Episode 5
The proliferation of "Prodigy" books and the first book to detail insects - Micrographia. The shortest poem in history and the longest, largest and smallest books.
Edward Brooke-Hitching's father was an antiquarian book dealer. So began his fascination, leading to a unique journey through the entire history of literature, delving into its darkest territories to hunt down the very strangest books ever written, and uncover the stories behind their creation.
This is a madman’s library of eccentric and extraordinary volumes from around the world, many of which have been completely forgotten. Books written in blood and books that kill, books of the insane and books that hoaxed the globe, books invisible to the naked eye and books so long they could destroy the Universe, books worn into battle, books of code and cypher whose secrets remain undiscovered… and a few others that are just plain weird.
Abridged by Polly Coles
Reader: Arty Froushan
Produced by Clive Brill.
A Brill production for Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 4
Last on
More episodes
Previous
Next
You are at the last episode
See all episodes from The Madman's Library by Edward Brooke-Hitching
Broadcasts
- Fri 16 Jul 2021 09:45Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 4 FM
- Sat 17 Jul 2021 00:30Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 4