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

Western Europe - in the direct line of contamination - clamours for more information about Ukraine nuclear power plant accident.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 aftermath of the US air raid on Libya of 15th April 1986, and the demands of pianist Vladimir Horowitz during his first visit to the USSR.

Britain is the only Western European country to back US air strikes against terrorism headquarters in Libya.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.

When religion clashes with real-life fixtures, which wins? Does watching violent television or film lead to real acts of violence?

After US-Libya stand-off, the threat of terrorism - aided by low fuel prices at home - see American travellers stick to their own continent.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.

Political storm follows naval battle between US and Libya in Gulf of Sidra.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 reconsider that smug, cliched view of the cultured city of Los Angeles.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 battle for market share of intercontinental air travel leaves major players in financial 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.

Homes and crops wiped out after massive flooding leaves northern California under water.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.

Watching people power overthrow a dictator - and the new CNN news network showed us how it happened.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 statement about 'fraud on both sides' of Philippines election seen as huge blunder which could have left opposition to Marcos in a dangerous position.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.

US queries organisation of snap election called by Philippines dictatorial President Marcos.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.

Which hand holds the US purse strings – is it the president's, or that of Congress?

Alistair Cooke reflects on the life and death of Christa McAuliffe, the first civilian astronaut who was killed in the space shuttle Challenger disaster on 28th January 1986.

International debt is threatening the stability of the world economy, warns MIT expert.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.

Three years after it became law, a national holiday to celebrate the civil rights' leader is observed across the US.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.

Gaddafi's public support of airport terrorists prompts US into imposing sanctions against Libya.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 speaks to the Russians, Gorbachev to the Americans, in the first direct broadcasts to each nation.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.

Mafia family head killed in daylight shooting, confirming prejudice about crime and New York's Italian-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.

You may think that today's news is fresh, but check the headlines and you'll see that some things just don't change.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.