1989: The Year That Made Us

Michael Buerk looks at the creation of the sewer system, delving into the archives to reveal how appalling sanitary conditions forced the city of Liverpool to take action. He descends underground to see the first groundbreaking sewer for himself, and hears about how the pioneering concept was built.

At his death in 1953, Stalin was, for many, a living god. After all, did he not defeat the worst of all men, Adolf Hitler? Looking at the three days of agony of the communist leader, we explore an intimate portrayal of the 'man of steel'.

This episode is about the development of London's pioneering transport system in the mid-19th century. With the help of contributor Judith Flanders, Michael Buerk paints a vivid picture of the phenomenal chaos and reek of London streets before Charles Pearson had the literally groundbreaking idea of an underground railway.