Join Richard as he talks with Four Corners' Sarah Ferguson about his tale of emperors and empresses, crusader knights, floating nuns, mechanical trees, Vikings, Huns, Goths and Khazars, and how he answered endless questions from his history-obsessed son Joe.

The Canberra Writers Festival draws out the unique qualities and values of a city with a strong affinity for writing and reading and builds a strong connection to the community.

Canberra has many vibrant and venerable national institutions especially those devoted to ideas and writing and an educated and creative population.

The Festival will bring together local literary, academic, business, media and political communities along with major cultural institutions.

The theme of the Festival is Power, Passion, Politics, reflecting the city's love affair with learning, knowledge and leadership. There’s a mixture of free and ticketed events as well as events for young and old.