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

Michael Dukakis is nominated as the Democrat presidential candidate, but divisions within the party are exposed at the 1988 Democratic convention.

Alistair Cooke reflects on protection rackets in 1930s Manhattan, the meaning of indict and remand, and the purpose and history of the US Grand Jury.

An Iranian airliner carrying 290 civilians is shot down by US missiles over the Persian Gulf, killing all on board.

Historic judgment in Iran-Contra legal wrangle is reduced to a series of melodramatic videotape clips. 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.

Writing on the wall for men's clubs as judges rule they infringe personal liberties. 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.

Cooke recalls the moment when the segregationist George Wallace, Governor of Alabama, attempted to prevent a black student enrolling at the University of Alabama in 1963.

George Bush may have to play down his preppy background, but he's still looking like a winner. 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 the West's sport becomes tainted by money-grubbing, the Soviets announce their first golf course. 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.

Former White House aide Donald Regan makes public the First Lady's intrusion on policy and appointments. 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.

Considered a lame duck since his farewell State of the Union address in January 1988, Cooke muses on the real power of outgoing President Reagan.

On hearing of the death of double agent Kim Philby (1912 -1988), Cooke reflects on the influence of forgotten Edwardian spy writer William Le Queux (1864-1927).

As songwriter Irving Berlin turns 100 Alistair Cooke considers why his extraordinary life and unlikely longevity should make us wary of those claiming to have the secret of health.

Alistair looks at the background of George H W Bush, the new Republican presidential candidate, and who he might face in the upcoming presidential elections.

A tribute to the travel writer and Pulitzer prize-winning columnist renowned for his scoop on the 'ding dong daddy of the D-car line' about a bigamist cable car conductor.

Enjoying a different pace of life at the Augusta National, a Georgia Shangri-La. 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.

Replying to listeners who have been unable to pick up on an intended humorous tone. 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.

Bush a shoe-in for Republicans but Democrat agony continues as Jackson and Dukakis run neck-and-neck. 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.

Misgivings over future of Gorbachev and modernising reforms voiced by commentators. 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 is in California, where farmers and manufacturers are facing a drought and tougher rules on illegal immigrants and public health.

The 1988 presidential primaries are underway, the Democrats are ambivalent about their contenders, and California aims to curb developers in Orange County.