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John Simpson

Sue Lawley's castaway is journalist John Simpson.

The castaway in Desert Island Discs this week is John Simpson. Recently honoured by the Royal Television Society as Journalist of the Year, he'll be talking about his life covering foreign affairs for the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ. In that capacity, he has reported on most of the momentous upheavals of the last few years - from Tiananmen Square to the release of Nelson Mandela, from the fall of Ceausescu to the collapse of the Berlin Wall.

More recently, he was one of the very few journalists to stay on in Baghdad when the Allies began their bombardment of Iraq. He'll be talking to Sue Lawley about his time there, as well as his other - more frightening rather than thrilling - experiences as the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ's Foreign Affairs Editor.

[Taken from the original programme material for this archive edition of Desert Island Discs]

Favourite track: Il N'y A Plus D'Apres by Juliette Greco
Book: A title in French by Marcel Proust
Luxury: Flute

Available now

40 minutes

Last on

Fri 24 May 1991 09:05
Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 4

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Cecil Lewis

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Rt Hon John Smith

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Music Played

  • Ralph Vaughan Williams

    Norfolk Rhapsody No. 1

    Orchestra: The London Philharmonic Orchestra

    • Vaughan Williams Norfolk Rhapsody.
    • Chandos.

  • Henry Purcell

    Fear no danger to ensue (from Dido and Aeneas)

    Soloist: Eileen Poulter, Patricia Clark Orchestra: The English Chamber Orchestra

    • Dido And Aeneas.
    • Decca.

  • SeΓ΅n Γ“ Riada

    Inion An Philitinigh

    • O Riada Sa Gaiety/ Sean O Riada.
    • Gael-Linn.

  • BΓ©la BartΓ³k

    Romanian Folk Dances

    Orchestra: Budapest Festival Orchestra. Conductor: IvΓ΅n Fischer.

    Soloist: Susan Tomes, Krysia Osostowicz

    • Bartok; Rhapsodies Nos 1 & 2.
    • Hyperion.

  • Mercedes Sosa

    Volver A Los 17

    • Mercedes Sosa; Live in Argentina.
    • Tropical Music.

  • J.J. Cale

    Magnolia

    • Special Edition J J Cale.
    • Mercury.

  • Castaway's Favourite

    • Juliette GrΓ©co

      Il N'y A Plus D'Apres

      • A Portrait Of Juliette Greco.
      • Philips.

  • Ludwig van Beethoven

    Symphony No. 9 in D minor 'Choral'

    Orchestra: A Variety Of Assembled Orchestras and Choirs

    • Bernstein In Berlin.
    • Deutsche Grammophon.

  • Book Choice

    • A La Recherche Du Temps Perdu - Marcel Proust

  • Luxury Choice

    • Flute

Credits

Presenter Sue Lawley
Interviewed Guest John Simpson

Broadcasts

  • Sun 19 May 1991 12:15
    Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 4
  • Fri 24 May 1991 09:05
    Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 4

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