Transatlantic price-fixing between major airlines put Laker out of business claims law suit.

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. Published on November 26, 1982.

Airline cartel claim

Intelligent computers - looking to a future of seriously smart machines.

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. Published on April 8, 1983.

Intelligent computers

President Reagan signs new social security bill despite his original claims of harder cuts.

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. Published on April 22, 1983.

Slimmer social security

Reagan faced with Catholic anti-nuclear vote after bishops call for ban. 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. Published on May 27, 1983.

Bishops call for nuclear ban

Paul Volcker, head of the Federal Reserve, and the second most important man in the US. 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. Published on June 24, 1983.

Paul Volcker, head of the Fed

Reagan's popularity rating could be hit by criminal investigation into who stole Carter's briefing papers.

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. Published on July 8, 1983.

Briefing-gate to be investigated

Senator Sam Ervin becomes new opponent in ongoing fight for Equal Rights Amendment. 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. Published on August 5, 1983.

Equal rights crusade goes on

Old soldier wanted to be buried where his band of brothers met up with the Russians in 1945 - when they were our allies.



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. Published on December 2, 1983.

Joe Polowsky's funeral, 1983

The Reverend Jesse Jackson meets Fidel Castro in Cuba and negotiates the release of 22 US prisoners from Cuban jails, much to the embarrassment of the Reagan administration.   Published on June 29, 1984.

Jesse Jackson in Cuba

In the aftermath of Indira Gandhi's assassination, Cooke looks at the increased personal security for public figures over the years and the role of bodyguards. Published on November 2, 1984.

Bodyguards and personal security

Letter from America: the Reagan years (1981-1988)

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 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)

Letter from America 81-88

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