Audiobooks narrated by Brian Cox

Writing the Universe: A BBC Radio 4 Science Series

Robin Ince explores how authors, artists and astronomers have told the story of the cosmos From Shakespeare and Milton to Alan Moore and Douglas Adams, writers have striven to convey the enormity and wonder of our universe. In this enlightening three-part series, Robin Ince, aided by special guests including his fellow Infinite Monkey Cage presenter Brian Cox, appraises the great communicators past and present, who have captured our imagination and advanced our knowledge. Beginning with the birth of the universe, he reveals that Fred Hoyle’s famous phrase ‘the big bang’ was actually a derogatory expression, coined to satirise a theory he didn’t believe in. Now, it is part of our everyday language – but how helpful is it in explaining how the cosmos came about? Physicist Carlo Rovelli uses metaphor to clarify this mind-bending concept, while for cosmologist Carlos Frenk, the time before time existed is best illustrated by Dalí’s melting clocks. Investigating the mysteries of black holes, Robin looks at how they have inspired science fiction authors and filmmakers. First conceived of by Einstein in 1915, these vast tears in the fabric of spacetime exist at the centre of every galaxy: and thanks to Nobel Prize-winning author Kip Thorne (who consulted on the movie Interstellar), we have an idea of what they might actually look like. But what of the ultimate destiny of the universe? Will it end in a ‘big crunch’, a ‘big rip’, heat death or vacuum decay? And as they speculate around the fate of the cosmos, how careful do scientists and writers have to be to avoid arousing anxiety and bringing on ‘cosmological vertigo’? Contemplating the final chapter of the universe’s story, Robin wonders whether their predictions will be accurate – or whether there will be a twist in the tale... Production credits Presented by Robin Ince Produced by Marijke Peters and Adrian Washbourne Executive Producer: Alexandra Feachem Soundscape Designer: Jane Watkins With contributions from: Brian Cox, Sean Carroll, Katie Mack, Carlos Frenk, Carlo Rovelli, Janna Levin, Paul Murdin, Kip Thorne, Paul Franklyn, Fay Dowker, Paul Sutter, Louisa Buck, John Lloyd, Adam Riess and Mike Turner First broadcast on BBC Radio 4, 10-24 June 2024 © 2024 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd. (P) 2024 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd

Robin Ince (Author), Brian Cox, Robin Ince, Various (Narrator)

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Sandi Toksvig’s Hygge: The BBC Radio 4 Comedy Chat Show

Sandi Toksvig and her celebrity guests explore the Danish concept of 'hygge' One of the few Danish words that British people have become familiar with, 'hygge' is a specifically Scandinavian notion of snugness, comfort and contentment. It's all about enjoying the simple pleasures, like curling up with a book on a rainy afternoon or cradling a cup of hot cocoa while wearing a chunky sweater. In this convivial chat show, Danish comedian and author Sandi Toksvig takes a deep dive into both the concept and the Danish way of life. Broadcasting from her toasty log cabin deep in the heart of rural Denmark (complete with sauna, underground wine-cellar and three-tier bird bath that dispenses miniature hot towels), she invites her special guests to join her in front of an open fire and talk about what 'hygge' means to them. Grayson Perry explains how learning new things can bring deep joy; Bridget Christie describes her love of running; Clive Myrie relates his passion for opera and poetry, and Brian Cox tells us how he finds comfort in physics, piano playing and Sibelius' Fifth Symphony. Sandi also chats about Australian Christmasses with Krishnan Guru-Murthy, discusses hopeless DIY with Andy Hamilton, muses on the soothing magic of fragrance with Lyse Doucet and hears from David Blunkett about mishaps in Braille and guide dogs behaving badly... These funny, feelgood shows are full of cosy charm and congenial conversation, so join Sandi and friends as they talk 'hygge' and put the world to rights - all over a delectable mug of warm spiced wine. Production credits ???????Hosted by Sandi Toksvig Produced by Julia McKenzie Additional material written by Simon Alcock, Charlie Dinkin, Rajiv Karia and Tasha Dhanraj Production Coordinators: Carina Andrews and Katie Baum Sound Recordist and Editor: Rich Evans A BBC Studios Production Series 1 featuring: Grayson Perry and Sindhu Vee, Bridget Christie and Clive Myrie, Dr Maggie Aderin-Pocock and Rose & Rosie, Prof Brian Cox and Zoe Lyons, Alan Davies Series 2 featuring: Krishnan Guru-Murthy, Gina Miller, Andy Hamilton, Lyse Doucet, David Blunkett First broadcast on BBC Radio 4, 2-31 December 2020 (Series 1), 27-31 December 2021 (Series 2) © 2023 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd. (P) 2023 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd.

