Alistair Cooke wonders what makes people favour athletic prowess over academic skill. Alistair Cooke examines how congressmen secure re-appointments during an election year.
An anniversary gets Alistair Cooke out from a sticky broadcasting situation. Alistair Cooke examines why it is so difficult to establish democracy in Iraq. In light of new concerns about healthy eating, Alistair Cooke reflects on Thanksgiving.
Alistair Cooke's Letter from America archive released online - Telegraph
Alistair Cooke examines how casualty numbers influences the public's appetite for war. Alistair Cooke celebrates the architectural achievements of Stanford White. Forty years on, Alistair Cooke examines the effect of destroying the Pennsylvania Station. Alistair Cooke examines the Pledge of Allegiance and its role in a secular society.
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Alistair Cooke muses on curious linguistic differences between America and England. Alistair Cooke contemplates Arnold Schwarzenegger's role as governor. Alistair Cooke asks why it is costing so much to rebuild Iraq. Whilst waiting for hurricane Isabel, Alistair Cooke tells a few tales.
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Alistair Cooke celebrates the life of golf commentator Henry Longhurst. Alistair Cooke contrasts the "crisis" in the tennis world with the troubles in Iraq. Alistair Cooke muses on Wimbledon's ability to reconcile historic tradition and modernity.
Jenny Abramsky, director of BBC radio and music, said Cooke's letters were a "unique legacy" which had "stimulated and entertained millions". His description of the small pantry passageway in San Francisco brought home the horror of Kennedy's death in a personal human way that marked all his letters.
We are very sorry he has decided to retire but are grateful for all the years he has devoted to the BBC," she said. In an article to mark his 95th birthday last year, Cooke's biographer Nick Clarke revealed that the veteran broadcaster now rarely emerges from his 15th floor Manhattan apartment.
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But despite his physical frailty Clarke said Cooke's enthusiasm for his work "has remained undiminished", adding, "he can still draw on that vast memory bank for the characters and stories that enliven his tasks". Since Letter from America began, Cooke has presented 2, shows, making up more than hours of broadcasting time.
In an address to the Royal Television Society in , Cooke revealed that the idea for the show originated from a conversation with a BBC editor. American children, the chemistry of the New England fall, out west, anything? I said, 'well, it opens quite a field.
Letter from America by Alistair Cooke
In Cooke was awarded an honorary knighthood, and he has also received an award from Bafta for his contribution to Anglo American relations and a Sony Radio Award for his services to broadcasting. Cooke's bosses at Radio 4 often struggled with his status as a national institution, and producers working on the show were warned to change nothing.
Rumours that he was about to be axed surfaced throughout the s and 80s, but came to nothing. As the former Radio 4 controller Michael Green put it: I can't imagine a controller giving some poor person a farewell letter to deliver to Alistair.
There'd be public outrage. The plane would be shot down over the Atlantic.