I was a bit narked that Radio 4’s Book of the Week was bumped to make way for the BBC’s central programme in its History of the World in 100 Objects bonanza. Authors are struggling enough as it is, without whipping out a valuable promotional rug from under our feet.
But after the first six shows it seems to be an irritation amply rewarded. The show is thoughtful, surprising and intellectually engaged. Neil MacGregor, director of the British Museum is a fine host (although the Scots have now almost entirely taken over the morning airwaves: on a Monday one can go from James Naughtie on the Today programme, to Andrew Marr on Start the Week, and on to MacGregor: a festival of Scotchness from 6am to 10am.) And the guest ‘experts’ are entertaining choices. Forget dusty old suits from the universities: in the last three episodes, all concerning prehistoric man, I’ve heard the archbishop of Canterbury, Madhur Jaffrey and Bob Geldof.
Niggles: the music is appalling (pan pipes? I believe the expression is WTF). The plugs on Radio 4 and elsewhere are enraging, and take BBC internal advertising to a new level of self-indulgence. And the website is a Flash nightmare.
Well worth listening, either live or archived here.
Amazingg skills! Keep it up man, you rock!