BBC radio 4 program

[Shelley]

I have just found out about this radio program. It is called Chinese Characters and it tells the history of China through various "characters" i.e. famous people who have contributed to the making of China. It is in English.

 

I think there have been 2 programs already and there are 20 altogether. They can be downloaded from here https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b09zgd6y/episodes/guide

 

I know it might be difficult or impossible for some people to get this. Sorry I hope some may find this enjoyable and interesting.

 

I intend on listening to the ones I have missed later from my tablet in bed, I may have some very strange dreams

[Zeppa]

Thanks, Shelley. I see they have Sima Qian next week. I only recently read about his castration and decided I need to know more.

[Shelley]

It will be interesting to listen to these programs, sometimes just listening can be relaxing.

[DavyJonesLocker]

Thanks Shelly, 

one, for the specific program and 

two, for reminding me about radio 4! A long forgetten source amongst many people, of classic radio broadcasting. Well thoughtout programs but sadly only of interest to an ever declining audience. 

 

[Jim]

Can listen to them here in Shunyi without a VPN! Delighted to find one's about Kumarajiva, a translator hero of mine.

[roddy]

Anyone who's enjoying that might like a look at the In Our Time podcasts - these are in-depth panel discussions, with a host who acts as a non-specialist asking questions of experts. These two on China I found just by looking under 'C' in their index but I'll bet there are other relevant ones if you look for them. 

 

China's Warring States period

Chinese Legalism

 

And happened to see this more recent one

The Art of War

and also 

Romance of the Three Kingdoms

 

Used to listen to In Our Time on my shortwave radio in 1998 - it's been going for ages, and I think everything they've ever done is available. The podcasts sometimes also include extra discussion that doesn't get broadcast as they run out of time. I have a sneaking suspicion all the academics just end up going to the pub afterwards and arguing until chucking-out time.

[somethingfunny]

You beat me to it Roddy.  I've listened to In Our Time episodes on Confucius, Laozi and other similar topics.  They were all pretty good introductions, and they generally have leading academics on the panel.  Obviously, Rana Mitter is a leading academic, but In Our Time will go to the academic who specializes in that particular topic.

[amytheorangutan]

In Our Time is one of my favourites. I actually emailed them a while ago requesting a few topics on Chinese Literature and they said they are planning to do more. I really enjoyed Frances Wood's talk recently on Chinese Labour Corps which was really interesting and she appeared a few times on In Our Time.

 

The Silk Road

The Needham Question

Confucius

[Jim]

Always enjoy a format where there's a bit of debate rather than a lecture seeming to lay down the law on a topic, much healthier way of approaching history.

[Shelley]

Yes, the In Our Time programs were/are very good.

Didn't manage to listen last night as for some reason the wifi was rubbish in the bedroom, happens sometimes, usually its fine. I gave up trying, will try again later today.

 

Radio 4 is a wonderful resource and entertaining, they have some very good plays and stories about general life and of course let us not forget the fantastic series Hitch-hikers guide to the Galaxy and the sequel Hexagon Phase.

[AaronUK]

These podcasts are interesting I listened to the first episode about 武则天 wu xetian. I think maybe one reason I never got into Chinese period dramas is that I have previously been quite uneducated about chinese history. So this is quite a useful entry point for me.

[LuDaibola]

Glad to know of these...thank you.

 

Also, The Atlantic Magazine (theatlantic.com) is currently featuring a truly magical photo spread entitled China Viewed From Above: stunning aerial images of different landscapes from all over China.  The first photo of the cliff walkway at Zhangjiajie in Hunan Province sent chills down my spine.  I wonder if any of you have been there?  It brings the film Avatar to mind.  The last photo is also from this area and, now, were I to visit China I'd put this near the top of my list.

[somethingfunny]

Link for those who want to see how many of the places they have been to...

[Shelley]

@LuDaibola I suggest you start a new topic with this wonderful link. I worry that it won't be found by people here because this is about a radio show and it would be a shame for people to miss out on it buried away in a topic not about amazing pictures of China.

[LuDaibola]

Shelley--Not ignoring your suggestion...just can't figure out how to do this.  I tried copying and pasting but wanted to include the link that somethingfunnysome provided and that didn't work for me. I may have time to figure this out later but wanted to say that if anyone more proficient knows how to do this, have at it.  For reasons not worth mentioning, I'm just starting to learn how to use social media...so will be fumbling around for awhile.  Anyway, thanks for the helpful feedback.

[roddy]

This week's In Our Time (literally on just now, I had the radio on while I was considering starting some work) is on the Long March.