Letter from America by Alistair Cooke: The Reagan Years (1981-1988)

Dec 09 1988 9k

Letter from America by Alistair Cooke: The Reagan Years (1981-1988) Podcast artwork

Ronald Reagan’s presidency, from Reagonomics and the invasion of Grenada in his first term, to the Iran-contra scandal and reconciliation with Soviet leader Mihail Gorbachev in his second. A fascinating social, cultural and political history of American life, through the words of British-American journalist and broadcaster, Alistair Cooke (1908 – 2004).

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Gorbachev's perilous experiment

Dec 09 1988 14 mins

Misgivings over Gorbachev's liberalisation proposals as observers fear further splits from satellite nations.This archive edition of Letter from America was recorded by one of two listeners, who between them taped and labelled over 650 Letter From America programmes from 1973 to 1989. It was restored by the BBC in 2014.

Yasser Arafat's speech at the UN, 1988

Dec 02 1988 14 mins

Yasser Arafat's speech at the UN, the denial of his visa by US secretary of state George Schultz, and the view that Palestinians are moving towards reconciliation with Israel.

Fears over US deficit

Nov 25 1988 14 mins

The economy will be the first challenge facing the new president when his term starts in January.This archive edition of Letter from America was recorded by one of two listeners, who between them taped and labelled over 650 Letter From America programmes from 1973 to 1989. It was restored by the BBC in 2014.

A dirty campaign

Nov 18 1988 13 mins

Slander and innuendo are nothing new in campaigning - but the rhetoric will soon be erased.This archive edition of Letter from America was recorded by one of two listeners, who between them taped and labelled over 650 Letter From America programmes from 1973 to 1989. It was restored by the BBC in 2014.

The 1988 presidential election

Nov 11 1988 13 mins

An overview of the ballot paper in the 1988 presidential elections, George Bush's "inevitable" victory, and the issues that proved most important for voting Americans.We apologize for the abrupt end to this audio, this occurred when the episode was originally recorded for the archive.

George H W Bush vs Michael Dukakis

Nov 04 1988 27 mins

A review of George H W Bush and Michael Dukakis' presidential campaigns, key values and demographics, and predicted performances before the 1988 elections.

The Bess Myerson trial begins

Oct 28 1988 14 mins

The 1988 trial of Bess Myerson, the former Miss America and head of consumer affairs to New York City, accused of tax fraud and bribing a judge.

Baseball and politics in 1988

Oct 21 1988 13 mins

With the 1988 presidential race and World Series drawing to a close, Alistair Cooke looks at the baseball metaphors used by George H W Bush and Michael Dukakis in their campaigns.

Testing public opinion

Oct 14 1988 13 mins

Quavering Quale affects voters' views on choice for president.This archive edition of Letter from America was recorded by one of two listeners, who between them taped and labelled over 650 Letter From America programmes from 1973 to 1989. It was restored by the BBC in 2014.

1988 televised debates, and Thatcher in 1979

Oct 07 1988 13 mins

The polished nature of the Bush/Dukakis debates, the 'American-style' of Margaret Thatcher's public relations in 1979, and Jimmy Carter's negative review of the 1988 campaign.