Welcome back to the home of the oxymoron. Evil genius. He asked the newspaper to print his obituary early so he'd enjoy it. That's like hiding at your own funeral. Yeah, it's a big, great gig. I'm Russell Kane. Join me to weigh in on whether the biggest players in history are more evil or genius. Becoming that rich, I'd say that at some level of genius. It also helps

that it's a long time ago, right? It's like the podcast version of telling your kids the ice cream

van plays music when it's out of ice cream. Listen to evil genius on BBC sounds. This is a download

from the BBC. For more information and our terms of use, go to BBC.co.uk slash radio three.

This is BBC Radio 3, broadcasting from London's South Bank Centre.

I'm Samira Ahmed and you're listening to Freethinking.

On tonight's programme, we debate myths of strong leaders in government and on the battlefield.

If you've ever been told of your work, relax, it's not brain surgery.

You can tonight get an insight into the life and death decisions made every day

by a man whose job is just that, neurosurgeon Henry Marsh.

And we join Angela Lansbury back in the UK after 40 years,

flirting with the spirit world in our first night review of Noel Coward's Blythe Spirit.

But first, a look at what makes a great leader.

As a cliche of a strong leader, Vladimir Putin, that hunting, shooting and motorbike riding Russian president, seems hard to beat.

From sending troops and ships to seize control of Crimean military bases and ports

to this morning receiving a standing ovation from Moscow deputies

as he proclaimed a victory for democracy in Crimea's highly controversial referendum on leaving Ukraine.

Thank you.

Dear friends, today we are here about the issue that has vitally important significance, historic significance for all of us.

On the 17th of March, in the Crimea, there was a referendum in full correspondence

of democratic procedures and international legal norms.

More than 82% of the voters took part in the referendum.

...