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.
Though the intended audience was britain, I listened to this from the time I was a kid in the US. Is perspective is always valued and never seems dated.
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!
Yes that was my experience also. I used to listen to him on shortwave radio as a young teenager. It was always a treat to hear somebody who had more than a rudimentary command of the English language. Made all the more impactful by his insights and quaint turn of phrase. What a treasure.
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.
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 TH-cam 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.
I loved Radio 4 in rhe days of programmes of the calibre of Letter From America. Today I couldn't listen to any BBC output as its so biased & woke. All I listen to is the old programmes on Radio 4 Extra Its a shame old Letters From America aren't repeated on Radio 4 Extra?
I still miss letter from America, it used to make my week.
YES-- me too!!!
As a life long admirer, I have never heard this. Thank you so much. Just superb.
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.
Loved his talks from 1967 up until his death.
Agreed. Amazing how relevant the talks still are today.
I used to listen to this on the World service. An awesome man and a great series. Much missed.
Same from 1967 until his death. I
For me, his reflections on American society were always insightful. I still miss his thoughts and opinions.
When i read the compilation of Letter to America and can still here his voice.
No matter where I was in the world (British army) I always listened to letters on the world service a wonderful speaker
Though the intended audience was britain, I listened to this from the time I was a kid in the US. Is perspective is always valued and never seems dated.
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
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!
Listen to him as a kid so good
Yes that was my experience also. I used to listen to him on shortwave radio as a young teenager. It was always a treat to hear somebody who had more than a rudimentary command of the English language. Made all the more impactful by his insights and quaint turn of phrase. What a treasure.
I miss him and the BBC Bush house shortwave
So wonderful and insightful!
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.
Thank you very much.
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 TH-cam with no success.
Think it was originally on PBS several years ago.
Also checked the PBS shop but nothing. 😔
My mother used to see him when she was a child in Blackpool..he was slightly older...
WOW Having listened to him since 1967 i would have given anything to see him .
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.
I loved Radio 4 in rhe days of programmes of the calibre of Letter From America. Today I couldn't listen to any BBC output as its so biased & woke. All I listen to is the old programmes on Radio 4 Extra
Its a shame old Letters From America aren't repeated on Radio 4 Extra?