The first 'Letter from America' recreated 50 years later in 1996. 

One of the best commentators of all time, Alistair Cooke was an international treasure. There will never be another like him, not because such a mind as his can't occur now and then, but because the world no longer works the way it did when he began his Letters.

As a life long admirer, I have never heard this. Thank you so much. Just superb.

I used to listen to this on the World service. An awesome man and a great series. Much missed.

For me, his reflections on American society were always insightful. I still miss his thoughts and opinions.

I still miss letter from America, it used to make my week.

I used to listen to him when i stayed at my Grans, happy days i will never have again.

I even though I was a child in Africa love his English accent very convince was Master orator in English language Miss you

Listen to him as a kid so good

Yes, I remember listening to him in my childhood, youth and early maturity. A master of the English language and erudition, rarely surpassed. It is tempting to guess what he would have made of recent US events.......best not go there.

I am looking at my copy of Alastair Cooke’s jazz letters from America transatlantic BBC broadcast in 1938 and 1939. Featuring Jazz Greats from Commodore records mixed black and white musicians AMSC 855.

In Holland i whas a regular listerner Magic with language, a great! Journalist! I love It to hear his voice.in those days on am radio. Btw he whas very accurate. Sadly missed great man!

No matter where I was in the world (British army) I always listened to letters on the world service a wonderful speaker

Thank you very much.

My mother used to see him when she was a child in Blackpool..he was slightly older...

I miss him and the BBC Bush house shortwave

My "hobby whas listening To the AM radio. Like bbc world service,radio Moskou,voice of Amerika,and Dutch stations Etc .SO YOU can hear the difference in news.(pol) sir allister ,whas my favoriet!

Wonderful 🎉 Anyone have a copy of “The Unseen Alistair Cooke”? I looked on RU-vid with no success. Think it was originally on PBS several years ago. Also checked the PBS shop but nothing. 😔

Interesting stuff, but it is curious he mentions junkies living off the state. USA has never been much of a welfare state. Social programs are practically non existent compared to the rest of G8. USA was early with social security, but it is hardly a handout as it is simply the current working generation paying a bare minimum pension for the previous generation. The only real handouts, as in getting something for nothing have gone to bankers, who every few years in a tsunami of unchecked greed causes economic collapse and forces big daddy to either bail them out or cover their losses, as well as being forced to issue massive government dept to recover the economy.

So wonderful and insightful!