Sandi Toksvig (Author), Alan Davies, Andy Hamilton, Brian Cox, Bridget Christie, Clive Myrie, Dr Maggie Aderin-Pocock, Gina Miller, Grayson Perry, Krishnan Guru-Murthy, Maggie Aderin-Pocock, Sandi Toksvig, Sindhu Vee, Various, Zoe Lyons (Narrator)

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The Infinite Monkey Cage: Series 22-25

Four more series of the multi-award-winning science/comedy show Celebrating the wonders of the universe since 2009, The Infinite Monkey Cage combines wit and wisdom to explore scientific concepts in an entertaining, accessible way. In these four series, physicist Brian Cox and comedian Robin Ince are back to 'put a smile on the face of science' (The Independent). They're joined by a wealth of boffins, brainiacs and celebrity science enthusiasts, all keen to share their hard facts, soft theories and bold comic deviations. Beginning with the end of the universe, they tackle topics including black holes, the human brain, Neanderthals and the science of cooking - and attempt to answer profound philosophical questions such as 'What is life, and how did it start?', 'Is time an illusion?' and ''What is reality?' There's also an astronaut's guide to isolation, featuring Helen Sharman, Chris Hadfield, Nicole Stott and Apollo 9's Rusty Schweickart; a look back at 60 years of chimpanzee research with Jane Goodall; and a history of rock (not in the Rolling Stones sense, but actual rolling stones). Plus, the duo play Animal Top Trumps to find out whether we should prefer beautiful bats to much-maligned flies; travel deep below the ocean waves to see what lies beneath; discover how trees communicate using the Wood Wide Web; and learn why two brains are definitely better than one... Among their special guests are Eric Idle, Steve Martin, Matt Lucas, Tim Minchin, Bill Bailey, Mark Gatiss, Steve Jones, Ross Noble, Sara Pascoe, Prof Alice Roberts, Carlo Rovelli, Harold McGee, Dr Janna Levin, Dave Gorman, Brendan Hunt and Katy Brand. Production credits Presented by Brian Cox and Robin Ince Producer: Alexandra Feachem © 2022 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd. (P) 2022 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd

Brian Cox, Robin Ince (Author), Brian Cox, Robin Ince (Narrator)

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Black Holes: The Key to Understanding the Universe

A Brief History of Time for the 21st Century At the heart of our galaxy lies a monster so deadly, not even light can escape its grasp. Its secrets lie waiting to be discovered. It’s time to explore our universe’s most mysterious inhabitants Black Holes At the heart of the Milky Way lies a supermassive black hole 4 million times more massive than our Sun. A place where space and time are so warped that light is trapped if it ventures within 12 million km. According to Einstein, inside lies the end of time. According to 21st-century physics, the reality may be far more bizarre. Black holes lie where the most massive stars used to shine and at the edge of our current understanding. They are naturally occurring objects, the inevitable creations of gravity when too much matter collapses into not enough space. And yet, although the laws of nature predict them, they fail fully to describe them. Black holes are places in space and time where the laws of gravity, quantum physics and thermodynamics collide. Originally thought to be so intellectually troubling that they simply could not exist, it is only in the past few years that we have begun to glimpse a new synthesis; a deep connection between gravity and quantum information theory that describes a holographic universe in which space and time emerge from a network of quantum bits, and wormholes span the void. In this groundbreaking book, Professor Brian Cox and Professor Jeff Forshaw take you to the edge of our understanding of black holes; a scientific journey to the research frontier spanning a century of physics, from Einstein to Hawking and beyond, that ends with the startling conclusion that our world may operate like a giant quantum computer.

