James Rebanks: The shepherd who tells the stories of ordinary, extraordinary people

James Rebanks: The shepherd who tells the stories of ordinary, extraordinary people

Growing up on a Lake District farm that had been in his family for centuries, James Rebanks always knew his place in the world. School wasn't for him - he felt his teachers looked down on farming and his grandparents worried education might lure him away from the land. By the age of 15, he had left school with just two O-Levels to work full-time on the family farm. But in the evenings, a new world opened up to him as he read through the books on his mum's bookshelves.

Inspired, James began reading everything he could. In his twenties, he went to night school and then got a place at Oxford University where he graduated with a double first in history. Today, James is a bestselling author, telling the stories of the "nobodies" - ordinary people living extraordinary lives, who like him, are deeply rooted in the land. A farmer and a writer, James has managed to carve out a unique space as both a man of letters and man of the soil.

His latest book, The Place of Tides is available now.

Episoder(327)

Michael Palin

Michael Palin

Comedy legend, Sir Michael Palin joins James to discuss his life and incredible career. They talk about the origins or Monty Python and how he became apart of one of the most revolutionary sketch show...

9 Sep 201947min

Timothy Spall

Timothy Spall

Actor Timothy Spall joins James O'Brien this week to discuss his career journey, how he got to where he is today and how he discovered the thrill of performing from an early age. They also discuss his...

2 Sep 201946min

Danny Baker

Danny Baker

In his first long form interview since leaving the BBC, broadcaster Danny Baker is in conversation with James. They discuss the breadth of his 40 year career from leaving school at the age of 14 to es...

5 Aug 20191h

Adam Kay

Adam Kay

Former doctor, turned writer and comedian Adam Kay joins James O'Brien this week. Together they discuss his best selling book, 'This is Going to Hurt' which reflects on his experiences as a junior doc...

29 Jul 201948min

Rory Stewart

Rory Stewart

From being in the running for party leader, to being asked to leave the party in the space of a mere six weeks, Tory Leadership Contender and Politician joins James O'Brien in his first long form inte...

22 Jul 201944min

Chris Moyles

Chris Moyles

Chris Moyles: always the interviewer, never the interviewee, sits down with James O'Brien for a tantalizing look through the keyhole at the life of one of Britain's most infamous broadcasters. Full D...

15 Jul 201955min

Paloma Faith

Paloma Faith

Paloma Faith is known for her voice: but did you know she found it in campaigning? From Maggie Thatcher's poll tax, to encroaching climate change Paloma has striven and struggled against it all. Join ...

8 Jul 201945min

Katherine Ryan

Katherine Ryan

James O'Brien meets the infamous Canadian-Irish comedian writer presenter and actress Katherine Ryan. They discuss her formative years, her unwaivering self-esteem and her journey from Hooters-girl to...

1 Jul 201948min

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