Doubles is a powerful compact story, a novella. The protagonist is a 12 year old girl who finds comfort and security in numbers.

It takes place in 1968 in an institution for troubled youth. The novella explores how the good girl,over a period of six months, turns into a delinquent.

The conversation with Dr Gold is thoughtful, passionate and engaging.

Doubles is a short book that stays with you for a long time!

Antonio Forcione is a brilliant guitar player who is just about to go on tour.

Antonio really like to entertain and he is joined by comedian, singer and songwriter Boothby Graffoe.

When we talked Antonio was in a museum in Rome and Boothby was in Portugal.

I'm David Freeman and I was in Cheltenham.

Prue is back as a judge on The Great American Cooking Show.

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!!!

Some interviewees I remember as 'troupers'.

At the very top of that tree were the Collins sisters. Joan is now 93. She is still looking galmorous at Cannes!

I remember a televised conversation I had with Joan. Her assistant decreed that the lighting must be subtle but Joan herself insisted on full on straight in the face spots. I had theories why this might be her preference.

Over the years I interviewed Joan and her sister Jackie a few times. It was always 'an event'.

The Collins sisters spoke to me in London at the end of the last century. Jackie was promoting her novel 'Thrill' about the glamorous world of Hollywood, and Joan was encouraging interest in her autobiography 'Second Act'. Both sisters were happy to talk about themselves.

Sadly Jackie died in 2015 .... but Joan marches on!

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?