The Author Archive Podcast

David Wilson - A Plot to Kill

It's Bafta time again.

The winner of the BAFTA for best actor went to Timothy Spall for his performance in 'The Sixth Commandment'.

Timothy played Peter Farquar, a gay Christian teacher who was murdered by a student, Ben Field.

The horrific murder actually happened in the normally peaceful  village of Maids Moreton in Buckinghamshire.

The true story is told by David Wilson who lives in the village in his book 'A Plot to Kill'.

He told David Freeman about it.

 

 

Ashley Mullinger - My Fishing Life

Ashley Mullinger is a commercial fisherman.

She used to work in an office but found it dull and stressful. She  decided to go on a half day fishing trip with a couple of her friends just to make a change.

The friends sort of liked it but Ashley REALLY liked it and now does it as a full time job. She is so good at it she was awarded the title of 'Fisherman of the Year'.

In this conversation she explains her passion for the life and her fears for the future of the whole commercial fishing industry.

 

Rebecca Frayn - Lost in Ibiza

There is an article in the Culture section of The Sunday Times about father and daughter Michael and Rebecca Frayn.

Rebecca is a farmer and environmental activist and writer who lives in the north of Ibiza.

Her new novel 'Lost in Ibiza' is coincidentally, about  a young environmental activist who travels to Ibiza to meet her biological father for the very first time.

It's a story of family drama, but it is also the story of a paradise island under threat.

A great holiday read!

Eric Bibb talks about his life in music

Eric Bibb remembers his introduction into music via his dad Leon and the musical luminaries who visited the family home.

Paul Robeson was his Godather, and a very young Bob Dylan gave him some sound advice.

Now 72 Eric is still touring, playing, and writing songs. He is one of lifes gentlemen!

Angus Hanton - Vassal State

This brand new book examines the astonishing extent of American ownership in UK business.

Whether you are interested in 'taking back control' or how much of our day to day financial transactions happen via the US, you will find this fascinating and possibly horrifying.

Gareth E. Rees - Sunken Lands

Sunken Lands is about a journey through flooded kingdoms and lost worlds.

Gareth tells of places he has visited to see history and extrapolates forward to imagine the world we are leaving for future generations.

There is anger, poetry, myth .... and David Bowie.

Robin Eggar - biography of Tom Jones

This conversation was recorded in 2000 when Robin Eggar's biography of Tom Jones was first published.

At this time Tom's wife, Linda, was still alive and Tom himself was a mere 60 years old.

It emerges from this interview that the man born Thomas Woodward was driven by two passions. What they are is revealed in this Author Archive episode.

Andrew Lownie - Traitor King : The Scandalous Exile of the Duke & Duchess of Windsor.

Once again Meghan and Harry are juggling with their identities.

They are clearly wanting to be royal having given up being 'royal'. If you decide to walk away from your royal identity just what are you left with?

This book,'Traitor King', tells the story of an inglorious royal. It is a shocking example of what happens when inherited status is randomly given to a person who is clearly not up to the task. The book is the basis of the Channel 4 programme that shed light on the whole episode.

As well as telling the historical story Andrew Lownie discusses the lessons that can be learned by the present Royal Family. Maybe food for thought for Andrew as well as Harry and Meghan.

Andrew Lownie is currently working on a biography of Price Andrew. Because of the rules surrounding the royals he is finding it impossible to access some of the documents he requires to write a substantial comprehensive book. 

I'm looking forward to talking to Andrew about it.

 

 

Lisa St Aubin De Teran - Memory Maps

Lisa has written a new memoir 'Better Broken Than New'

She has ploughed this furrow before  and I interviewed her when 'Memory Maps' was published.

Lisa has lived life to the full.

She is a very beguiling woman and many men have fallen for her charms and married her.

On the day I interviewed her she was in the mood for remembering her life and loves in wonderful detail.

Maeve Binchy - Scarlet Feather

This conversation was recorded when the very last Maeve Binchy novel was published in paperback.

Maeve was always an entertaining interviewee - getting her to talk was never a problem!

Unsurprisingly her books continue to sell.