China
12 episodes
China's Warring States period
Melvyn Bragg discusses an epoch of astonishing productivity in Chinese history after Confucius and before the Terracotta Army that has great parallels with the golden age of Greek culture.
1 April 2004
Featuring: Chris Cullen, Vivienne Lo, Carol Michaelson
Chinese Legalism
Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss the rise of Chinese Legalism under the First Emperor, its relationship with Confucianism and its legacy today.
10 December 2015
Featuring: Frances Wood, Hilde de Weerdt, Roel Sterckx
Confucius
Melvyn Bragg discusses the philosophy of Confucius, a body of ideas which, more than any other philosophy, has defined what it is to be Chinese.
1 November 2001
Featuring: Frances Wood, Tim Barrett, Tao Tao Liu
PhilosophyFounders of religions5th-century BC Chinese writers, 6th-century BC Chinese writers, Chinese political philosophers, Deified Chinese men, Zhou dynasty philosophers, Zhou dynasty writersPhilosophers of lawClassical humanists5th-century BC historiansPhilosophers of cultureSocial philosophersAphorists5th-century BC religious leaders, 6th-century BC religious leadersPhilosophers of education5th century BC6th century BCChinaDaoism
Melvyn Bragg and his guests discuss Daoism, a Chinese belief system encompassing both religion and philosophy.
16 December 2010
Featuring: Tim Barrett, Martin Palmer, Hilde de Weerdt
Journey to the West
Melvyn Bragg discusses the much loved Chinese novel from 1592, featuring Monkey, Tripitaka, Sandy and Pigsy, as they travel to India to bring back Buddhist texts.
20 May 2021
Featuring: Julia Lovell, Chiung-yun Evelyn Liu, Craig Clunas
Matteo Ricci and the Ming dynasty
Melvyn Bragg and his guests discuss Matteo Ricci's 16th-century mission to Ming Dynasty China, an important early encounter between east and west.
16 April 2015
Featuring: Mary Laven, Craig Clunas, Anne Gerritsen
Romance of the Three Kingdoms
Melvyn Bragg and his guests discuss Romance of the Three Kingdoms, widely regarded as one of the greatest works of Chinese literature.
27 June 2013
Featuring: Frances Wood, Craig Clunas, Margaret Hillenbrand
Sources of Early Chinese History
Melvyn Bragg and his guests discuss early Chinese history and the documents in which it was recorded.
23 January 2014
Featuring: Roel Sterckx, Tim Barrett, Hilde de Weerdt
Sun Tzu and The Art of War
Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss the Chinese military adviser Sun Tzu from the 6th century BC and the influential work of military strategy associated with him, The Art of War.
1 March 2018
Featuring: Hilde de Weerdt, Tim Barrett, Imre Galambos
History5th-century BC Chinese writers, 6th-century BC Chinese writers, Chinese political philosophers, Deified Chinese men, Zhou dynasty philosophers, Zhou dynasty writersJourney to the West charactersPhilosophers of culturePhilosophers of social sciencePeople whose existence is disputedMilitary theoristsPhilosophers of warAphoristsPolitical realistsTheoretical historiansPhilosophers of education5th century BC6th century BCChinaThe Boxer Rebellion
Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss the Boxer Rebellion, when the Society of Righteous and Harmonious Fists purged China of foreign influences in the summer of 1900.
19 March 2009
Featuring: Frances Wood, Rana Mitter, R. G. Tiedemann
HistoryWars involving the United KingdomWars involving JapanPersecution of ChristiansWars involving the Habsburg monarchyUnited States Marine Corps in the 18th and 19th centuriesWars involving the United StatesEight Banners, Rebellions in the Qing dynastyWars involving FranceWars involving the Russian Empire19th centuryChinaFranceRussiaThe Great Wall of China
Melvyn Bragg and guests Julia Lovell, Rana Mitter and Frances Wood discuss The Great Wall of China.
29 April 2010
Featuring: Julia Lovell, Rana Mitter, Frances Wood
The Taiping Rebellion
Melvyn Bragg and his guests discuss the Taiping Rebellion, a Chinese civil war which claimed around 20 million lives in the 19th century.
24 February 2011
Featuring: Rana Mitter, Frances Wood, Julia Lovell
