John Ronald Reuel Tolkien was born in Bloemfontein in 1892.
Orphaned before he was a teenager, he fought at the Somme in the First World War before going on to become one of the best-selling authors of all time.
Bilbo, Gandalf, Gollum, Frodo, Sauron - these are just a few of the famous characters he created for The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings.
Nomi ... Show More
Oct 6
Jock Stein, first British football manager to win the European Cup
Jock Stein, first British football manager to win the European Cup, picked by composer Sir James MacMillan and aided by Jock Stein’s biographer, Archie MacPherson. Jock Stein was manager of Celtic FC when they won the European Cup in Lisbon in 1967. He later died while managing S ... Show More
27m 41s
Sep 22
Miles Jupp on JL Carr, author of A Month in the Country
"I find his novels extraordinarily beautiful .. and they're an excellent length."Miles Jupp picks an author he loves, but knows little about. JL Carr was born in Yorkshire and was a teacher, mapmaker, and an eccentric. Joining the comedian in studio to discuss Carr is a man who k ... Show More
27m 28s
Aug 2022
The Hobbit: Book Zero in the Lord of the Rings Trilogy
The journey through Middle-earth begins here with J.R.R. Tolkien's classic prelude to his Lord of the Rings trilogy.
“A glorious account of a magnificent adventure, filled with suspense and seasoned with a quiet humor that is irresistible... All those, young or old, who love a ... Show More
10h 58m
May 2019
The Hobbit (Unabridged) Andy Serkis Part 1 of 2
Publisher's summaryThis brand-new unabridged audio book of J.R.R. Tolkien’s beloved The Hobbit will be coming to listeners everywhere this September, read by the BAFTA award-winning actor, director and author, Andy Serkis.Bilbo Baggins is a hobbit who enjoys a comfortable, unambi ... Show More
5h 42m