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

Gorbachev's perilous experiment

09 Dec 1988

Contributed by Lukas

Misgivings over Gorbachev's liberalisation proposals as observers fear further splits from satellite nations.This archive edition of Letter from Ameri...

Yasser Arafat's speech at the UN, 1988

02 Dec 1988

Contributed by Lukas

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 re...

Fears over US deficit

25 Nov 1988

Contributed by Lukas

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 recor...

A dirty campaign

18 Nov 1988

Contributed by Lukas

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...

The 1988 presidential election

11 Nov 1988

Contributed by Lukas

An overview of the ballot paper in the 1988 presidential elections, George Bush's "inevitable" victory, and the issues that proved most important for ...

George H W Bush vs Michael Dukakis

04 Nov 1988

Contributed by Lukas

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

The Bess Myerson trial begins

28 Oct 1988

Contributed by Lukas

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

21 Oct 1988

Contributed by Lukas

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 Michae...

Testing public opinion

14 Oct 1988

Contributed by Lukas

Quavering Quale affects voters' views on choice for president.This archive edition of Letter from America was recorded by one of two listeners, who be...

1988 televised debates, and Thatcher in 1979

07 Oct 1988

Contributed by Lukas

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

Looking good on TV

30 Sep 1988

Contributed by Lukas

As the presidential candidates debate on TV, political prowess seems to be in the eye of the beholder.This archive edition of Letter from America was ...

Hurricane Gilbert

23 Sep 1988

Contributed by Lukas

The impact of Hurricane Gilbert on Jamaica and Central America, and the 1938 hurricane that destroyed a large part of the forests of New England, as d...

The Democratic outsider

16 Sep 1988

Contributed by Lukas

Jimmy Carter's rise to prominence of in 1976, and Michael Dukakis' struggle to establish a new and attractive identity for himself ahead of the 1988 p...

Yellowstone National Park, 1988

09 Sep 1988

Contributed by Lukas

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 ...

Etiquette for presidential candidates and the heat wave of Summer 1988

02 Sep 1988

Contributed by Lukas

Remembering when presidential candidates only spoke about policy, and when Adlai Stephenson broke the rule. And could the hot summer be the result of ...

Dan Quayle for vice president

26 Aug 1988

Contributed by Lukas

Alistair Cooke reflects on why George H W Bush may have chosen Dan Quayle as vice-presidential candidate, and the constitutional powers of the vice pr...

President Reagan’s final Republican Convention

19 Aug 1988

Contributed by Lukas

President Reagan gives his farewell address at the Republican convention in Kansas. A heat wave, drought and forest fires continue to cause problems a...

Ed Koch, Mayor of New York

12 Aug 1988

Contributed by Lukas

A look at the problems faced by New York's mayor Ed Koch, his weekly interrogation by the public on TV and his attempts to fight drug use and keep New...

Day care and recreation

05 Aug 1988

Contributed by Lukas

As the 1988 election looms closer, day care becomes a prime issue. Alistair Cooke reflects on the unexpected success of the newspaper USA Today, found...

America's polluted waters

29 Jul 1988

Contributed by Lukas

Alistair Cooke reports on the polluted state of America's waters, coastline and lakes, its effect on the wildlife and the reactions of the public.

Democratic National Convention, 1988

22 Jul 1988

Contributed by Lukas

Michael Dukakis is nominated as the Democrat presidential candidate, but divisions within the party are exposed at the 1988 Democratic convention.

Indict and remand

15 Jul 1988

Contributed by Lukas

Alistair Cooke reflects on protection rackets in 1930s Manhattan, the meaning of indict and remand, and the purpose and history of the US Grand Jury.

Iran Air Flight 655

08 Jul 1988

Contributed by Lukas

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

Seeing justice done

01 Jul 1988

Contributed by Lukas

Historic judgment in Iran-Contra legal wrangle is reduced to a series of melodramatic videotape clips.This archive edition of Letter from America was ...

Goodbye to men's clubs

24 Jun 1988

Contributed by Lukas

Writing on the wall for men's clubs as judges rule they infringe personal liberties.This archive edition of Letter from America was recorded by one of...

The Stand in the Schoolhouse Door of 1963

17 Jun 1988

Contributed by Lukas

Cooke recalls the moment when the segregationist George Wallace, Governor of Alabama, attempted to prevent a black student enrolling at the University...

Bush will win it

10 Jun 1988

Contributed by Lukas

George Bush may have to play down his preppy background, but he's still looking like a winner.This archive edition of Letter from America was recorded...

Golf in Russia

03 Jun 1988

Contributed by Lukas

As the West's sport becomes tainted by money-grubbing, the Soviets announce their first golf course.This archive edition of Letter from America was re...