Professor Brian Cox, Professor Jeff Forshaw (Author), Brian Cox (Narrator)

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One Small Step: A BBC Moon Landing Collection: The Apollo missions, their lasting significance, and

A collection of BBC radio documentaries celebrating the lunar landings and their legacy On July 20th 1969, for the first time in history, man walked on the moon. Over 50 years later, this 'giant leap for mankind' still captures our imagination, and in this 4-part collection, we bring together some of the most fascinating and insightful BBC documentaries about our ever-changing relationship with our only natural satellite. In Part 1: The Moon Landings, we hear personal accounts of what it was like to be part of some of the defining moments of the 20th Century. Walking on the Moon sees Buzz Aldrin reliving the perilous final moments before touchdown, while in Last Word, Matthew Bannister hears the story of that historic voyage, with contributions from friends, colleagues and old classmates of Neil Armstrong. The History Hour: Exploring Space features recollections of five landmarks in space travel, and in Seriously: Apollo 8, Helen Sharman hears about the first mission which took human beings beyond the earth's orbit. Part 2: Legacy ranges from 1969 to the present day, and analyses the enduring significance of the moon landings. In James Burke: Our Man on the Moon, the key voice for the BBC coverage of the event revisits that dramatic time in front of a live audience. A Moon Landing Special assesses Apollo 11's impact on politics and culture and ponders the future of space exploration. Give Me the MoonLITE finds Richard Hollingham examining British plans to return to space, and two episodes of The Infinite Monkey Cage - The Infinite Moonkey Cage and Astronaut Special - feature an extraordinary gathering of space explorers. Part 3: Why the Moon? considers how the moon has long been an object of fascination for humanity. The Why Factor investigates the moon in culture, and how it affects life on Earth. In Discovery: The Making of the Moon, Lucie Green asks 'Where does the Moon come from - and are we going back'? Meanwhile, in The Forum: The Moon from Earth, Rajan Datar and guests contemplate how our understanding of what the moon is and what it means has changed over time. Part 4: The Future probes the current state of space exploration. In Brainwaves: The Moon, Pennie Latin looks at the race to return to the moon, and in Tulips on the Moon, Richard Hollingham finds out whether it's really possible to grow plants in space. Finally, In The Real Story: The Future of Space Exploration, Celia Hatton and guests discuss where we go next in our quest to understand our place in the universe. Copyright © 2021 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd. (P) 2021 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd

Brian Cox, Buzz Aldrin, James Burke, Neil Armstrong (Author), Brian Cox, Buzz Aldrin, James Burke, Lucie Green, Matthew Bannister, Neil Armstrong, Pennie Latin, Richard Hollingham (Narrator)

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The Universe

Every night, above our heads, a drama of epic proportions is playing out. Diamond planets, zombie stars, black holes heavier than a billion Suns. The cast of characters is extraordinary, and each one has its own incredible story to tell. We once thought of our Earth as unique, but we have now discovered thousands of alien planets, and that’s barely a fraction of the worlds that are out there. And there are more stars in the Universe than grains of sand on every planet in the Solar System. But amid all this vastness, the Milky Way Galaxy, our Sun and the Earth are home to the only known life in the Universe – at least for now. With a foreword from Professor Brian Cox, and access to all the latest NASA mission information, Andrew Cohen takes readers on a voyage of discovery, via the probes and telescopes exploring the outer reaches of our galaxy, revealing how it was formed and how it will inevitably be destroyed by the enigmatic black hole at its heart. And beyond our galaxy, the expanding Universe, which holds clues to the biggest mystery of all – how did it all begin? We now know more about those first moments of existence than we ever thought possible, and hidden in this story of how it all began are the clues to the fate of the Universe itself and everything in it.

Andrew Cohen (Author), Brian Cox, Jot Davies (Narrator)

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Truth & Life Dramatized Audio Bible: New Testament, A Full-Cast Performance of the RSV-CE

Carl Amari (Author), Blair Underwood, Brian Cox, John Rhys-Davies, Julia Ormond, Kristen Bell, Malcolm Mcdowell, Michael York, Neal Mcdonough, Peter Berkrot, Sean Astin, Stacy Keach (Narrator)

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The Word of God Audio Bible: New Testament, A Full-Cast Performance of the RSV-CE

Carl Amari (Author), Blair Underwood, Brian Cox, John Rhys-Davies, Julia Ormond, Kristen Bell, Malcolm Mcdowell, Michael York, Neal Mcdonough, Sean Astin, Stacy Keach (Narrator)

