Great Lives: As heard on Radio 4

Description

Some of the world's most influential and fascinating characters, as nominated by the Great Lives guests Based on the popular Radio 4 series, Great Lives highlights some of the world's most fascinating and influential characters. Chosen by the show's guests, each biography reveals the life and times of artists, sportsmen, statesmen, authors, monarchs, actors, musicians and scientists, showing why they inspire, what they achieved and how they have influenced the world at large. Discover the intriguing lives of Clement Attlee and Henri Matisse, King Alfred and Samuel Johnson, Tommy Cooper and Robert Kennedy, Robin Day and Edith Wharton, along with many more. From the famous to the obscure, the historical to the contemporary, each biography provides an insight into the character's personality, why they were driven to achieve so much, and separates fact from fiction. With a foreword by the show's presenter, Matthew Parris, Great Lives is an ideal gift for history and biography enthusiasts, and for fans of the Radio 4 series.

Karen Farrington is a writer and former journalist whose published work includes titles on social and military history, together with a range of non-fiction TV companion books. Her most recent work includes the bestselling series of books from The Repair Shop. She also worked as lead researcher for The Life and Times of Call The Midwife, the companion to series one and two of the BBC series. She lives in Devon.