Nancy Reagan's astrologer, 1988

27 May 1988

Contributed by Lukas

Former White House aide Donald Regan makes public the First Lady's intrusion on policy and appointments.This archive edition of Letter from America wa...

Lame duck President Reagan, 1988

20 May 1988

Contributed by Lukas

Considered a lame duck since his farewell State of the Union address in January 1988, Cooke muses on the real power of outgoing President Reagan.

The forgotten William Le Queux

13 May 1988

Contributed by Lukas

On hearing of the death of double agent Kim Philby (1912 -1988), Cooke reflects on the influence of forgotten Edwardian spy writer William Le Queux (1...

Irving Berlin turns 100, 1988

06 May 1988

Contributed by Lukas

As songwriter Irving Berlin turns 100 Alistair Cooke considers why his extraordinary life and unlikely longevity should make us wary of those claiming...

George H W Bush nominated

29 Apr 1988

Contributed by Lukas

Alistair looks at the background of George H W Bush, the new Republican presidential candidate, and who he might face in the upcoming presidential ele...

Stanton Delaplane (1907-1988)

22 Apr 1988

Contributed by Lukas

A tribute to the travel writer and Pulitzer prize-winning columnist renowned for his scoop on the 'ding dong daddy of the D-car line' about a bigamist...

The Augusta National, 1988

15 Apr 1988

Contributed by Lukas

Enjoying a different pace of life at the Augusta National, a Georgia Shangri-La.This archive edition of Letter from America was recorded by one of two...

Correspondents answered

08 Apr 1988

Contributed by Lukas

Replying to listeners who have been unable to pick up on an intended humorous tone.This archive edition of Letter from America was recorded by one of ...

Democrat agony

01 Apr 1988

Contributed by Lukas

Bush a shoe-in for Republicans but Democrat agony continues as Jackson and Dukakis run neck-and-neck.This archive edition of Letter from America was r...

Warnings for Gorbachev

25 Mar 1988

Contributed by Lukas

Misgivings over future of Gorbachev and modernising reforms voiced by commentators.This archive edition of Letter from America was recorded by one of ...

California public health laws

18 Mar 1988

Contributed by Lukas

Alistair Cooke is in California, where farmers and manufacturers are facing a drought and tougher rules on illegal immigrants and public health.

1988 presidential primaries

11 Mar 1988

Contributed by Lukas

The 1988 presidential primaries are underway, the Democrats are ambivalent about their contenders, and California aims to curb developers in Orange Co...

Black Monday remembered

04 Mar 1988

Contributed by Lukas

On the anniversary of the day Roosevelt closed every bank in America, Alistair Cooke remembers Black Monday, the huge stock market crash of 19th Octob...

Serious Money

26 Feb 1988

Contributed by Lukas

London satire fails to entertain the New York audiences.This archive edition of Letter from America was recorded by one of two listeners, who between ...

New Hampshire

19 Feb 1988

Contributed by Lukas

Solidly Republican, the rural state where local issues are decided upon by the locals.This archive edition of Letter from America was recorded by one ...

Caucus system

12 Feb 1988

Contributed by Lukas

What is the caucus system of nominating candidates for public office, and why does everyone believe the lowly Iowa caucus is so important?

McCarran-Walter Act repealed

15 Jan 1988

Contributed by Lukas

Congress repeals embarrassing Act which banned visitors from the US because of their political beliefs.This archive edition of Letter from America was...

Missile treaty questioned

08 Jan 1988

Contributed by Lukas

Reagan could face revolt among his supporters over ratification of the US-Soviet INF Treaty.This archive edition of Letter from America was recorded b...

The Democrat Convention of 1924

23 Dec 1987

Contributed by Lukas

Divisions within the Democrats both current and at Madison Square Garden in 1924, Anthony Kennedy's appointment to the Supreme Court; and Woody Allen'...

Gary Hart confesses

18 Dec 1987

Contributed by Lukas

Republican glee as voters see Senator Hart's confession of affairs as a serious character flaw.This archive edition of Letter from America was recorde...

Gorby mania

13 Dec 1987

Contributed by Lukas

The INF treaty signing – not so much an historical event as a television event; 'Gorby' mania in the US and Europe.

INF Treaty

04 Dec 1987

Contributed by Lukas

A report on the Washington summit for the US and Soviet leaders to sign the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty treaty limiting medium-range nucl...

Thanksgiving 1987

27 Nov 1987

Contributed by Lukas

Thanksgiving Day past and present, a summing-up of current political situation, and the riots of Cuban prisoners threatened with deportation back to C...

Iran-Contra reports

20 Nov 1987

Contributed by Lukas

The reports from the investigating committee into the Iran-Contra scandal are finally to be made public, and the new breed of journalist spawned by Wa...

