A personal view of the history of the USA from Britain's best-loved American correspondent.

Through his BBC radio series, Letter From America, Alistair Cooke reported on every aspect of life in the United States for over 50 years. In 1973 he wrote and presented this critically acclaimed TV series, which became a hit on both sides of the Atlantic, generated a best-selling book and earned Cooke an invitation to address Congress in bicentennial celebrations in 1974, Cooke died in March 2004, just a month after his last ever Letter From America.

In this very individual examination of the history of his adopted country, his passion for America and its effect on his life are very clear. Throughout the series, as Cooke takes us from the settlement of America by the Europeans to its transformation to an industrial super power, his distinctive voice, imposing screen presence and great storytelling talent ensures each episode is compelling and fascinating.