Alexander McCall Smith is a prolific and fast writer, known mainly for his best-selling series The Number One Ladies Detective Agency in Botswana and featuring his popular heroine Mama Precious Ramotswe. 

The books have been translated into 46 languages and sold millions worldwide. These and his numerous other books, including the Scotland Street series, have earned him a global reputation, a CBE and in 2024 a knighthood for services to Literature, Academia and Charity.

Journalist and broadcaster Rachel Johnson tells Harry Mount about her competitive upbringing, her imposter syndrome and the collapse of The Lady magazine. 

Amanda Barrie speaking about her new book, I'm Still Here: My 90 Years, at the Oldie Literary Lunch, held at London’s National Liberal Club, on September 9th 2025

Paula Byrne speaking about her new book, Six Weeks by the Sea: The Summer Jane Austen Fell in Love , at the Oldie Literary Lunch, held at London’s National Liberal Club, on September 9th 2025.”

Eleanor Doughty speaking about her new book, Heirs and Graces: A History of the Modern British Aristocracy, at the Oldie Literary Lunch, held at London’s National Liberal Club, on September 9th 2025.

At 93, Antonia Fraser, one of our leading historians, has written her 40th book – The House that Spoke: The History of a Home.

She tells Harry Mount about 70 years of writing, going all the way back to her 1954 debut, King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table. And she talks about her west London house, where she wrote her 1969 bestseller, Mary, Queen of Scots – and her late husband, Harold Pinter, wrote Betrayal in 1978.

Joshua Levine, one of our leading Second World War historians, talks to Harry Mount about the 85th anniversary of the Blitz - which began on September 7 1940.

Levine's book The Secret History of the Blitz led to him advising film director Steve McQueen for his 2024 film Blitz. 

His book Forgotten Voices of Dunkirk inspired Christopher Nolan to make Dunkirk (2017), for which Levine was the historical advisor.

On Radio Oldie, Prince Andrew's biographer, Andrew Lownie, talks to Harry Mount. His new book Entitled - The Rise and Fall of the House of York is a number one bestseller. It reveals how Prince Andrew, the late Queen's favourite, was disgraced by his greed for money and sex.

Fay Maschler, the restaurant critic, tells Harry Mount about 53 years of reviewing restaurants. The Evening Standard critic for 48 years, she is now Tatler's critic. She reveals London's greatest restaurant - and explains why 1987 was the year that changed the British eating landscape for ever.

John Lloyd is a multi-award-winning television and radio producer. He is the creator of Not the Nine O’Clock News, The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, Blackadder,  Spitting Image, QI, The Museum of Curiosity and much more.  In 2011 was awarded a CBE for services to broadcasting.