Main content
Sorry, this episode is not currently available

During the Cold War years, JFK's exchange of letters with Nikita Khrushchev was surprisingly informal. Read by Richard Laing.

Letters to and from President Kennedy are published in book form and edited by Martin W Sandler to mark fifty years since the assassination of 1963. And a selection, abridged in five episodes by Penny Leicester, reveal the drama and tensions to do with American foreign policy. Other letters reveal Kennedy's wit and warmth when contacting friends and members of the public:

4. During the Berlin Crisis of 1961, the leaders of America and the Soviet Union agreed to communicate with letters that were 'personal and private'. Refreshingly, their respective tones were different to official missives. Kennedy also received thanks from Elizabeth II.

Readers Colin Stinton, Richard Laing, Stephen Greif and Kelly Burke

Producer Duncan Minshull.

15 minutes

Music

The music used in this Book of the Week includes:


Episode 1:
Glenn Miller - 'Rainbow Rhapsody'


Episode 5:
Boards of Canada - 'Ataronchronon' and 'Constants are Changing'


The series also features non-commercial production music.

Credits

RoleContributor
ReaderColin Stinton
ReaderRichard Laing
ReaderStephen Greif
ReaderKelly Burke
ProducerDuncan Minshull
AbridgerPenny Leicester
AuthorMartin W Sandler

Broadcasts

  • Thu 14 Nov 201309:45
  • Fri 15 Nov 201300:30
  • Thu 25 May 201714:45
  • Fri 26 May 201702:45
  • Thu 11 Oct 201814:45
  • Fri 12 Oct 201802:45

Listen to more Audio Books

Listen to more Audio Books

Including My Sister The Serial Killer, Queenie, The Flatshare and more.

Opening Lines

Opening Lines

John Yorke unpacks the themes behind the stories in Radio 4's weekend afternoon dramas.

Sample our books and authors Clip Collection

Sample our books and authors Clip Collection

Interviews, previews and reviews

Subscribe to the Short stories podcast

Subscribe to the Short stories podcast

Featuring the best stories from the UK's finest writers

How many of these 100 Novels have you read?

How many of these 100 Novels have you read?

After a passionate debate, our panel has come up with this surprising literary selection.

Finding Your Story

Finding Your Story

Ten remarkable novels about identity: Which one will help you discover yourself?

BBC Arts: Books

BBC Arts: Books

Celebrating reading and the 100 novels that have shaped our world.