The Shakespeare First Folio was published 400 years ago. 

In this interview recorded in 2003 the Shakespeare scholar  Sir Stanley Wells talks to David Freeman about Shakespeare the man and Shakespeare the writer.

Russian history is all too relevant. Ellen Apsten tells David Freeman about the second novel in her series telling the stories of the powerful Russian women who lived remarkable lives in the 18th century.

The Tsarina's Daughter is about Elizabeth the beautiful daughter of Peter the Great and Catherine. This is the couple that Putin has studied and have influenced his world view.