Living with the Gods

[Belgrove]

Radio 4 is broadcasting a superb series Living with the Gods

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b09czn7x

presented by Neil MacGregor in tandem with an exhibition at the British Museum. Like his previous History of the world in 100 Objects, this is public broadcasting at its very best. MacGregor is marvellous at explaining the importance and context of an object, which to the untutored eye may appear quite humdrum. His scope is breathtaking.
With regard to the thread on the programme about Isiah Berlin (also on R4) which pondered on where the public intellectuals are today, it strikes me that MacGregor fills that role amply.

[DracoM]

[Cockney Sparrow]

I thought this one is worthy of particular mention :

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b09c0pw4

The Power of Song
Living With The Gods

Neil MacGregor continues his series on the expression of shared beliefs in communities around the world and across time.

He focuses on a Kirchenpelz or 'church fur' - a sheepskin coat made in the late 19th century in Transylvania, now part of Romania, for the German-speaking Saxon community there. This was not just 'Sunday Best': to wear this coat was to proclaim in public your allegiance to the Lutheran Church, and your identity as a Transylvanian Saxon.

He also reflects on the importance and power of communal singing within the Lutheran Church and elsewhere: the German theologian and priest Martin Luther did not invent hymns or congregational singing, but he did transform them, making them central to worship as never before.

[Sir Velo]

Radio 4 is broadcasting a superb series Living with the Gods

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b09czn7x

presented by Neil MacGregor in tandem with an exhibition at the British Museum. Like his previous History of the world in 100 Objects, this is public broadcasting at its very best. MacGregor is marvellous at explaining the importance and context of an object, which to the untutored eye may appear quite humdrum. His scope is breathtaking.
With regard to the thread on the programme about Isiah Berlin (also on R4) which pondered on where the public intellectuals are today, it strikes me that MacGregor fills that role amply.

Thanks for this Belgrove. Having missed the start of this series, I am delighted to note that there are podcasts available so will put to rights immediately.

[johncorrigan]

Radio 4 is broadcasting a superb series Living with the Gods

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b09czn7x

presented by Neil MacGregor in tandem with an exhibition at the British Museum. Like his previous History of the world in 100 Objects, this is public broadcasting at its very best. MacGregor is marvellous at explaining the importance and context of an object, which to the untutored eye may appear quite humdrum. His scope is breathtaking.
With regard to the thread on the programme about Isiah Berlin (also on R4) which pondered on where the public intellectuals are today, it strikes me that MacGregor fills that role amply.

I've just gone back through the original 100 and found them even more fascinating this time round. Wonderful broadcasting. I also loved his series on Germany, 'Memories of a Nation' also still available to download.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b04dwbwz/episodes/downloads

One of my favourite episodes is 'Out of the Rubble' , a statue about the women who cleared the rubble from the wartorn German cities in the aftermath of the War.

'Living with the Gods' just continues this wonderful broadcaster's reputation, in my eyes anyway.

[DracoM]

Yes, indeed, for Mr MacGregor, deo gratias, less is more.
Natural broadcaster.
Fine production values too.