Black Monday

13 Nov 1987

Contributed by Lukas

As the ripples still rebound following Black Monday, it's time for the British to take seriously the economic uncertainties, and for the US to agree c...

Gorbachev wants economic change

06 Nov 1987

Contributed by Lukas

Fiery speech from President Gorbachev before December summit outlines arms limitation and hopes for a new economy in Russia.This archive edition of Le...

Time for more taxes

30 Oct 1987

Contributed by Lukas

The money men are waiting for President Reagan to take the lead in attempts to stabilise the rocky economy.This archive edition of Letter from America...

Black Monday 1987, Black Tuesday 1929

23 Oct 1987

Contributed by Lukas

What caused the global stock market to crash on 19th October 1987, how are ordinary people affected, and how does it compare with the Wall Street Cras...

Peace prize for Sanchez

16 Oct 1987

Contributed by Lukas

Peace prize award to Costa Rican president is a slap in the face for Contra-supporting Reagan.This archive edition of Letter from America was recorded...

Off the hook?

09 Oct 1987

Contributed by Lukas

A question of intelligence - the definition which just might prove that providing assistance to the Contras broke no US law.This archive edition of Le...

Oliver North’s diminished popularity

02 Oct 1987

Contributed by Lukas

Three months after admitting his role in the Iran-Contra affair, Alistair Cooke reflects on Colonel Oliver North's brief moment as a popular hero to a...

Robert Bork’s Supreme Court nomination

18 Sep 1987

Contributed by Lukas

President Reagan's nomination of conservative Judge Robert Bork to the Supreme Court, the highest power in the US, has alarmed liberals and heartened ...

Papal visit, September 1987

11 Sep 1987

Contributed by Lukas

Papal visit crosses the entire continent to face all manner of religious problems from some 52 million US Catholics. The sound quality on this recordi...

The meaning of Labor Day

04 Sep 1987

Contributed by Lukas

Alistair Cooke looks at the origins of Labor Day established in 1894, the diminishing role of trades unions and a cultural change in employment incent...

Pat Schroeder pitches in

28 Aug 1987

Contributed by Lukas

The woman who coined the 'Teflon President' nickname throws her hat into the Democrat ring.This archive edition of Letter from America was recorded by...

Anniversary mania

21 Aug 1987

Contributed by Lukas

In the dog days of summer, even the Seven Dwarfs get to celebrate an anniversary.This archive edition of Letter from America was recorded by one of tw...

What's in a catchphrase?

14 Aug 1987

Contributed by Lukas

President Reagan decides to stick with the old catchphrase about where the buck stops - to everyone's relief.This archive edition of Letter from Ameri...

Inflation rising again

07 Aug 1987

Contributed by Lukas

Thatcher refuses to back Reagan over US naval involvement in the Persian Gulf as oil price rises boost inflation. The sound quality on this recording ...

Forget the smoking gun

31 Jul 1987

Contributed by Lukas

The hearings have been led astray by the red herring of a 'smoking gun' - it's the constitution which has been mortally wounded.This archive edition o...

UN unanimous on Iran-Iraq

24 Jul 1987

Contributed by Lukas

Russians back out of unanimous United Nations vote over Iran-Iraq conflict.This archive edition of Letter from America was recorded by one of two list...

The national anthem, 1986

18 Jul 1987

Contributed by Lukas

America's national anthem was chosen just over 50 years ago - is it time to salute to a new tune?This archive edition of Letter from America was recor...

An overnight hero

17 Jul 1987

Contributed by Lukas

The Iran-Contra hearing's main witness becomes an unlikely hero to tens of thousands of Americans.This archive edition of Letter from America was reco...

Oliver North’s role in Iran-Contra, 1987

10 Jul 1987

Contributed by Lukas

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 ...

A surfeit of scandal

03 Jul 1987

Contributed by Lukas

The James Bond-style story emerging from the Iran-Contra hearings may be too much to believe.This archive edition of Letter from America was recorded ...

Fred Astaire, 1987

26 Jun 1987

Contributed by Lukas

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 recorde...

2000th Edition

18 Jun 1987

Contributed by Lukas

Health scares, ozone damage and the Americans' fear of dying are reflected on by Alistair Cooke in the 2000th edition of the programme.

Alan Greenspan

12 Jun 1987

Contributed by Lukas

The quiet economist who is about to become the central banker of the world.This archive edition of Letter from America was recorded by one of two list...

Election envy

05 Jun 1987

Contributed by Lukas

No million-dollar campaigns, no shocking TV ads, no buttons or bows. No wonder Americans envy the British election system.This archive edition of Lett...

