FAQs

When can I listen to the programme?

Letter from America was broadcast for 58 years on BBC Radio 4 in the UK and on the BBC World Service. The programme is no longer broadcast but you can still listen to previous Letters from America via the archive section of the website.

Can I listen to the programme on this site?

Yes. You can listen to programmes broadcast from 1997 - 2004 through the Letter from America archive which can be found on the homepage. To listen to a Letter please click on the year the letter was broadcast and then title of the Letter and then the audio link.

Where can I find programme transcripts?

You can view transcripts from 1997 to 2004 via the Letter from America archive section which can be found of the homepage. You can also search for previous Letters from America by entering key words into the 'Search Letter from America' field.

Are recordings of previous programmes available?

We are unable to provide tape recordings of previous programmes but you can listen to the audio of the Letters along with the transcripts on the website.

Cassette tapes of various Letters from America are also available from the BBC Shop in London, telephone number: 0207 557 2576 (for mail order in the UK) or from BBC Belfast, telephone number: 028 903 25672 (for International mail order). You can also order them from the BBC shop website - www.bbcshop.com

The cassettes are:
Volume 1, The Early Years 1946-1968
Volume 2, The Middle Years, the 1970s
Alistair Cooke at the BBC (selection of Letters, speeches and other material)

What books has Alistair Cooke written?

Some books that Alistair Cooke has written are:
The Americans, Letter from America 1969-1979. (Publisher: Penguin)
America Observed. (Publisher: Penguin)
Memoirs of the Great and the Good. (Publisher: Pavillion)

Can you tell me about job opportunities/work experience?

All BBC jobs are advertised at http://www.bbc.co.uk/jobs. The site also includes information on careers and trainee schemes within the BBC.
All BBC work experience queries should be directed to:
BBC Work Experience, PO Box 27118, London, W12 8ZL Tel: [phone] Email: [e-mail]