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Alexander: The Story of A Legendary Leader: A BBC Radio 4 full-cast dramatisation

A thrilling six-part serial on the life of Alexander the Great Alexander of Macedon was one of history’s greatest ever military commanders. By the time of his death, aged just 32, he had conquered the entire Persian Empire, and was ruler of a vast territory stretching from Greece to the borders of India. These six episodes tell his extraordinary life story, as reimagined by acclaimed dramatist David Wade. The King’s Son – 356 BC. Outside the city of Pella in Macedonia, the spirits of Achilles and Patroclus are eagerly awaiting a royal birth. But Alexander’s arrival creates friction between King Philip and his Queen, Olympias. I Am Also Alexander – The young Prince is used as a pawn in the war between his parents, and becomes a student of the great philosopher Aristotle. Preparation of the Sacrifice – Alexander goes into battle to prove his manhood. Meanwhile, King Philip's remarriage plans cause tension. The Road to Gordium – Warrior Alexander becomes King of Macedonia and sets out to conquer the world… The Hunt of the God King – Alexander pursues Darius, King of Persia, conquers Egypt – and falls in love with the beautiful Barsine. Great Son of Ammon – The King confronts treachery, invades India and faces the end of the span of years allotted by the Fates... This compelling serial stars Michael Maloney as Alexander, with an incredible cast including Brian Cox, Geraldine James, Alex Jennings and Julian Rhind-Tutt. Also included is a bonus episode of In Our Time, in which Melvyn Bragg and guests explore Alexander’s life, legend and legacy.

David Wade (Author), Alex Jennings, Barry Foster, Brian Cox, Geraldine James, Julian Rhind-Tutt, Michael Maloney, Simon Ward (Narrator)

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The Infinite Monkey Cage: Series 18-21 plus Apollo Special

Four more series of Brian Cox and Robin Ince’s multi award-winning science/comedy show – including the 100th episode and The Infinite Moonkey Cage, a special hour-long episode celebrating the 50th Anniversary of the Apollo moon landings One of BBC Radio 4’s most popular programmes, The Infinite Monkey Cage sees physicists Robin Ince and Brian Cox taking a witty, irreverent look at the world through scientists’ eyes. Aided by guests from the worlds of science, academia and entertainment, they delve into a variety of topics in a quest to explore the quirks and wonders of the universe. In these 25 episodes, they celebrate their 100th show with some very special appearances from Monkey Cage alumni including Brian Blessed, Eric Idle and Andy Hamilton; talk cryptography and codebreaking at GCHQ; look at the origin of numbers; and learn how to build a bionic human. There’s also a discussion about dinosaurs; a sleepy look at the science of dreaming; and a Brits in Space special featuring astronauts Tim Peake and Helen Sharman – plus The Infinite Moonkey Cage, a 60-minute episode in which they are joined by some of the key players involved in landing the first men on the moon on July 20th 1969. Among the many other guests featured in these four series are Neil deGrasse Tyson, Danny Wallace, Shappi Khorsandi, Beardyman, Ed Byrne, Chris Addison, Jo Brand, Rufus Hound, Bridget Christie and Mark Steel. Producer: Alexandra Feachem

Brian Cox (Author), Brian Cox, Full Cast, Robin Ince (Narrator)

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The Stuarts: The epic BBC Radio 4 Drama

