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At the height of the Cuban Missile Crisis, JFK receives some remarkable advice. Read by Colin Stinton and 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 family:

5. Kennedy receives a vivid communique from his advisor JK Galbraith about the practicalities of shelter during nuclear attack. Later he writes to the British Prime Minister Harold Macmillan - words of social nicety and trepidation about the Russians.

Readers Colin Stinton, Richard Laing, Peter Marinker and Trevor White

Producer Duncan Minshull.

15 minutes

Last on

Sat 13 Oct 201802:45

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
ReaderPeter Marinker
ReaderTrevor White
ProducerDuncan Minshull
AbridgerPenny Leicester
AuthorMartin W Sandler

Broadcasts

  • Fri 15 Nov 201309:45
  • Sat 16 Nov 201300:30
  • Fri 26 May 201714:45
  • Sat 27 May 201702:45
  • Fri 12 Oct 201814:45
  • Sat 13 Oct 201802:45

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