The Presidential Campaign has afforded us a great opportunity to watch and debate the complex and indeed sometimes ludicrous dividing issues (Rick Perry, seriously!) that besiege the States. For many, a cipher is sought to understand how the debates and races are propagated and reflect the greater fabric of American life. Many look to news' websites and bloggers such as BBC News or the likes of Andrew Sullivan...The one outlet that I miss most keenly is that of the late great British-born journalist Alistair Cook.
Here was a true yankophile whose great forte was the study of the tropes and recurring issues that America is solely susceptible to. His most enduring endeavour was his weekly radio broadcast 'Letters from America'. These broadcasts ran from 1946 to 2004 and offered many a rare glimpse into the real America. His burring balm-like voice covered the Korean War, the assassination of both JFK and his brother up into the 21st Century. He watched and commented on 11 Presidents not counting being present for FDR's many administrations before beginning the 'Letters.' He was in the unique position of witnessing and discussing 20th Century America for nigh on six decades.
For some readers of this article, his 'Letters from America' were not a staple of their journalistic diet. For millions of BBC Radio 4 listeners, however, it was weekly ritual that offered an understanding of the great republic. These short considered vignettes did not impress an opinion or bias left or right. The letters reported on great issues through the lens of topical case studies or charming anecdotes; thus allowing the listener to discern for them self a rational and objective conclusion. The subject matter of his letters were truly diverse as Cooke explained:
"a foreign correspondent is required to act on the preposterous but exhilarating assumption that he takes all knowledge for his province and is equally at home in a textile mill, a political convention, a showing of abstract art, a proxy fight, or a launch pad at Cape Canaveral."
My affection is not simply for the carefully considered points that he made but that of his composition and delivery. His tone was neither rushed nor condescending; it conveyed the impression of a genial and rather witty favourite uncle.
Like Garrison Keillor his voice is immediately recognisable with a warm and reposeful tone. It is no surprise that both of these gentlemen are feted for their work on radio. These broadcasts by Cooke, who only finished his 'letters' at the great age of 95, were all written in script form by the man himself and recorded in his flat overlooking Central Park. His prose and cadence are a lesson to any aspiring radio columnist or commentator - points were neither over emphasised nor a passage rushed. His letters were not overindulgent, and like a good stand up his musings came across fresh and accessible. For a preliminary introduction to the study American society, forget trawling through de Tocqueville or a Schlesinger tome, look to Cooke's letters.
I am aware that I am bordering on hyperbole - but his trusted musings, unlike the polarizing ranting of Michael Moore or Glenn Beck, offered listeners the wide focus picture considering the lessons of the past, and measured contemplation of the future. The longevity of this programme and his close study afforded him, in my opinion, that much-abused noun, perspective.
This week is the perfect time to discover Cooke's work as the BBC are releasing 920 of Cooke's Letters for free consumption (http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00f6hbp).