Radio Days Book Club

The Rev Dave Tomlinson may be best known for his contributions to the Radio 2 Breakfast Show 'Pause for Thought' section - but they are just the fruit of a life spent reflecting on the big issues of spirituality, how to live our best lives and what role organised religion, if any, can usefully be trying to play in that. A Church of England parish vicar for 19 years, Dave's own spiritual journey started in the Evangelical house church movement of the 70s and later encompassed setting up a church in a pub in south London for people disillusioned with more formal religion. Dave's many books, including 'How to be a Bad Christian and a Better Human Being' have proved inspiring to many and provocative to others, as he continues to refine an ideal of faith built round love and humanity rather than dogma.I spoke to Dave at a live show at Kettering Arts Centre back in April, about his life and spiritual journey. Dave's weekly podcast, The Holy Shed, is available on Spotify, Youtube and all other podcast platforms. 

From the archive.As France attempts to win a third World Cup this month, I thought back to this great interview with Matthew Spiro, telling the inside story of their first two wins, in 1998 and 2018 - a story that illuminates French society and politics, and worlds far beyond the touchline. When France won the World Cup in 1998, it was meant to be the start of a golden age for the team and the country; and the success of the multi-racial squad did, briefly, unite the country. But the 20 years between that victory and the 2018 triumph showed that France needed more than football to bring it together…British journalist and broadcaster Matthew Spiro's "Sacré Bleu: Zidane to Mbappé, a football journey" takes us inside the last 30 years of French football and French society, speaking to eye witnesses including Arsene Wenger, Gerard Houllier and Marcek Desailly. It's a riveting read for anyone with any interest in football or France.Why does France - a country with a patchy football tradition until the 1980s - now export more professional footballers than any other nation? (There are currently more than 100 playing in Europe's big four leagues)? Why do so many of them come from the same underprivileged areas - the suburbs and satellite towns of Paris? Do French football's multi-racial successes show the way forward for French society in general - or merely highlight its ongoing difficulties in other areas? Matthew has covered Les Bleus at major tournaments for the past two decades. He moved to Paris in 2002, and his work has appeared on/in the BBC, UEFA.com, the Irish Times, The Times, the Daily Telegraph, and Canal+.

Andy McGrath, former winner of the William Hill Sports Book of the Year award, has written the first biography of four-times Tour de France champion Tadej Pogacar. As Pogacar begins his defence of the title in Barcelona (and Andy's paperback comes out), Andy explains the unique Slovenian sporting culture that produced him; why it's no surprise that all-time speed records are constantly being broken in cycling; and whether Pogacar can possibly be as nice a man as he seems. In conversation with Duncan Steer. For news of live interview events and future podcasts: radiodaysevents.com.

ITV Tour de France commentator and general polymath Matt Rendell joins me to discuss some things that never make it into our live talk shows. Why is ITV like the social services? Did Matt really sell his house to finance one of his books (and, if so, why?) Was/is Marco Pantani Italy's Princess Diana? How come nobody knows the actual route of this year's Tour de France? Why is Matt currently investigating a non-sporting scandal from the 1980s? And much more! For news of our upcoming live shows (and Pantani screenings), sign up at www.radiodaysevents.com

Lesley-Ann Jones discusses The Stone Age, her biography of the self-styled greatest rock'n'roll band in the world.Lesley-Ann Jones interviewed hundreds of insiders and eye witnesses to create the biography. As a friend of Bill Wyman in the 80s, she was curious to investigate further the emotional chaos the band has left in its wake - as well as to detail how a group of white suburban kids brought the music of black America to British audiences.This is an edited version of a live launch event at the Social, Little Portland Street, London W1,  in July 2022. Lesley-Ann Jones is in conversation with Radio Days Book Club host Duncan Steer.

Kevin Mulrennan has compiled a 700-page encyclopaedia of ITV's 60s pop show Thank Your Lucky Stars. He joins us to recall great lost moments of the Beatles - as well as the stars who burned brightly but briefly.

Baxter Dury joined us at a live event in Chiswick, to discuss his new memoir, Chaise Longue. Now an acclaimed musician in his own right, Baxter recalls a seemingly chaotic 70s and 80s childhood, growing up as the son of pop star and national treasure Ian Dury. Baxter's tales of avoiding school and seeking instead a demi-monde of Dickensian characters and misadventures are at once dark and funny, thanks to their deadpan retelling.

Nick Lowe and Will Birch joined me at a live event at the Seven Dials Club to discuss Cruel to be Kind, Will's biography of Nick. Nick reflects on dealings with Paul McCartney, Johnny Cash, Elvis Costello and, well, Peters and Lee, why 1962 was the most important year in pop and how he hit upon the style used in his acclaimed late-career albums, Will muses on how pub rock led to punk and, having written three acclaimed books on the 70s London scene,  who he might write about next. This is an edited version of the event. 

Alex Kemp discusses his book Here is Greece, the story of a five-year tour, taking in rebel music bars in Athens, octogenarian shepherds in the far-flung outposts and a world of chance and bizarre encounters along the way. For more info on the book (and a free sample): https://worldofkemp.wordpress.com/portfolio/here-is-greece/Alex's Greek music playlist is at this link.

BAFTA-winning actor, comedian and impressionist Julian Dutton was born and raised on a houseboat, moored on the Thames at Chelsea. In a Saturday morning tour de force of social history and showbiz tales, Julian discusses Water Gypsies, his new book on the history of Britain's river-dwellers, from the hardmen of canalmania to post-War bohemians - and throws in a few brilliant impressions - John Le Mesurier, Terry-Thomas and, well, Wallace and Gromit's Peter Sallis as Hitler - along the way.