The Reith Lectures: 10 of the Best

Ten emblematic lectures by world-leading thinkers, specially selected by the series producer.Since 1948, the BBC's iconic annual lecture series has provided a platform for brilliant, entertaining individuals to discuss and develop their ideas on radio. The topics range from art and science to history, culture, politics and more, and each Reith Lecture - which is a little longer than a TED talk - is followed by a lively question-and-answer session showcasing the speaker's expertise, wisdom and wit.This collection brings together ten of the very best Reith Lectures, chosen by the series producer, Jim Frank. Prize-winning artist Grayson Perry argues that art can no longer shock us - we've seen it all before; bestselling novelist Hilary Mantel explores how art can bring the dead back to life; Eliza Manningham-Buller, the former MI5 director, tells us what it was like to head up the security services in the aftermath of 9/11; Tom Kirkwood asks whether ageing and death are the price we pay for sex; and Margaret MacMillan discusses the relationship between war and humanity, and the role of the soldier.In addition, Atul Gawande considers the future of medicine; Michael Sandel examines the expansion of markets; Kwame Anthony Appiah appeals for a world free of racial fixations; Vilayanur S. Ramachandran looks at the process we call 'seeing'; and Daniel Barenboim celebrates the power of music to bring us together. Illuminating, captivating and thought-provoking, these superlative radio lectures are full of insight and inspiration.Production creditsPresented, chaired and introduced by Sue LawleyProduced and curated by Jim FrankEdited by Hugh LevinsonFirst broadcast on BBC Radio 4 on the following dates:Tom Kirkwood: Sex and Death 18 April 2001Vilayanur S. Ramachandran: Synapses and the Self 9 April 2003Daniel Barenboim: In the Beginning was Sound 7 April 2006Michael Sandel: Markets and Morals 9 June 2009Eliza Manningham-Buller: Terror 6 September 2011Grayson Perry: Nice Rebellion - Welcome In! 29 October 2013Atul Gawande: The Century of the System 2 December 2014Kwame Anthony Appiah: Colour 1 November 2016Hilary Mantel: The Day is for the Living 13 June 2017Margaret MacMillan: Fearing and Loving - Making Sense of the Warrior 3 July 2018