Eleven BBC Radio 4 full-cast dramas telling the stories of Mary Queen of Scots and the Stuart royals Under the Stuarts, Britain entered the modern world. But with great change came turmoil, and for 111 years, the Stuart monarchs faced dynastic struggles, religious conflict, the rise of parliamentary democracy - and civil war. These dramas chart that turbulent epoch through its royal family, from Mary, Queen of Scots to the 'last Stuart', Bonnie Prince Charlie's daughter Charlotte. It Came In with a Lass - 1561. Arriving in mist-shrouded Scotland, Queen Mary must quickly distinguish her friends from her enemies. Starring Jeany Spark as Mary. To Make the Plough Go Before the Horse - James I's life and reign told through his relationships, from his first love, Esme to his last favourite, George Villiers. Starring Bill Paterson as James I and VI. A World of Fools and Knaves - Henrietta Maria, Charles I's Catholic queen, watches her husband fail to keep hold of the reins of government. Starring Julian Rhind-Tutt as Charles I. This War Without an Enemy - Only on the morning of his execution can Charles I begin to understand the events that brought him to to the scaffold. Starring Julian Rhind-Tutt as Charles I. Charles II, Part One: Through the World in Various Fortune - When news of Oliver Cromwell's death reaches Brussels, the exiled Charles II plots his return. Starring Jamie Parker as Charles II. Charles II, Part Two: The Long Lease of Pleasant Days- Charles II plots to confound parliamentary reformers and secure the throne for his brother. Starring Pip Torrens as Charles II. James II: The Storms of this Deceitful World- 1688. After just four years as King, James II flees England in the Glorious Revolution. How did it all go so wrong? Starring James Fleet as James II. William III and Mary II: To Have and To Hold- Dutch William marries his Stuart cousin for reasons of politics, not passion - but their partnership proves crucial when it comes to ruling England. Starring Mark Edel-Hunt as William III and Elaine Cassidy as Mary. Queen Anne: Myself Alone- Queen Anne must abandon long-held allegiances to command parliament's loyalty and rule with authority. Starring Fenella Woolgar as Queen Anne. Bonnie Prince Charlie: Who Dares to Be Free- Charles Edward Stuart, the 'Young Pretender', risks everything for the Stuart name. Starring Blake Ritson as Charles. Charlotte Stuart: The Last Stuart - Is Charlotte Stuart as driven as her predecessors, or the last victim of the Stuart curse? Starring Kate O'Flynn as Charlotte. Produced and directed by Jessica Dromgoole, Sasha Yevtushenko, Marc Beeby and Gemma Jenkins.

Mike Walker (Author), Anton Lesser, Bill Paterson, Blake Ritson, Brian Cox, Fenella Woolgar, James Fleet, Julian Rhind-Tutt, Kate O'flynn, Pip Torrens (Narrator)

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Dead Ringers: Series 18: The BBC Radio 4 impressions show

Featuring Jon Culshaw, Jan Ravens, Lewis MacLeod, Debra Stephenson, Duncan Wisbey and Josh Berry Guest starring Sanjeev Bhaskar Produced by Bill Dare Written by Tom Jamieson, Nev Fountain, Tom Coles, Ed Amsden, Sarah Campbell, Laurence Howarth, James Bugg, Laura Major, Max Davis, Mike Shepherd, Sara Gibson, Alex Hardy, Simon Alcock, Duncan Wisbey, Jack Bernhardt, Vivienne Riddoch, Jane McCutcheon and others First broadcast on BBC Radio 4, 8 June-13 July 2018 (Series 18) and 17 February 2018 (An Alien Has Landed)|The complete Series 18 of the award-winning BBC Radio 4 impressions show - plus special episode An Alien Has Landed Dead Ringers is back with more topical comedy, political vituperation, media mauling and celebrity savaging from Jon Culshaw, Jan Ravens, Lewis MacLeod, Debra Stephenson, Duncan Wisbey and Josh Berry. In the six shows from Series 18, 'Brexit Bulldog' David Davis decides to go back in time to 1973 and prevent Britain from joining the EEC in the first place, Joan Bakewell explains Love Island to Radio 4 listeners, and we hear the team's unique take on the summit between Kim Jong-un and Donald Trump. There's also a guide to the World Cup for those who hear 'And now Gary with the sport' and think it's a cue to go and brush their teeth; and an exploration into how Britain is coping with an onslaught of good sporting news and relentlessly pleasant weather. Guest starring Sanjeev Bhaskar as extraterrestrial Geoff, the 45-minute special An Alien Has Landed sees Dead Ringers looking back one year after Geoff's spaceship arrived on Earth, and examining his integration into British life, his meteoric rise and his spectacular fall from grace. Among the talking heads are Brian Cox, Louis Theroux - and Thora Hird. Cast & Credits

Nev Fountain, Tom Jamieson (Author), , Brian Cox, Debra Stephenson, Duncan Wisbey, Full Cast, Jan Ravens, Jon Culshaw, Lewis Macleod, Sanjeev Bhaskar (Narrator)

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Audiobooks Narrated by Brian Cox