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

On the anniversary of the day Roosevelt closed every bank in America, Alistair Cooke remembers Black Monday, the huge stock market crash of 19th October 1987.

London satire fails to entertain the New York audiences. 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.

Solidly Republican, the rural state where local issues are decided upon by the locals. 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.

What is the caucus system of nominating candidates for public office, and why does everyone believe the lowly Iowa caucus is so important?

Congress repeals embarrassing Act which banned visitors from the US because of their political beliefs. 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.

Reagan could face revolt among his supporters over ratification of the US-Soviet INF Treaty. 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.

Divisions within the Democrats both current and at Madison Square Garden in 1924, Anthony Kennedy's appointment to the Supreme Court; and Woody Allen's new son Satchel.

Republican glee as voters see Senator Hart's confession of affairs as a serious character flaw. 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 INF treaty signing – not so much an historical event as a television event; 'Gorby' mania in the US and Europe.

A report on the Washington summit for the US and Soviet leaders to sign the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty treaty limiting medium-range nuclear armaments.

Thanksgiving Day past and present, a summing-up of current political situation, and the riots of Cuban prisoners threatened with deportation back to Cuba, discussed.

The reports from the investigating committee into the Iran-Contra scandal are finally to be made public, and the new breed of journalist spawned by Watergate.

As the ripples still rebound following Black Monday, it's time for the British to take seriously the economic uncertainties, and for the US to agree cuts in the federal deficit.

Fiery speech from President Gorbachev before December summit outlines arms limitation and hopes for a new economy in Russia. 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 money men are waiting for President Reagan to take the lead in attempts to stabilise the rocky economy. 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.

What caused the global stock market to crash on 19th October 1987, how are ordinary people affected, and how does it compare with the Wall Street Crash of October 1929?

Peace prize award to Costa Rican president is a slap in the face for Contra-supporting 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.

A question of intelligence - the definition which just might prove that providing assistance to the Contras broke no US law. 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 months after admitting his role in the Iran-Contra affair, Alistair Cooke reflects on Colonel Oliver North's brief moment as a popular hero to a minority in the US.

President Reagan's nomination of conservative Judge Robert Bork to the Supreme Court, the highest power in the US, has alarmed liberals and heartened far-right Republicans.