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The People's Post

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The People's Post

By: Dominic Sandbrook
Narrated by: AudioGO Ltd
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About this listen

A 15-part BBC Radio 4 series exploring the origins of the Post Office, how it became a cherished national institution, and how it adapted to globalisation and commercialisation. It’s called Royal Mail but it should be known as the People s Post. Launched in 1516 by Henry VIII, it was intended to support royal communications and bolster intelligence. It was only a rise in literacy, trade and interest that stimulated a demand for a public service, and it wasn’t until the advent of the Penny Black in 1840 that it became affordable to the general public. Over the centuries, the Post Office has become a much-loved social institution, linking people together and extending their vision outward into the wider world. How the people made it their own is a fascinating story that has not been told.

©2012 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd (P)2012 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd Entertainment & Performing Arts

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Lots of little bits to take away and think about our own history. Very much a history of modern Britian and how what started as a spy state could have such massive changes. I only wish it was longer to look at some of the other advances the post service made. Correspondence courses, the OU and magazine subscriptions. Perhaps in The Rest is History podcast?

A beautiful history of the post office

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So enjoyed this Audiobook but couldn’t understand why the music kept interrupting until after I had finished & realised this had been on the radio. Like subtitles it would be great if it could be taken off!

Great audio - fascinating history but why the music?

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Sandbrook’s British history audiobooks, like “Who Dares Wins@ are wonderful. This, on the other hand, is a shambles, and complete waste of time and money. Hokey sound effects, sudden squawking music numbers, and a cast of clunky, unpleasant reader voices made this sound like a dislocated, amateurish, painful radio play.

Avoid. There are plenty of Sandbrook audiobooks far, far better than this poor offering.

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