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.

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.

Gorbachev's perilous experiment

Yasser Arafat

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.

Yasser Arafat's speech at the UN, 1988

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.

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.

Fears over US deficit

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.

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.

A dirty campaign

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.

The 1988  presidential election

George H W Bush

Michael Dukakis

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

George H W Bush vs Michael Dukakis

Bess Myerson

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.

The Bess Myerson trial begins

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.

Baseball and politics in 1988

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.

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.

Testing public opinion

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.

1988 televised debates, and Thatcher in 1979

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.

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

Not your average university - the Texas A&amp;M does things on a grander scale.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.

Not your average university - the Texas A&amp;M does things on a grander scale. 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.

Texas A&M University

Fred Astaire

Small in stature, a giant on the screen - an appreciation of the life and work of Fred Astaire.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.

Small in stature, a giant on the screen - an appreciation of the life and work of Fred Astaire. 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.

Fred Astaire, 1987

Christa McAuliffe

Alistair Cooke reflects on the life and death of Christa McAuliffe, the first civilian astronaut who was killed in the space shuttle Challenger disaster on 28th January 1986.

Christa McAuliffe and the Challenger disaster, 1986

Kingsley Amis

Defending Kingsley Amis - and free speech - against some of the top women in American publishing.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.

Defending Kingsley Amis - and free speech - against some of the top women in American publishing. 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.

Defending Kingsley Amis

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

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

Rise in drinking age

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

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

Paul Castellano shot dead

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

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

CIA mines Nicaragua ports

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

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

D-Day anniversary

Reagan facing serious questions over decision to invade Grenada, a member of the British Commonwealth.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.

Reagan facing serious questions over decision to invade Grenada, a member of the British Commonwealth. 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.

Invasion of Grenada

Too strange to be believed, the natural phenomena that prompted the founding of the US national parks.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.

Too strange to be believed, the natural phenomena that prompted the founding of the US national parks. 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.

Yellowstone National Park, 1988

Lindsay Wellington

The falling value of the British pound in comparison to the US dollar, and the death of Lindsay Wellington, the former head of the BBC in North America.

The strong dollar and Lindsay Wellington

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

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

Budget cuts continue

Alistair Cooke on the political aftermath of the Chernobyl nuclear accident, differences in its reporting, and what lessons Gorbachev and Reagan can learn from the disaster.

Chernobyl nuclear disaster, 1986

Oliver North

Colonel Oliver North gives evidence before the congressional select committee about his role in the sale of arms to Iran, the profits of which funded the Contras in Nicaragua.

Oliver North’s role in Iran-Contra, 1987

James Mason

Remembering James Mason, the character actor who wouldn't play the Hollywood game.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.

Remembering James Mason, the character actor who wouldn't play the Hollywood game. 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.

James Mason remembered, 1984

Reagan speaks to the Russians, Gorbachev to the Americans, in the first direct broadcasts to each nation.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.

Reagan speaks to the Russians, Gorbachev to the Americans, in the first direct broadcasts to each nation. 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.

Reagan's Russian broadcast

Americans seen to condone Israel attack on PLO following hijacking of Achille Lauro cruise ship.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.

Americans seen to condone Israel attack on PLO following hijacking of Achille Lauro cruise ship. 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.

Achille Lauro hijack

University of Texas duo win Nobel prize for their work on cause of cholesterol build-up.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.

University of Texas duo win Nobel prize for their work on cause of cholesterol build-up. 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.

Cholesterol discovery wins Nobel prize

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

Iran Air Flight 655

Misleading headlines skew findings of support for the President's policies in Central America.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.

Misleading headlines skew findings of support for the President's policies in Central America. 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.

Misleading headlines

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