For many years I used to tune into the BBC World Service on shortwave every week to listen to Alistair Cooke's Letter from America. I regret that I fell out of the habit these past few years.
Then this morning I saw on the Internet that Alistair Cooke had just died. Turned on my Grundig Satellit 700, tuned in the BBC, and listened to the news at the top of the hour. I was astonished to learn that Cooke's final Letter from America was broadcast little more than a month ago, on February 20.
Yes indeed it was. Our local public radio affiliate carries the Beeb for at least 12 hours a day and it's been a real joy listening to his broadcasts.
He knew everyone and had an interesting and insightful story to tell about them as well. On one of his broadcasts he told the story of how he convinced a young Leonard Bernstein to conduct a performance of Handel's Messiah, which Bernstein (up to that point) was not familiar with. In the very same broadcast, he told of playing golf with Bing Crosby.
Of course he was British, Barlow. But that made him all the more the quintessential American that Dean described him. Like a French aristocrat who visited this country in the early 19th century and, in his published commentaries, described the Americans and our culture far better than any American could have done.
So, rest in peace, Mr Cooke. You company shall be missed.
For many years I used to tune into the BBC World Service on shortwave every week to listen to Alistair Cooke's Letter from America. I regret that I fell out of the habit these past few years.
Then this morning I saw on the Internet that Alistair Cooke had just died. Turned on my Grundig Satellit 700, tuned in the BBC, and listened to the news at the top of the hour. I was astonished to learn that Cooke's final Letter from America was broadcast little more than a month ago, on February 20.
Yes indeed it was. Our local public radio affiliate carries the Beeb for at least 12 hours a day and it's been a real joy listening to his broadcasts.
He knew everyone and had an interesting and insightful story to tell about them as well. On one of his broadcasts he told the story of how he convinced a young Leonard Bernstein to conduct a performance of Handel's Messiah, which Bernstein (up to that point) was not familiar with. In the very same broadcast, he told of playing golf with Bing Crosby.
He'll be missed for sure.
you illiterate cunt. Cooke was British.
Of course he was British, Barlow. But that made him all the more the quintessential American that Dean described him. Like a French aristocrat who visited this country in the early 19th century and, in his published commentaries, described the Americans and our culture far better than any American could have done.
So, rest in peace, Mr Cooke. You company shall be missed.
Arnold Harris
Mount Horeb WI