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

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

BBC Radio 4

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).

368 Episodes

Gorbachev's perilous experiment
12/9/1988
14:02
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
12/2/1988
14:09
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.
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Fears over US deficit
11/25/1988
14:17
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
11/18/1988
13:42
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
11/11/1988
13:52
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
11/4/1988
27:58
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
10/28/1988
14:08
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
10/21/1988
13:44
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
10/14/1988
13:03
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
10/7/1988
13:55
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.

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