The return of Richard Nixon, 1987

18 May 1987

Contributed by Lukas

The re-emergence of Richard Nixon into public life after Watergate, and the dubious behaviour of some officials within the current Reagan administrati...

In the money

08 May 1987

Contributed by Lukas

From horse racing through gold and tennis to making movies, the big money continues to grow and grow.This archive edition of Letter from America was r...

Garbage disposal

01 May 1987

Contributed by Lukas

Rethink needed on rubbish disposal as landfill solution proves to be polluting water resources.This archive edition of Letter from America was recorde...

Ethics in government

24 Apr 1987

Contributed by Lukas

As former White House aide Michael Deaver's trial begins, a look at how widespread is corruption in government.This archive edition of Letter from Ame...

Playing nuclear chess

17 Apr 1987

Contributed by Lukas

Secretary of State Shultz returns from arms limitation talks which have the ring of a top-notch game of political chess.This archive edition of Letter...

US-Canada relations sour

10 Apr 1987

Contributed by Lukas

President Reagan visits the US's big neighbour to the north while anger rages over America's production of acid rain.This archive edition of Letter fr...

Surveillance and espionage in the Cold War

03 Apr 1987

Contributed by Lukas

The case of US marine Clayton Lonetree accused of espionage in Moscow reminds Cooke of how electronic surveillance was feared at the founding of the U...

Farewell to stereotypes

27 Mar 1987

Contributed by Lukas

Gorbachev's new era of glasnost could foster better Soviet-US understanding. The sound quality on this recording is variable/poor.This archive edition...

Presidential press conferences

20 Mar 1987

Contributed by Lukas

Beleaguered Reagan holds his first press conference for months on the thorny subject of Iran-Contra. The sound quality on this recording is variable/p...

Reagan and the Iran-Contra scandal

06 Mar 1987

Contributed by Lukas

Has President Reagan redeemed himself in the eyes of the public after taking responsibility for the arms for hostages deal made with Iran?

Economic variations

09 Jan 1987

Contributed by Lukas

Western economies are heading for another crash, warns economics professor Kenneth Galbraith - but not everyone agrees that the good times are too goo...

Dairy buy-out

02 Jan 1987

Contributed by Lukas

Way of life ends as dairy farmers take up federal buy-out to cut excess milk production.This archive edition of Letter from America was recorded by on...

Presidential memory loss

26 Dec 1986

Contributed by Lukas

A problem solved - perhaps the 76-year-old president is suffering from short-term memory loss.This archive edition of Letter from America was recorded...

Mayor Clint Eastwood

19 Dec 1986

Contributed by Lukas

Citizen Clint - the Carmel mayor who has not yet resorted to a tough-guy act.This archive edition of Letter from America was recorded by one of two li...

Voters believe Reagan lied, December 1986

12 Dec 1986

Contributed by Lukas

Reagan describes press as 'sharks' while polls show Americans changing attitudes towards White House.This archive edition of Letter from America was r...

The credibility gap

05 Dec 1986

Contributed by Lukas

As closed Senate meetings look at covert activities, it's time to work to avoid a crippled presidency. The sound quality on this recording is variable...

An unhappy Thanksgiving

28 Nov 1986

Contributed by Lukas

No mention of politics in the president's Thanksgiving address - despite it being the main item on most news menus.This archive edition of Letter from...

The Iran-Contra scandal revealed, 1986

21 Nov 1986

Contributed by Lukas

America reacts to revelations of a US arms for hostages deal with Iran. Arbitrageur Ivan Boesky admits insider trading on Wall Street and is fined $10...

Teflon President on sticky ground

14 Nov 1986

Contributed by Lukas

Sharp criticism from both sides as president comes clean about arms deal to Iran amid hostage negotiations.This archive edition of Letter from America...

Democrats take Senate

07 Nov 1986

Contributed by Lukas

Reagan may get a bumpy ride in his last two years as Senate goes to the Democrats in off-year elections.This archive edition of Letter from America wa...

A Boston wake

31 Oct 1986

Contributed by Lukas

Exuberant in the face of defeat, the Boston Red Sox lose the World Series but hold a splendid wake.This archive edition of Letter from America was rec...

James McGill Buchanan

24 Oct 1986

Contributed by Lukas

Politicians - and the rest of us - work only out of self-interest, says Nobel prize-winning economist.This archive edition of Letter from America was ...

Reykjavik Summit, October 1986

17 Oct 1986

Contributed by Lukas

President Reagan and Mikhail Gorbachev's disarmament summit in Reykjavik ends in failure after Reagan's refusal to abandon the Strategic Defence Initi...

The Third Man

10 Oct 1986

Contributed by Lukas

Remembering three great men who resigned high office on points of principle.This archive edition of Letter from America was recorded by one of two lis...