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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:
- 'Rainbow Rhapsody'


Episode 5:
- 'Ataronchronon' and 'Constants are Changing'


The series also features non-commercial production music.

Credits

Role Contributor
Reader Colin Stinton
Reader Richard Laing
Reader Stephen Greif
Reader Kelly Burke
Producer Duncan Minshull
Abridger Penny Leicester
Author Martin W Sandler

Broadcasts

  • Thu 14 Nov 2013 09:45
  • Fri 15 Nov 2013 00:30
  • Thu 25 May 2017 14:45
  • Fri 26 May 2017 02:45
  • Thu 11 Oct 2018 14:45
  • Fri 12 Oct 2018 02:45

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