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

Labour policy on nuclear weapons could change US-UK alliance, says Weinberger. 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.

Public confidence in the United Nations at its lowest as it loses its ability to adjudicate on international troubles. 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.

Politicians seen to join the 'rush to righteousness' as the anti-drugs crusade takes on a vote-catching twist. 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 stand on air traffic controllers' strike blamed for loss of labour union power which has seen membership fall dramatically. 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.

Despite the 'public knowledge' promised by the constitution, there are times when keeping decisions secret is the best policy. 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.

New York mayor to look at suggestion to house the city's homeless in empty hotel rooms. 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.

Government set to bail out farmers after worst drought for decades devastates crops and livestock. 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.

How to get on with Californian life when the next earthquake could well be the expected Big One. 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 tribute to politician and diplomat Averell Harriman, former US Ambassador, Governor of New York and a leading official in the Roosevelt, Truman and Kennedy administrations

Mrs Reagan's 'Say no to drugs' campaign isn't enough to tackle the growing social problem of addiction. 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.

Never take anything for granted - like why a president's popularity has nothing to do with his policies. 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 how Americans now celebrate Independence Day; and the current debates on immigration policy at the time of the 100th anniversary of the Statue of Liberty.

An expert opinion on why Americans can't sound English - and the English can't sound American. 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 surprise announcement of new Supreme Court appointments could sway judgments on abortion. 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.

Time to stay out of the sun? Special Senate report links ozone loss with increasing skin cancers. 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.

Resurgence of American bookings to European holiday spots as terrorism fears abate. 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 praise of the little-known name behind the thrilling stunts of many big-name movie stars. 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 on the political aftermath of the Chernobyl nuclear accident, differences in its reporting, and what lessons Gorbachev and Reagan can learn from the disaster.

US ethics committee to investigate allegations of improper lobbying by former White House aide Michael Deaver. 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.

Reagan gets thumbs-up from voters through tax cuts - despite national deficit rocketing into hundreds of billions. 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.