Roy Plomley's castaway is journalist and broadcaster Alistair Cooke. Show more
Letter from America by Alistair Cooke
Reagan blunders over Marcos election
14 minutes
First broadcast: on BBC Radio 4 FMLatest broadcast: on BBC Radio 4 LW
Available for over a year
Reagan statement about 'fraud on both sides' of Philippines election seen as huge blunder which could have left opposition to Marcos in a dangerous position. Show more
Letter from America by Alistair Cooke
Marcos overthrown by people power
14 minutes
First broadcast: on BBC Radio 4 FMLatest broadcast: on BBC Radio 4 LW
Available for over a year
Watching people power overthrow a dictator - and the new CNN news network showed us how it happened. Show more
Letter from America by Alistair Cooke
Floods in California
14 minutes
First broadcast: on BBC Radio 4 FMLatest broadcast: on BBC Radio 4 LW
Available for over a year
Homes and crops wiped out after massive flooding leaves northern California under water. Show more
Letter from America by Alistair Cooke
International airlines in trouble
14 minutes
First broadcast: on BBC Radio 4 FMLatest broadcast: on BBC Radio 4 LW
Available for over a year
The battle for market share of intercontinental air travel leaves major players in financial crisis. Show more
Letter from America by Alistair Cooke
Loving Los Angeles
14 minutes
First broadcast: on BBC Radio 4 FMLatest broadcast: on BBC Radio 4 LW
Available for over a year
Time to reconsider that smug, cliched view of the cultured city of Los Angeles. Show more
Letter from America by Alistair Cooke
US-Libya missile battle
14 minutes
First broadcast: on BBC Radio 4 FMLatest broadcast: on BBC Radio 4 LW
Available for over a year
Political storm follows naval battle between US and Libya in Gulf of Sidra. Show more
Letter from America by Alistair Cooke
Americans stay at home
14 minutes
First broadcast: on BBC Radio 4 FMLatest broadcast: on BBC Radio 4 LW
Available for over a year
After US-Libya stand-off, the threat of terrorism - aided by low fuel prices at home - see American travellers stick to their own continent. Show more
Letter from America by Alistair Cooke
US attack on Libya
14 minutes
First broadcast: on BBC Radio 4 FMLatest broadcast: on BBC Radio 4 LW
Available for over a year
Britain is the only Western European country to back US air strikes against terrorism headquarters in Libya. Show more
Letter from America by Alistair Cooke
Ukraine nuclear disaster
14 minutes
First broadcast: on BBC Radio 4 FMLatest broadcast: on BBC Radio 4 LW
Available for over a year
Western Europe - in the direct line of contamination - clamours for more information about Ukraine nuclear power plant accident. Show more
Letter from America by Alistair Cooke
Growing US deficit
14 minutes
First broadcast: on BBC Radio 4 ExtraLatest broadcast: on BBC Radio 4 LW
Available for over a year
Reagan gets thumbs-up from voters through tax cuts - despite national deficit rocketing into hundreds of billions. Show more
Letter from America by Alistair Cooke
Michael Deaver case
14 minutes
First broadcast: on BBC Radio 4 FMLatest broadcast: on BBC Radio 4 LW
Available for over a year
US ethics committee to investigate allegations of improper lobbying by former White House aide Michael Deaver. Show more
Letter from America by Alistair Cooke
Yakima Canutt, 1986
14 minutes
First broadcast: on BBC Radio 4 FMLatest broadcast: on BBC Radio 4 LW
Available for over a year
In praise of the little-known name behind the thrilling stunts of many big-name movie stars. Show more
Letter from America by Alistair Cooke
Americans fly abroad again
14 minutes
First broadcast: on BBC Radio 4 FMLatest broadcast: on BBC Radio 4 LW
Available for over a year
Resurgence of American bookings to European holiday spots as terrorism fears abate. Show more
Letter from America by Alistair Cooke
Ozone loss and cancer
14 minutes
First broadcast: on BBC Radio 4 FMLatest broadcast: on BBC Radio 4 LW
Available for over a year
Time to stay out of the sun? Special Senate report links ozone loss with increasing skin cancers. Show more
Letter from America by Alistair Cooke
Supreme Court changes
14 minutes
First broadcast: on BBC Radio 4 FMLatest broadcast: on BBC Radio 4 LW
Available for over a year
Reagan's surprise announcement of new Supreme Court appointments could sway judgments on abortion. Show more
Letter from America by Alistair Cooke
Sounding American, 1986
14 minutes
First broadcast: on BBC Radio 4 FMLatest broadcast: on BBC Radio 4 LW
Available for over a year
An expert opinion on why Americans can't sound English - and the English can't sound American. Show more
Letter from America by Alistair Cooke
A popular president
14 minutes
First broadcast: on BBC Radio 4 FMLatest broadcast: on BBC Radio 4 LW
Available for over a year
Never take anything for granted - like why a president's popularity has nothing to do with his policies. Show more
Letter from America by Alistair Cooke
The national anthem, 1986
14 minutes
First broadcast: on BBC Radio 4 FMLatest broadcast: on BBC Radio 4 LW
Available for over a year
America's national anthem was chosen just over 50 years ago - is it time to salute to a new tune? Show more
Letter from America by Alistair Cooke
Drug addiction spreading
14 minutes
First broadcast: on BBC Radio 4 FMLatest broadcast: on BBC Radio 4 LW
Available for over a year
Mrs Reagan's 'Say no to drugs' campaign isn't enough to tackle the growing social problem of addiction. Show more