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State of the Union

Episode 4

Irish writer Fintan O'Toole contemplates the idea of Europe in Autumn 2011.

• 15 mins

State of the Union

Episode 5

Greek novelist Ersi Sotiropoulos contemplates the idea of Europe in Autumn 2011.

• 15 mins

Letters from Italy

Prof Gustavo Piga

Prof Gustavo Piga, economist at Rome University, delivers a letter about Italy today.

• 15 mins

Letters from Italy

Lucia Annunziata

Lucia Annunziata, editor of Huffington Post, Italy, delivers a letter about Italy today.

• 15 mins

Letters from Italy

Carlo Sibilia

Carlo Sibilia, member of the Five Star Movement, delivers a letter about Italy today.

• 15 mins

Letters from Italy

Dacia Maraini

Novelist and playwright Dacia Maraini delivers a letter about Italy today.

• 15 mins

Letters from Italy

Annalisa Piras

Annalisa Piras, an Italian journalist based in London, delivers a letter about Italy today

• 15 mins

Month of Madness

Sarajevo

Christopher Clark on the impact of the assassination of Archduke Ferdinand in Sarajevo.

• 15 mins

Month of Madness

Vienna

Christopher Clark explores how Vienna reacted to the assassination of Archduke Ferdinand.

• 15 mins

Month of Madness

Berlin

Christopher Clark on Germany's blank cheque to Austria-Hungary for war against Serbia.

• 15 mins

Month of Madness

The French in St. Petersburg

Christopher Clark on the impact of the extension of the Franco-Russian alliance in 1914.

• 15 mins

Month of Madness

London

Christopher Clark explores how British decision-makers reacted in the July Crisis of 1914.

• 15 mins

A Broken Hallelujah: Leonard Cohen's Secret Chord

Episode 1

An early loss for the passionate poet-turned-musician.

• 15 mins

A Broken Hallelujah: Leonard Cohen's Secret Chord

Episode 2

Despite success as a poet, Cohen feels the need to escape to the Greek island of Hydra.

• 15 mins

A Broken Hallelujah: Leonard Cohen's Secret Chord

Episode 3

In the Chelsea Hotel in New York, Cohen turns his talents to songwriting.

• 15 mins

A Broken Hallelujah: Leonard Cohen's Secret Chord

Episode 4

Disaster threatens Cohen's first European tour, but in Buddhism he finds spiritual solace.

• 15 mins

A Broken Hallelujah: Leonard Cohen's Secret Chord

Episode 5

Now hugely successful, Cohen retreats to Mount Baldy to spend time with his guru.

• 15 mins

Letters from South Africa

Strangers

Writer Bongani Kona begins five letters from South Africa in the week of the ANC elections

• 14 mins

Letters from South Africa

Episode 2

Writer Mark Gevisser's letter from South Africa broadcast in the week of the ANC elections

• 14 mins

Letters from South Africa

Shosholoza: The Train that Keeps Moving

Writer Panashe Chigumadzi's letter from South Africa in the week of the ANC elections.

• 14 mins

Letters from South Africa

This Is What a Country Looks Like When it Is Collapsing

Author Lidudumalingani Mqombothi on life in South Africa during the week of ANC elections.

• 14 mins

Letters from South Africa

Johannesburg

Five letters from South African writers about life there in the week of the ANC elections.

• 14 mins

Empress Dowager Cixi: The Concubine Who Launched Modern China

Episode 1

Jung Chang's biography of the woman who single-handedly dragged China into modernity.

• 15 mins

Empress Dowager Cixi: The Concubine Who Launched Modern China

Episode 2

Cixi forms an important political alliance and launches a palace coup.

• 15 mins

Empress Dowager Cixi: The Concubine Who Launched Modern China

Episode 3

Cixi adopts the three-year-old son of her sister and names him Emperor.

• 15 mins

Empress Dowager Cixi: The Concubine Who Launched Modern China

Episode 4

A young ambitious reformist looks to topple Cixi from power, and a battle of wits ensues.

• 15 mins

Empress Dowager Cixi: The Concubine Who Launched Modern China

Episode 5

Cixi faces her greatest challenge as ruler, when anti-Western feeling leads to violence.

• 15 mins