Main content

Neil Oliver & Neil Forsyth

Books worth reading chosen by TV historian Neil Oliver and TV writer Neil Forsyth

Two Scottish Neils choose the books they love. Neil Oliver the TV archeologist from Coast, A History of Scotland & Rise of the Clans chooses a nature book The Glorious Life of the Oak by John Lewis-Stempel. As the title suggests, it's a loving tribute to the tree that is inextricably bound up with the history of the British isles. Neil Oliver says he likes to read nature writing these days as a way to escape the uncertainty and unrest of the world.
Neil Forsyth wrote 大象传媒2's recent comedy drama Guilt as well as Bob Servant and Eric, Ernie & Me. His choice of book is Stuart A Life Backwards by Alexander Masters, the biography of a homeless drug addict from Cambridge. It's a book that stays with you, he says, and it's written with unflinching honesty.
Harriett chooses Indemnity Only, a female PI led crime fiction story set in Chicago. Its author Sara Paretsky has been described as the Raymond Chandler of the female private eye novel.
Have you read any of them? Let us know what you think of the books on instagram @agoodreadbbc

THE GLORIOUS LIFE OF THE OAK by JOHN LEWIS STEMPEL
STUART A LIFE BACKWARDS by ALEXANDER MASTERS
INDEMNITY ONLY by SARA PARETSKY

Producer: Maggie Ayre

Available now

28 minutes

Last on

Fri 6 Mar 2020 23:00

Broadcasts

  • Tue 3 Mar 2020 16:30
  • Fri 6 Mar 2020 23:00

Books and Authors Podcast

Books and Authors Podcast

Open Book for author interviews and A Good Read for recommended reads

Listen now to books on 大象传媒 Sounds

Listen now to books on 大象传媒 Sounds

Escape with books & stories

Opening Lines

Opening Lines

John Yorke unpacks the themes behind the stories in Radio 4's weekend afternoon dramas.

Books

Celebrating reading and the 100 novels that have shaped our world.

How many of these 100 Novels have you read?

How many of these 100 Novels have you read?

After a passionate debate, our panel has come up with this surprising literary selection.