For the Love of Radio 4 An Unofficial Companion

by Caroline Hodgson

Who were the original Goons?

What is happening when presenters ‘crash the pips’?

Which radio programme has featured guest appearances by the Duchess of Cornwall, Alan Titchmarsh, Mike Gatting and Kirstie Allsopp?

From Farming Today at sunrise to the gentle strains of ‘Sailing By’ and the Shipping Forecast long after midnight, Radio 4 provides the soundtrack to life for millions of Britons. In For the Love of Radio 4: An Unofficial Companion, Caroline Hodgson celebrates all that’s best about the nation’s favourite spoken word station, taking us on a tour through its history, its key personalities and programmes, and countless memorable moments from the archives.

Genres: Nonfiction

208 pages, Paperback

First published October 9, 2014

Reviews

[Raj · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a fairly lightweight fluff piece of a book. The most interesting part for me was probably the early sections that talked about the history and antecedents of Radio 4. The sections discussing individual programmes won't contain much that long-term fans of the station won't already know, but it's pleasant enough.

My main problem is that I've slightly gone off Radio 4, especially the Today programme, over the last few years, since B*exit, since I felt it was biased and drifting ever more to the right. And since it was always Today which anchored me to the station, I've drifted away from R4 as well. I listen to a lot more podcasts these days, and when I do listen to the radio, it's as often the World Service as R4.

Going back to the book, it's split into thematic sections, covering news and current affairs, drama, arts, etc. Mainstays of the schedule get their own subsection, covering the programme's history, previous presenters and any controversy that it's had. Light and fluffy, it reminded me of many of the things I do still love about Radio 4 and might bring me back to some degree (although I think Today has lost me for good).

[Sophie Crane · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is not a book to read from cover to cover, from beginning to end. It is a book to be dipped into and read in snippets. It was bought for me by a dear friend who is also a radio 4 addict. There are times to reflect, times to laugh. It is a book that causes conversations among other radio 4 addicts as to why some things are not included. There are grey areas about the past - childrens' hour: were some programmes of our childhood on the light programme or the home service before the names were changed. It has to be very individual because any book analizing all radio 4 from the beginning would run into many volumes not the comfortably sized book that I can put in my handbag and take to read while sitting waiting for friends in a restaurant. Thank you Caroline Hodgson for assembling all this information. It is a little gem.

[Mart · Rating 5 out of 5]

I adore BBC Radio 4. I've been an addict now for a couple of decades and it's become a part of who I am, how I think and see the world. This little book was just a wonderful read as it went behind the scenes and into the hidden corners of the station's history, exploring the people and social forces that have shaped it over the years. Wonderful.

[Danny Withington · Rating 4 out of 5]

The beginning of this book was particuarlly interesting. The pages that follow, delving into the facts and oddities of the vaious shows and presentes were also interesting, but at times a little laborious, hence the not quite 5 star review. That said, I would certainly recommend this book to any radio 4 listener - you're almost guaranteed to find a new show of interest.

[Cambridge Spine Crackers · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a purposefully lightweight, pleasurable palette-cleanser of a book to open up the year with. Full of little trivia’s and statistics about a much-loved British institution, this companion guide taught me a few interesting facts about my favourite shows and presenters. I even learnt of some programmes new to me that I’ll be catching up on.

[Jonny Brick · Rating 3 out of 5]

Comprehensive primer that is full of nuggets. Very good on comedy and ethical programmes.

[Sharon Garbett · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant!!!!!

[Páidi · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a lovely gentle yet very informative book.

A hot for fans of Radio 4

[Paul · Rating 3 out of 5]

Radio 4 makes up about 95% of my radio listening with the odd venture into Radio 1 on a Friday evening for the dance music. Very rarely listen to Radio 2, though I have memories of hearing Wogan & co on as a child on my parents radio, and would never ever contemplate turning Radio 3 on. Ever.

Radio 4 is a national institution now.

This book is crammed full of facts and anecdotes on this station that offers a background murmur to millions of Britons throughout the day. Hodgson has dredged the archive and pulled together masses of detail on programmes, the people and the shows that make this station unique. The book is split into the main areas that are covered, so there are chapters on the news and political analysis, the dramas, the arts and sciences and the superb comedy shows that are available. Each chapter has lots on the programmes that fill the airwaves and how we got to where we are today with a historical snapshot of the section.

I don’t like everything that is transmitted, but it is a broad church, and there is genuinely something for everyone on the station. My favourite programmes are the Friday night satirical comedies, that have the mix of biting political satire with almost no holds barred. Great stuff. The channel is a bit weaker now on the science since Material World went, but it still has a good mix of news and documentaries. The book brings alive those programmes that is has that offer comfort to regular listeners; the unhurried tones of the shipping news, John Humphries savaging the current politicians and the metronomic pips. It is not without its flaws though. It does feel bitty as it jumps from history to fact to potted biographies of presenters.

Worth a read if you’re a fan of the station.

[Lesley Anderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

All my friends. Did not realise how long some of these programmes had been going. some great names from the past.Purely nostalgic

[Peter K · Rating 3 out of 5]

A charming and interesting read and recommended for any listener of Radio 4 and even for those that are not.

The chapters on the history of the station and how it developed out of the Home Service were very interesting as was the reflection of the impact of John Reith despite his presence at the BBC not being as lengthy as some would imagine.

The later parts of the book look at individual programmes with snippets about them and their hitory of development.

A light and interesting read which was enjoyable.

[Anna · Rating 3 out of 5]

Just what the January fuzz brain ordered. Small chunks, easy and interesting.

The writing did resonate a bit for me with the way I feel writing an essay the night before the deadline: you know that bit where you're actually starting to enjoy writing it and realise it could have been really quite good if you'd started a bit earlier but now it's too late and you've just gotta get it done even if you don't have time to notice before you've submitted it that you've used the same citation to make two different points in different paragraphs? That was this.

Favourite fact: when the last LW Transmitter valve blows (and apparently they're on the last one now), Radio 4 longwave will just stop forever. No one knows when this will happen. Also, Navy submarines use the Radio 4 LW signal as a Letter of Last Resort; so when the transmitter goes, they'll just assume we've all been anhililated.

[Matthew · Rating 3 out of 5]

Presents a light history of Radio 4 and a snapshot of it in 2014. Not quite as deep as it could be and in places too obvious in its choice of trivia, it nevertheless captures the feel of the station and the regard in which it is held. Where it really engages is in the memories of the station’s presenters and perhaps it could have done with more of these. Something to dip into rather than a full history, but a gentle companion to a delightful institution.

[Mikeh5972 · Rating 4 out of 5]

For all Radio 4 addicts this is a most enjoyable read. The factual and trivial information about many favourite programmes is most satisfying. Where would we be without our beloved Radio 4?