From America’s great hope after Nixon’s election victory, to disillusionment after Watergate through to President Carter’s election. A fascinating social, cultural and political history of American life, through the words of British-American journalist and broadcaster, Alistair Cooke (1908 – 2004).
Episodes available:
Indefinitely 
Fri, 12 Dec 80
Duration:
14 mins
The shooting of John Lennon on the 8th December 1980 sparks a debate over the need for national gun control law in America.
Fri, 7 Nov 80
Duration:
14 mins
As Ronald Reagan wins the 1980 US presidential election, Alistair Cooke reflects on the causes of Jimmy Carter's downfall.
Fri, 15 Aug 80
Duration:
14 mins
Edward Kennedy makes the best speech of his career at the Democratic Party conference, after losing his challenge for the party's nomination to incumbent President Jimmy Carter.
Fri, 8 Aug 80
Duration:
14 mins
Cooke looks back at his own coverage of previous Democratic nomination campaigns including Truman and Dewey in 1948; and the current battle between Jimmy Carter and Edward Kennedy.
Fri, 4 Jul 80
Duration:
14 mins
Alistair Cooke reflects on the wide-ranging functions of the US Supreme Court which has ultimate jurisdiction in America and takes its authority from the US Constitution.
Fri, 25 Apr 80
Duration:
14 mins
How will President Carter's failed attempt to rescue the Americans being held hostage by Iran affect the forthcoming election?
Fri, 8 Feb 80
Duration:
14 mins
America shows gratitude to Canada after it was revealed that the Canadian embassy in Tehran rescued six US diplomats during the seizure of the US embassy on 4th November 1979.
Fri, 19 Oct 79
Duration:
15 mins
Mistaking a neutron for a neutrino, the New York Times has to apologise for its reporting of the Nobel Prize; and marking the death of Uncle Tom, actor Clarence Muse.
Fri, 5 Oct 79
Duration:
14 mins
The national rejoicing during Pope John Paul II's visit to the US, the biography of the Pope, and Catholicism in America.
Fri, 21 Sep 79
Duration:
15 mins
The detestable confession that confirms that the actress Jean Seberg's life was destroyed by J Edgar Hoover's 'dirty tricks' branch of the FBI.
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