The BBC radio program LETTER FROM AMERICA remains the seminal and longest running personal commentary on the radio. This release focuses on the turbulent times in the US of the 2000s,and the history of the decade is explored through Alistair Cooke's unique broadcasts.
Presented with an exclusive script narrated by Matt Frei, (presenter of BBC World News America, and formerly the BBC's Washington correspondent) placing the letters in their historical context.
The sixteen letters included:
Running Mates and Carpet Baggers, The Day of Judgment and Paralysis by Analysis -all centred upon the famously indecisive Presidential election of 2000 between George W Bush and Al Gore.
The Origin of the Continental Blow-out, America's Day of Terror and America on Standby -all focussed upon the 9/11 attacks on the Twin Towers.
In lighter vein, Messiah at Christmas, talking about Handel's Messiah and his memories of hearing it performed during his Lancashire childhood.
And Alistair Cooke's final LETTER FROM AMERICA, broadcast on 20th February 2004, reflecting on President Bush' difficulties as the situation in Iraq unravelled.
