Letter from America by Alistair Cooke: From Nixon to Carter (1969-1980)

<p>From America’s great hope after Nixon’s election victory, to disillusionment after Watergate through to President Carter’s election. A fascinating social, cultural and political history of American life, through the words of British-American journalist and broadcaster, Alastair Cooke (1908 – 2004).</p>

Chrysler financial crisis deepens

Auto workers call on Reagan's help as jobs are threatened by Chrysler cash crisis.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.

12-26
14:20

Haig joins Cabinet

Nixon's top aide is offered senior post - but the hearings on his fitness to serve could be damaging. The sound quality on this recording is variable/poor.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.

12-19
14:29

John Lennon’s assassination

The shooting of John Lennon on the 8th December 1980 sparks a debate over the need for national gun control law in America.

12-12
13:51

The waiting game

Hostages and the growing Polish crisis will prove to be among Reagan's first presidential headaches.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.

12-05
13:45

Reagan's charm offensive

President-elect Reagan wins over Washington with his charm offensive. The sound quality on this recording is variable/poor.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.

11-28
14:12

Reagan's political honeymoon

President-elect Reagan turns his honeymoon period into a Washington courtship ritual.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.

11-21
13:53

Why the pollsters got it wrong

Humiliation for pollsters who made completely wrong call on the presidential election.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.

11-14
13:42

Ronald Reagan’s victory, 1980

As Ronald Reagan wins the 1980 US presidential election, Alistair Cooke reflects on the causes of Jimmy Carter's downfall.

11-07
13:54

The World Series gets the vote, 1980

The World Series gets the popular vote while the presidential candidates get mean with each other.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.

10-17
14:33

The book-selling business

How the book-selling business creates a bestseller from a book which isn't selling.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.

10-10
13:48

Independents switch to Reagan

Campaign sees Carter's support slipping as independent voters switch to 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.

10-03
15:30

Candidates claim victory in TV debate

Polls will chart Carter's performance in TV debate while the other two candidates both claim victory.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.

09-26
14:22

Small car sales boom

US car makers to concentrate on making smaller cars as sale of thrifty foreign imports boom.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.

09-19
14:21

Candidates consider TV debate

Three-way TV debate for presidential candidates could leave Carter at a disadvantage.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.

09-12
13:51

American know-how

America's lead in the technological revolution has been lost during the past thirty years as Europe and the Far East steam ahead.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.

09-05
13:58

Energy assistance bill

Surprise swing of Republican voting in favour of the cold north over energy assistance bill.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.

08-29
14:04

America's Electoral College

Why size matters when it comes to vote-counting by the US Electoral College.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.

08-22
14:17

Jimmy Carter is nominated for re-election

Edward Kennedy makes the best speech of his career at the Democratic Party conference, after losing his challenge for the party's nomination to incumbent President Jimmy Carter.

08-15
13:52

Covering the 1980 presidential campaign

Cooke looks back at his own coverage of previous Democratic nomination campaigns including Truman and Dewey in 1948; and the current battle between Jimmy Carter and Edward Kennedy.

08-08
13:43

Carter ratings lowest ever

Democrat convention faces disarray over lowest-ever popularity ratings by sitting President Carter.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.

08-01
14:07

David Lau

I had no idea Ronald Reagan was up for the presidency prior to his election to the two terms he was president.

12-15 Reply

David Lau

The only time a president has resigned. Even though a few other probably should have.

12-15 Reply

Rich Berry

annoying sound why wasn't this cleaned up?

10-20 Reply

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