Letter from America: From Nixon to Carter (1969-1980)

BBC Radio 4

4.3 (25)
Society & Culture

From America’s great hope after Nixon’s election victory, to disillusionment after Watergate through to President Carter’s election. A fascinating social, cultural and political history of American life, through the words of British-American journalist and broadcaster, Alastair Cooke (1908 – 2004).

12/26/1980

Chrysler financial crisis deepens

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.

14 min
12/19/1980

Haig joins Cabinet

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.

14 min
12/12/1980

John Lennon’s assassination

The shooting of John Lennon on the 8th December 1980 sparks a debate over the need for national gun control law in America.

14 min
12/05/1980

The waiting game

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.

14 min
11/28/1980

Reagan's charm offensive

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.

14 min
11/21/1980

Reagan's political honeymoon

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.

14 min
11/14/1980

Why the pollsters got it wrong

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.

14 min
11/07/1980

Ronald Reagan’s victory, 1980

As Ronald Reagan wins the 1980 US presidential election, Alistair Cooke reflects on the causes of Jimmy Carter's downfall.

14 min

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4.3

out of 5

25 Ratings

Where are they?

08/10/2015

Unsubscriber

It says “Nixon to Carter (1969-1980)” but provides only 50 episodes from 1980.

From America’s great hope after Nixon’s election victory, to disillusionment after Watergate through to President Carter’s election. A fascinating social, cultural and political history of American life, through the words of British-American journalist and broadcaster, Alastair Cooke (1908 – 2004).