From America’s great hope after Nixon’s election victory, to disillusionment after Watergate through to President Carter’s election. Alistair Cooke's account of American life.
Auto workers call on Reagan's help as jobs are threatened by Chrysler cash 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.
Nixon's top aide is offered senior post - but the hearings on his fitness to serve could be damaging. 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 shooting of John Lennon on the 8th December 1980 sparks a debate over the need for national gun control law in America.
Hostages and the growing Polish crisis will prove to be among Reagan's first presidential headaches. 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-elect Reagan wins over Washington with his charm offensive. 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.
President-elect Reagan turns his honeymoon period into a Washington courtship ritual. 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.
Humiliation for pollsters who made completely wrong call on the presidential election. 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 Ronald Reagan wins the 1980 US presidential election, Alistair Cooke reflects on the causes of Jimmy Carter's downfall.
The World Series gets the popular vote while the presidential candidates get mean with each other. 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 the book-selling business creates a bestseller from a book which isn't selling. 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.
Campaign sees Carter's support slipping as independent voters switch to Reagan. 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.
Polls will chart Carter's performance in TV debate while the other two candidates both claim victory. 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 car makers to concentrate on making smaller cars as sale of thrifty foreign imports boom. 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-way TV debate for presidential candidates could leave Carter at a disadvantage. 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 lead in the technological revolution has been lost during the past thirty years as Europe and the Far East steam ahead. 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.
Surprise swing of Republican voting in favour of the cold north over energy assistance bill. 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.
Why size matters when it comes to vote-counting by the US Electoral College. 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.
Edward Kennedy makes the best speech of his career at the Democratic Party conference, after losing his challenge for the party's nomination to incumbent President Jimmy Carter.
Cooke looks back at his own coverage of previous Democratic nomination campaigns including Truman and Dewey in 1948; and the current battle between Jimmy Carter and Edward Kennedy.
Democrat convention faces disarray over lowest-ever popularity ratings by sitting President Carter. 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.
Ford loses out to Bush as running mate for Reagan in race for the White House. 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.
Republican convention endorses the nomination of 70-year-old Ronald Reagan as its presidential candidate. 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.
Ruling over whether abortions should be state-funded is likely to spark further equal rights amendments. 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 reflects on the wide-ranging functions of the US Supreme Court which has ultimate jurisdiction in America and takes its authority from the US Constitution.
As the recession begins to bite, even Hollywood is facing the prospect of rising unemployment. 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.
Unusual technique of Japanese champion Isao Aoki gives hope to millions of golfing duffers. 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 Carter's flying visits to crisis-torn areas seen only as political and fail to boost his standing. 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.
For once, the Republican party is solidly united for one candidate while the Democrats lose backing for both Carter and Kennedy. 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 1950s flood of Puerto Ricans to New York should act as a warning over the new arrivals from Cuba. 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.
Mount St Helens eruption blights farming across north and west while the southern state of Florida erupts into race riots over Cuban refugee influx. 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.
Massive slump in US-made car sales signals recession is biting. 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.
Recession timing bad for Carter's hopes of a second term. 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.
Point of principle lay behind resignation of Secretary of State Cyrus Vance following secrecy over hostage rescue attempt. 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 will President Carter's failed attempt to rescue the Americans being held hostage by Iran affect the forthcoming election?
Senator Kennedy talks tough as he faces last major showdown in the Democrats' primaries. 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.
Bargaining details behind the transport strike which has left New York train-free for days. 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.
Bid to curb power of the party bosses led to extension of primary elections - with the result that this year's presidential race faces 38 primaries. 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.
Surprise at Senator Kennedy's landslide win at the New York Democrat primary. 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.
Why the Illinois 'beauty contest' is so important to those aiming for the White House in a presidential election year. 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 Carter not suffering primary defeats, despite fears over raging inflation. The sound quality on this recording is variable/poor. . Programme recording incomplete. 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 foreign policy wobble as US cites 'mistake' on voting intentions over Israel. 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.
Iran refuses negotiation attempt over US hostages the country is holding. 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.