Letter From America By Alistair Cooke: The Reagan Years (1981-1988)

Papal visit crosses the entire continent to face all manner of religious problems from some 52 million US Catholics. 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.

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

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 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.

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 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 decides to stick with the old catchphrase about where the buck stops - to everyone's relief. 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.

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 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.

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 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.

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 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.

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 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 Iran-Contra hearing's main witness becomes an unlikely hero to tens of thousands of 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.

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.

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 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.

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

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 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.

No million-dollar campaigns, no shocking TV ads, no buttons or bows. No wonder Americans envy the British election system. 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 re-emergence of Richard Nixon into public life after Watergate, and the dubious behaviour of some officials within the current Reagan administration.

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 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.

Rethink needed on rubbish disposal as landfill solution proves to be polluting water resources. 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.

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 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.