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

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

Ronald Reagan’s presidency: Reagonomics, the Grenada invasion, the Iran-contra scandal and reconciliation with the Soviet. Alistair Cooke's fascinating account of American life.

Ranked #1

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Texas A&M University

Texas A&M University

Not your average university - the Texas A&M does things on a grander scale.This archive edition of Letter from Ameri... Read more

7 Dec 1984

14mins

Ranked #2

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Fred Astaire, 1987

Fred Astaire, 1987

Small in stature, a giant on the screen - an appreciation of the life and work of Fred Astaire.This archive edition of L... Read more

26 Jun 1987

14mins

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Ranked #3

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Christa McAuliffe and the Challenger disaster, 1986

Christa McAuliffe and the Challenger disaster, 1986

Alistair Cooke reflects on the life and death of Christa McAuliffe, the first civilian astronaut who was killed in the s... Read more

31 Jan 1986

13mins

Ranked #4

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Defending Kingsley Amis

Defending Kingsley Amis

Defending Kingsley Amis - and free speech - against some of the top women in American publishing.This archive edition of... Read more

1 Feb 1985

14mins

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Ranked #5

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Rise in drinking age

Rise in drinking age

Raising the drinking age to 21 across the states will help to cut drink-driving deaths, says President Reagan.This archi... Read more

6 Jul 1984

14mins

Ranked #6

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Paul Castellano shot dead

Paul Castellano shot dead

Mafia family head killed in daylight shooting, confirming prejudice about crime and New York's Italian-Americans.This ar... Read more

20 Dec 1985

14mins

Ranked #7

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CIA mines Nicaragua ports

CIA mines Nicaragua ports

President Reagan snubs claims that the CIA mining of Nicaraguan ports has damaged shipping from around the world.This ar... Read more

13 Apr 1984

14mins

Ranked #8

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D-Day anniversary

D-Day anniversary

One-sided remembrance of the 40th anniversary of D-Day reflects President Reagan's chauvinistic view of foreign affairs.... Read more

15 Jun 1984

14mins

Ranked #9

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Invasion of Grenada

Invasion of Grenada

Reagan facing serious questions over decision to invade Grenada, a member of the British Commonwealth.This archive editi... Read more

28 Oct 1983

14mins

Ranked #10

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Yellowstone National Park, 1988

Yellowstone National Park, 1988

Too strange to be believed, the natural phenomena that prompted the founding of the US national parks.This archive editi... Read more

9 Sep 1988

14mins

Ranked #11

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The strong dollar and Lindsay Wellington

The strong dollar and Lindsay Wellington

The falling value of the British pound in comparison to the US dollar, and the death of Lindsay Wellington, the former h... Read more

18 Jan 1985

13mins

Ranked #12

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Budget cuts continue

Budget cuts continue

Reagan's election promises on spending will be overtaken by Congress ready to trim more from proposed budget.This archiv... Read more

11 Jan 1985

14mins

Ranked #13

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Chernobyl nuclear disaster, 1986

Chernobyl nuclear disaster, 1986

Alistair Cooke on the political aftermath of the Chernobyl nuclear accident, differences in its reporting, and what less... Read more

23 May 1986

13mins

Ranked #14

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Oliver North’s role in Iran-Contra, 1987

Oliver North’s role in Iran-Contra, 1987

Colonel Oliver North gives evidence before the congressional select committee about his role in the sale of arms to Iran... Read more

10 Jul 1987

13mins

Ranked #15

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James Mason remembered, 1984

James Mason remembered, 1984

Remembering James Mason, the character actor who wouldn't play the Hollywood game.This archive edition of Letter from Am... Read more

10 Aug 1984

14mins

Ranked #16

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Reagan's Russian broadcast

Reagan's Russian broadcast

Reagan speaks to the Russians, Gorbachev to the Americans, in the first direct broadcasts to each nation.This archive ed... Read more

3 Jan 1986

14mins

Ranked #17

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Achille Lauro hijack

Achille Lauro hijack

Americans seen to condone Israel attack on PLO following hijacking of Achille Lauro cruise ship.This archive edition of ... Read more

11 Oct 1985

12mins

Ranked #18

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Cholesterol discovery wins Nobel prize

Cholesterol discovery wins Nobel prize

University of Texas duo win Nobel prize for their work on cause of cholesterol build-up.This archive edition of Letter f... Read more

18 Oct 1985

13mins

Ranked #19

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Iran Air Flight 655

Iran Air Flight 655

An Iranian airliner carrying 290 civilians is shot down by US missiles over the Persian Gulf, killing all on board.

8 Jul 1988

14mins

Ranked #20

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Misleading headlines

Misleading headlines

Misleading headlines skew findings of support for the President's policies in Central America.This archive edition of Le... Read more

22 Jun 1984

14mins

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