Festival organisers have pulled out all the stops this year to bring a fantastic selection of authors to the city. Always popular, these events once again have a strong political feel to them.

Many are thought-provoking and controversial, which will no doubt give way to heated debates and discussions between authors and audiences.

Kicking off the political books is Britain's longest continuous-serving Chancellor, Gordon Brown, who is giving a frank and wide-ranging interview about his professional and personal life.

BBC presenter and political commentator Andrew Marr discusses the history of modern Britain and David Dimbleby takes a look at the buildings that have shaped our country.

For those not politically inclined there is a healthy dose of comedy as Vic Reeves sheds light on his early life as Jim Moir and Victoria Wood talks about the inspiration behind her Second World War drama Housewife 49, based on the University of Sussex's voluntary Mass Observation Archive of the Thirties and Forties.

Legendary actor Leslie Phillips also drops in for a chat about his life on the silver screen, both as a comic talent in the hugely popular Doctor shows and early Carry On films, and more recently as a serious BAFTAnominated actor.

Programmer Liam Browne says: "We have tried to feature books which are distinctive and often unique to give the festival its identity.

"It's fantastic there is such interest. People do feel they get a certain type of information through these events which they don't through normal media outlets. They also get the chance to get involved and ask questions.

"These events are partly about being informed, education and discovery but they are also about laughter, being provoked and being amazed."

One of Liam's main aims has been to bring in as diverse a selection of authors for discussion and debate as possible.

He adds: "I am really keen on On the Shelf.

It's a one-off event exploring writers' relationships with libraries and the research they do there. It's something they don't normally talk about and it will be great to hear how they use it and why it's important to them."

As well as the big names there are many others offering everything from poignant tales of addiction and madness to laugh out loud anecdotes.

SA'ADI YOUSEF,
Pavilion Theatre, Brighton Dome, Tues, May 8
He has long been acknowledged as Iraq's foremost living poet but Sa'adi Yousef was forced to flee his country in 1978 when Saddam Hussein assumed absolute power. His poems describe the heroism and perseverance in everyday life of his homeland and offer a rare window on contemporary Iraq.
Starts: 8.30pm Tickets: £7.50

HALF LIFE: A JOURNEY TO CHERNOBYL,
Pavilion Theatre, Brighton Dome, Mon, May 21
Based on Mario Petrucci's poem this documentary tells the story of the people who dealt with the 1986 Chernobyl disaster when a nuclear reactor exploded, sending a radiation cloud over the Ukraine. Brighton-based Filmmaker Phil Grabsky and atomictv founder David Bickerstaff join Petrucci for a debate on this controversial issue.
Starts: 7pm Tickets: £7.50

PATSY PALMER AND WILLIAM LEITH,
Sallis Benney Theatre, Sun, May 13
Patsy Palmer was catapulted into a celebrity lifestyle when she landed the part of Bianca in Eastenders. But drug and alcohol abuse took its toll. She is joined by journalist and author William Leith for an insight into living with and conquering addiction.
Starts: 7.30pm Tickets: £7.50

ON THE SHELF - A MODERN LOVE AFFAIR WITH LIBRARIES,
Jubilee Library, Sat, May 19
The impressive Jubilee Library is the perfect setting for this discussion about what modern libraries represent in society.

Three novelists - Lionel Shriver, Rupert Thomson and Sasha Dugdale discuss what libraries mean to them as writers, scholars and 21st-century citizens.
Starts: 7.30pm Tickets: £7.50

ALEXANDER MASTERS AND CLARE ALLAN,
Pavilion Theatre, Brighton Dome, Wed, May 9
Alexander Masters' novel Stuart: A Life Backwards is a compelling examination of homelessness and psychological breakdown. Claire Allan's book Poppy Shakespeare offers an arresting account of madness. Together they host a debate about sanity and insanity.
Starts: 8.30pm Tickets: 7.50

THE CITY READS,
Corn Exchange, Brighton Dome, Sun, May 20
Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier has been a firm favourite with readers for more than seven decades. In celebration of du Maurier's centenary year author Sally Beauman, broadcaster and critic Sarah Dunant and renowned du Maurier scholar Helen Taylor come together for a timely critique of this 20th-century classic.
Starts: 7.30pm Tickets: £7.50
Sponsored by Hotel Du Vin and Bistro

BERNARD-HENRI LEVY: AMERICAN VERTIGO,
Corn Exchange, Thu, May 24
Omnipresent French philosopher and TV personality Bernard-Henri Levy embarks on a philosophical road trip through modern America, stopping at everything from brothels to prisons and Amish enclaves. Come and listen to his forthright views on American democracy.
Starts: 7.30pm Tickets: £7.50
Supported by The Open University

DAVE EGGERS AND VALENTINO ACHAK DENG,
Corn Exhange, Brighton Dome, Sat, May 26
A double bill of authors whose books delve into the history of wartorn Sudan. Pulitzer-nominated author Dave Eggers talks about his latest novel which goes to the heart of the Sudanese crisis. Valentino Achak Deng discusses his improbable flight from the Sudan to the US and the harsh realities of being a refugee.
Starts: 7pm Tickets: £7.50

MATTHEW ANDREWS,
Official Brighton Festival photographer Matthew Andrews is holding an exhibition of his work, from images of large-scale performance to intimate portraits of the artists, musicians and writers. Founders Room, Brighton Dome. Open during performance times and to Concert Hall ticket holders only throughout the festival. Free.