And now on Radio 4 - Simon Elmes

A Celebration of the World's Best Radio Station

I was bound to enjoy this book, as I'm a big fan of Radio 4 - when I'm at home there are various radios around the house tuned in (even if this does mean a strange affect from the delay of DAB radios).  I started listening in about 2002, I'd just finished university my partner at the time was a Radio 4 devotee, and along with reading The Guardian newspaper (which I also do, but did before too) it was the thing that archaeologists do.

Over the years since I've learnt so much from the station - I get my news, my current affairs, my knowledge and my entertainment from this station.  I don't have a television, so Radio 4 really is my window on the world.  So, this book gave me a history of the station that accompanies my every day.

Little stories from different presenters (particularly funny are the stories from Charlotte Green, who I've heard get the giggles on a number of memorable occasions), the programmes that have been on but didn't make it, the different controllers and the changes they've made to the running order and the programmes themselves - all add some depth and history to the programmes I listen to.

I've learnt how the schedule has changed substantially since the station began in 1967, how when it began there was a lot of music (now there is very little - as I write this I'm listening to Mozart on one of the few programmes which has been there since the beginning and still contains music - Desert Island Discs), how the wars in the Falklands and Iraq changed the face of the station (more news), and settling down of the schedule to what I know today.

I particularly enjoyed reading about The Archers (a guilty pleasure but not one I'm a slave to!), and my absolute favourite bit of the station (which I don't hear often) - The Shipping Forecast.

For anyone who enjoys listening to Radio 4 this programme is a must - I've already got a copy for Liz, might get one for Colin for his birthday.

Bought on Green Metropolis
August 2010