In this early Author Archive podcast John Le Carre talks about writing politics , and Mallory Blackman explains the political thinking behind Noughts and Crosses.

Maggie Gee gives the background to her novel The White Family that endeavours to explain prejudice and the national treasure Jilly Cooper gives background to how life might be in the English counties. Her 'Rivals' is back on UK TV.

The episode concludes with two views of the Court of King Henry VIII, Philippa Gregory discusses her book about 'The Other Boleyn Girl' and Alison Weir explains how the king was totally surrounded by the people of the court all the time!

Who could have predicted that the American Vice President would have thought it part of his task to question the Pope's understanding of theology?

Who could have predicted that Donald Trump would think it a good idea to read parts of the Bible to the nation?

Have they redefined their god in their own image?

It seems that the current American administration is behaving in even more wild emotionally driven vindictive ways.

This gripping and shocking book tells the story of the radical conservative movement shaping Donald Trump's agenda and how it threatens freedoms, values and democracy.

Since this conversation was recorded the situation has got much worse.

The American president now suggests that he is closely associated with Jesus. He has distributed pictures. He is performing Bible readings. Will he include the bits from Matthew 5:9? Blessed are the peacemakers?

He declares that he has been saved by God to make his country great again, I find it impossible not to wonder about the precise nature of the deity that he professes to believe in. Are Donald and his advisers familiar with the writings that are the basis of his religion?

This book by Catherine Nixey is terrific - its a revelation and it's now available in paperback format.

Catherine has studied texts written around the same time as the writings we know as the gospels.

Some of these ancient documents tell the story of the bible characters we are familiar with in a totally different way.

Listen to Catherine talk about her research and you will be surprised ..... probably very surprised!!

Every time I see a politician leaning in a faith direction I want to urge them to read this book!

The war that is spreading across the Middle East has a religious dimension.

American aggression is supported by evangelical Christians, Iran is an Islamic state and Israel has its own Jewish deity.

Donald Trump seems to waver been god and allah.

None of the gods seem to be seekers for peace. All seek vengeance and revenge.

In early 2025 a million Hindus tried to bathe in a river at the same time. Why would anyone think this would be a good idea.

Robin Dunbar is Professor of Evolutionary Psychology at the University of Oxford. From his academic standpoint he charts the evolution of religion in all its many guises and forms.

Does the professor's analysis explain the enduring but shrinking appeal of non logical beliefs?

THis book is number 10 in the Sunday Times General Hardbacks chart

In our conversation Prue talks to me about her life and how she still has a lot of fun.

Ageing, acting your age, health, exercise, fame ...... she talks about it all!!!

The new war that is happening now and the the appalling inhumanity still happening in the world makes this conversation distressingly relevant. There is the thought that some people are less human then others.

Some people in power seem to think that bombs and missiles provide an answer.

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights was adopted on December 10th 1948.

We now live in a world where the rights agreed in that document are widely ignored.

Racial intolerance is on the march . The horrible spectre of antisemitism is looming over the news as is denial of the rights of Palestinians.

As an American bishop recently said ..... immigrants and gay people are as valuable as everyone else.

A good time to listen to the words of the late Sir Martin Gilbert.

The name Winston Churchill has been used recently to score political points.

Sir Martin Gilbert is known as Churchill's biographer, but also as the historian of the Holocaust.

This conversation with David Freeman took place when his book Never Again was published. Sir Martin's thoughts on war are sadly relevant.

Sir Martin died in 2015.

The man who used to be Prince Andrew is now back at his new Norfolk home with dogs for company.

Apparently he will soon have a chef and a valet who will address him as 'Sir'. Unbelievable.

The sorry story continues.

Andrew and his ex wife Sarah are in the Epstein linked news again.

The photographs of him on his knees by a young lady lying on her back on the floor don't look good.

A new paperback edition of Entitled is published soon.

Andrew Lownie will be talking about it here on the Author Archive.

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In the wake of the Andrew Windsor scandal there is much questioning of the need for the royals at all

Being royal is not a job you can apply for. If you decide to walk away from your royal identity or are pushed away from it just what are you left with?

This book,'Traitor King', tells the story of an inglorious royal. It is a shocking example of what happens when inherited status is randomly given to a person who is clearly not up to the task. The book is the basis of the Channel 4 programme that shed light on the whole episode.

As well as telling the historical story Andrew Lownie discusses the lessons that can be learned by the present Royal Family.

This book was published long before 'Entitled'.