Eyewitness 1950 - 1959
Joanna Bourke Audio Book

Authentic voices from the past illustrate this unique history of the twentieth century, written by Joanna Bourke and presented by Tim Pigott-Smith.'Eyewitness' provides a rare and fascinating opportunity to hear the events of the century described by those who saw them happen. A wealth of BBC archive recordings, some never previously broadcast, is interwoven with an illuminating commentary by the historian Joanna Bourke. Published in ten volumes, 'Eyewitness' examines the role and the life of the British people in each decade of the century.In 1951, the Festival of Britain celebrated a more egalitarian and peaceful society. Nevertheless young men were still called on to fight as conflicts erupted in Malaya, Korea, Cyprus and Suez. Then, as the nuclear threat increased, protestors took to the streets and CND was born.This was the era of Angry Young Men, literate rebels against the old order: also of the Teddy Boy, creator of distinctive fashion, but representing a culture of violence and discrimination as seen in the Notting Hill race riots. Rock-and-roll caused riots of a different kind but produced Britain’s first true pop stars.Alan Sillitoe, John Osborne, Joan Bakewell, Tommy Steele and Cliff Richard recall aspects of the decade, as do National Servicemen, Teddy Boys and the black community of Notting Hill.Thought-provoking and moving, these are the voices of the past, speaking to the present.'BBC Audiobooks have had the happy inspiration of using the BBC’s monumental library of archive recordings...' – Times.'... a compelling selection that gives stimulating insights into great events of the opening years of the last century' - Sunday Times.'The BBC’s skilful mapping of the 20th century through the medium of its vast oral archive continues into what is, for baby boomers like myself, a dimly remembered reality, and becomes all the more fascinating for that reason' - BBC History Magazine.'The Eyewitness series should be compulsory listening for anyone under the age of 30' - North West Evening Mail.'A fascinating trip back in time' - Essex Chronicle.'This must be as close to the horse’s mouth as history gets' – Guardian.'Rich, varied and important voices bringing history alive' - Songs of Praise Magazine.'... intelligent, illuminating and evocative...' - BBC History Magazine.'Well-chosen clips bring it all to life...' - Sunday Times.'Eyewitness is a lost treasure trove of lost accents and cadences...' – Observer.'There is no doubt that this uniquely detailed oral history of Britain is one of the greatest achievements in Audiobook publishing' - BBC History Magazine. Authentic voices from the past illustrate this unique history of the twentieth century, written by Joanna Bourke and presented by Tim Pigott-Smith.'Eyewitness' provides a rare and fascinating opportunity to hear the events of the century described by those who saw them happen. A wealth of BBC archive recordings, some never previously broadcast, is interwoven with an illuminating commentary by the historian Joanna Bourke. Published in ten volumes, 'Eyewitness' examines the role and the life of the British people in each decade of the century.In 1951, the Festival of Britain celebrated a more egalitarian and peaceful society. Nevertheless young men were still called on to fight as conflicts erupted in Malaya, Korea, Cyprus and Suez. Then, as the nuclear threat increased, protestors took to the streets and CND was born.This was the era of Angry Young Men, literate rebels against the old order: also of the Teddy Boy, creator of distinctive fashion, but representing a culture of violence and discrimination as seen in the Notting Hill race riots. Rock-and-roll caused riots of a different kind but produced Britain’s first true pop stars.Alan Sillitoe, John Osborne, Joan Bakewell, Tommy Steele and Cliff Richard recall aspects of the decade, as do National Servicemen, Teddy Boys and the black community of Notting Hill.Thought-provoking and moving, these are the voices of the past, speaking to the present.'BBC Audiobooks have had the happy inspiration of using the BBC’s monumental library of archive recordings...' – Times.'... a compelling selection that gives stimulating insights into great events of the opening years of the last century' - Sunday Times.'The BBC’s skilful mapping of the 20th century through the medium of its vast oral archive continues into what is, for baby boomers like myself, a dimly remembered reality, and becomes all the more fascinating for that reason' - BBC History Magazine.'The Eyewitness series should be compulsory listening for anyone under the age of 30' - North West Evening Mail.'A fascinating trip back in time' - Essex Chronicle.'This must be as close to the horse’s mouth as history gets' – Guardian.'Rich, varied and important voices bringing history alive' - Songs of Praise Magazine.'... intelligent, illuminating and evocative...' - BBC History Magazine.'Well-chosen clips bring it all to life...' - Sunday Times.'Eyewitness is a lost treasure trove of lost accents and cadences...' – Observer.'There is no doubt that this uniquely detailed oral history of Britain is one of the greatest achievements in Audiobook publishing' - BBC History Magazine.