Invisible Hands: 4. The Big Bang
The History Podcast16 Huhti 2025

Invisible Hands: 4. The Big Bang

Thatcher and her capitalist dreamers' next big gamble was a radical shake-up of London’s financial sector. They called it Big Bang. Seemingly overnight, the stuffy old City of London was replaced by a fast-paced world of risk-takers, rule-breakers, and yuppies brandishing mobile phones the size of their head. It was a golden age of capitalism, where fortunes were made at lightning speed and the stakes were just as high.

Nick Leeson was a working-class kid from Watford who arrived at just the right time. By 1995 he was a superstar trader. He was a poster boy for Thatcher’s Britain. Poor kid gets rich. But then something happened that turned him from a hero to a criminal on the run.

Did the very thing that spurred on his success precipitate his downfall? And what did that mean for the Thatcherite revolution. This is a story of the boom and bust of the 80s.

David Dimbleby traces the history of an idea that spans his life. It started on a chicken farm in Sussex, gained traction in the shadows of post-war London and rose to heights of excess in the new champagne bars of the City. It's 2025 and this once radical idea now defines every aspect of life in Britain. An idea that transformed the economy, politics and, ultimately, society itself.

But how did it happen? Who are the little-known people behind it? What did they want? And - as Donald Trump threatens to overturn the global economic system - is the free market here to stay? Or are we entering a new era?

Presenter: David Dimbleby Producer: Jo Barratt Executive Producers and Story Editors: Joe Sykes and Dasha Lisitsina Sound design: Peregrine Andrews Commissioning Editor: Dan Clarke

A Samizdat Audio production for BBC Radio 4

Jaksot(104)

The Fort: 7. In the Zone

The Fort: 7. In the Zone

Precariously positioned on the side of two Apache attack helicopters Dave, Chris, Colin and Gary are flying straight into danger. Apaches are absolutely not supposed to land in the conflict zone, and ...

15 Syys 202514min

The Fort: 6. Call Sign: Ugly

The Fort: 6. Call Sign: Ugly

For Apache helicopter pilots Tom O'Malley and Ed Macy - the mission has changed. Their new objective is to prevent the stricken Lance Corporal Mathew Ford from becoming a prisoner of The Taliban. So t...

14 Syys 202514min

The Fort: 5. The Dirty Dash

The Fort: 5. The Dirty Dash

Overwhelmed by enemy fire, Zulu Company have marshalled their casualties from the "killing ground" and staged a hurried withdrawal.Last to leave, Company Sergeant Major Shep Shepherd describes despera...

11 Syys 202514min

The Fort: 4. The Break-in

The Fort: 4. The Break-in

The Royal Marines Commandos have launched their ground assault on Jugroom Fort.A jagged, v-shaped hole has been blasted into its side, and fresh from a nerve-wracking river crossing, the men of Zulu C...

10 Syys 202514min

The Fort: 3. Killing Ground

The Fort: 3. Killing Ground

The story of Jugroom Fort takes a step back in time to the eve of battle. January 2007. The battle-hardened Royal Marines of Zulu Company assemble ahead of a massive air bombardment of the target, a n...

9 Syys 202514min

The Fort: 2. Everyone Volunteered

The Fort: 2. Everyone Volunteered

The Fort is told solely by current and former members of the Armed Forces. Many are speaking for the first time. A Royal Marines raid on a Taliban stronghold has been met with fierce resistance - leav...

8 Syys 202514min

The Fort: 1. The Plan

The Fort: 1. The Plan

Afghanistan, January 2007. It's a piece of military daring that went down in history: Three Royal Marines and a Royal Engineer hold on to the side of Apache attack helicopters, heading into battle to ...

7 Syys 202514min

The Fort: Trailer

The Fort: Trailer

For the first time, commanders, soldiers and pilots who served in Afghanistan tell their story of the gruelling assault on Jugroom Fort - and an astonishing rescue mission.

5 Syys 20252min

Suosittua kategoriassa Historia

olipa-kerran-otsikko
gogin-ja-janin-maailmanhistoria
mayday-fi
huijarit
mystista
rss-ikiuni
tsunami
konginkangas
totuus-vai-salaliitto
rouva-diktaattori
sotaa-ja-historiaa-podi
rss-kirkon-ihmeellisimmat-tarinat
rss-sattuu-sita-suomessakin
rss-subjektiivinen-todistaja
rss-peter-peter
rss-i-dont-like-mondays-2
historiaa-suomeksi
apinan-vuosi
maailmanpuu
tiedetta-ja-sirkushuveja-vanhojen-aikojen-podcast