its success.
The BBC Third Programme filled a yawning cultural gap in classical music, opera, drama, documentaries and discussion, catapulting the likes of Dylan Thomas, Tom Stoppard, Sir Adrian Boult and the irrepressible John Betjeman across the national consciousness as little else could at the time. Aptly titled, The Envy of the World is not, however, directed merely at aficionados. As a potted history of a burgeoning era in British radio, it is thoroughly engaging and distinctly unusual.
Both books are warmly recommended to fans of British radio.
More war related books at
bookreviewsandvideos.com/category/war
![Lady Muck by William Mayne, with [inspired] woodcuts by Jonathan Heale, reviewed by Nicholas Hoare](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/EwgbMuHt3zQ/mqdefault.jpg "Lady Muck by William Mayne, with [inspired] woodcuts by Jonathan Heale, reviewed by Nicholas Hoare
A pig named Boark lived in the mud, and one day to his wife, he said, Sowk, my Sowk, what can I do to please and happy you, my Sowky dear?
Oink, said she, go snuffly and diggy fat sweet rooties. That will happy me, Boark, my Boarky dear, from grunt to squeal.
This is, unashamedly, a childrens book for adults. In deliciously Lennon-like prose, one is not merely introduced, but transported to our heroes: two immensely portly pigs, whose devotion to each other is unquestioned, but whose predilection for truffles leads them into trouble plenty.
William Mayne is a master storyteller, who remains curiously forgotten. This book, which was first published in 1997, remains a minor (and most decorative) classic. Go forth with our blessing and procure this splendid piece of nonsense soonest. It will pleasure you, as the author might say, to such an extent that, if you have any sense of performance at all - and relish rhythm and rhyme - even your youngest will respond in kind.
https://thisoldhoarehouse.com")
