Category

Non-Fiction

Playlist-style category page for non-fiction, gathering 17 Book Bag videos into one searchable site section.

After Hans Holbein arrived in England, painting would never be the same again. Elizabeth Goldring... video thumbnail1:03:10

After Hans Holbein arrived in England, painting would never be the same again. Elizabeth Goldring...

Hans Holbein's masterpieces are world-renowned, but who was the man behind those brilliantly observed portraits of the Tudor court? Elizabeth Goldring drops into the Book Bag to discuss her marvellous new biography.

Suzi chats with George Orwell biographer, critic and novelist DJ Taylor video thumbnail1:07:24

Suzi chats with George Orwell biographer, critic and novelist DJ Taylor

Suzi interviews George Orwell biographer, critic and novelist DJ Taylor about his methods, motivations and insights.

Suzi chats with cartoonist and poet Martin Rowson. video thumbnail1:13:15

Suzi chats with cartoonist and poet Martin Rowson.

Cartoonist Martin Rowson joins me in the Book Bag to celebrate publication of his Collected Journalism and also to chat about 'The *untsiad' his savage update of Alexander Pope's satirical epic The Dunciad. We get a bit sweary and talk about the grand old days in Soho.

Suzi chats with historian Kathryn Hughes. The history of cats and so much more. video thumbnail1:08:50

Suzi chats with historian Kathryn Hughes. The history of cats and so much more.

Historian Kathryn Hughes joins Suzi in the Book Bag to discuss 'Catland', a vastly entertaining glimpse into the bizarre world of Victorian artist Louis Wain and his anthropomorphic felines. Think Richard Dadd with cats instead of fairies.

Suzi chats with author Suzanne Joinson. video thumbnail1:14:15

Suzi chats with author Suzanne Joinson.

Suzanne Joinson drops into the Book Bag to discuss her memoir about an extraordinary childhood, 'The Museum of Lost and Fragile Things'. Her parents were spiritual seekers, but the impact on their children was immense.

Suzi chats with author Will Noble video thumbnail1:01:45

Suzi chats with author Will Noble

It's got two palaces, it's the last resting place of 11 archbishops, its aerodrome was at the forefront of aviation, even its diving board is Grade II listed. If's...

Suzi chats with Fabio Barry video thumbnail1:23:22

Suzi chats with Fabio Barry

No one decodes the esoteric meanings behind churches, temples and palaces like architectural historian Fabio Barry. He joins Suzi in the Book Bag to discuss his prizewinning book 'Painting in Stone', a brilliant survey of marble decoration from the ancient world to the Enlightenment.

Suzi chats with music author Daniel Rachel video thumbnail1:23:21

Suzi chats with music author Daniel Rachel

Don't watch that, watch THIS! Daniel Rachel joins Suzi in the Book Bag to talk about 'Too Much Too Young', his epic history of 2 Tone records: the suits, the fights, the hats and the heavy heavy monster sound that captivated post-punk Britain.

Suzi chats with philosopher Mark Vernon of Idler magazine. video thumbnail1:10:19

Suzi chats with philosopher Mark Vernon of Idler magazine.

The Idler magazine's in-house philosopher drops into the Book Bag to discuss his innovative book on Dante. Mark Vernon explains how The Divine Comedy is a living text, a map of the psyche and an essential guide on the spiritual journey.

Suzi chats with musical journalist and author Simon Price. If you want to talk The Cure, he's it. video thumbnail1:16:38

Suzi chats with musical journalist and author Simon Price. If you want to talk The Cure, he's it.

Music journalist Simon Price drops into the Book Bag to swap stories with Suzi about the Manics, Morrissey and Robert Smith, and to discuss his comprehensive A-Z guide to The Cure, 'Curepedia'. He also reveals how one band gave a bizarre, citrus-related response to his music review.

Suzi chats with author Rachel Cockerell. video thumbnail53:39

Suzi chats with author Rachel Cockerell.

Rachel Cockerell has been wowing reviewers and readers alike with her innovative debut, 'Melting Point'. She joins Suzi in the Book Bag to explain how she went about fusing a family memoir with the quest for a Jewish homeland in the first half of the 20th century.

Suzi chats with author Kevin Le Gendre. video thumbnail1:19:42

Suzi chats with author Kevin Le Gendre.

Music critic and broadcaster Kevin Le Gendre joins Suzi in the Book Bag to discuss his major ongoing project to document the history of Black music in Britain, and his love for the Trinidadian novelists Sam Selvon and Earl Lovelace.

Suzi chats with Mary Novakovich video thumbnail1:20:10

Suzi chats with Mary Novakovich

Acclaimed travel journalist Mary Novakovich breaks off from globe-trotting to chat to Suzi about 'My Family and Other Enemies', the account of her many visits to Croatia in search of family connections and history in a beautiful but frequently troubled land. With some top packing tips from a travelling pro.

Suzi chats with Shakespeare scholar Chris Laoutaris. video thumbnail1:24:26

Suzi chats with Shakespeare scholar Chris Laoutaris.

Poet, biographer and Shakespeare scholar Chris Laoutaris drops into the Book Bag to discuss 'Shakespeare's Book', his terrific account of the men behind the making of the First Folio. We owe the survival of 'Macbeth'.

Suzi chats with Cathi Unsworth video thumbnail1:16:33

Suzi chats with Cathi Unsworth

Crime novelist, biographer and music critic Cathi Unsworth drops into the Book Bag to muse with Suzi over all things Goth - as detailed in her mighty compendium of the genre, 'Season of the Witch'. Grab that eyeliner, tease that spikey hair, and listen in as they release the bats.

Suzi chats with author Henry Jeffreys video thumbnail1:18:12

Suzi chats with author Henry Jeffreys

Henry Jeffreys is an award-winning drinks writer and former literary publicist. His book 'Empire of Booze' looks at the influence of the British on classic drinks around the world, from port and sherry to claret and champagne.

Suzi chats with contemporary cultural historian Travis Elborough video thumbnail1:15:04

Suzi chats with contemporary cultural historian Travis Elborough

Travis Elborough is an author, critic and pop cultural historian who has written books on vinyl, double-decker buses, old London Bridge and Parklife. His Atlas series includes Improbable Places, Vanishing Places and the Unexpected.