BBC Radio 4 LW

Desert Island Discs

Castaway guests share the soundtrack of their lives.

Eight tracks, a book and a luxury: what would you take to a desert island? Guests share the soundtrack of their lives.

Desert Island Discs: Michael Elkins

16/02/1985

Michael Elkins

BBC Radio 4 - Desert Island Discs, Michael Elkins

Roy Plomley's castaway is journalist Michael Elkins

Roy Plomley's castaway is journalist Michael Elkins.

Michael Elkins was, for many years, the BBC correspondent in Jerusalem. In conversation with Roy Plomley, he recalls his childhood in New York, where he became a pool-room hustler, his screen-writing career in Hollywood, and he talks about his active role in helping to set up a Jewish state in Palestine. 

[Taken from the original programme material for this archive edition of Desert Island Discs] 

Favourite track: Spring by Antonio Vivaldi
Book: The Hero With the Thousand Faces by Joseph Campbell
Luxury: Electric typewriter

BBC Radio 4

Intelligent speech, the most insightful journalism, the wittiest comedy, the most fascinating features and the most compelling drama and readings anywhere in UK radio.

Letter from America by Alistair Cooke

Alistair Cooke’s weekly talks on American life, history and politics from 1946 – 2004.

Alistair Cooke’s weekly talks on American life, history and politics, as broadcast on BBC Radio 4 from 1946 – 2004.

Alistair Cooke’s weekly talks on American life, history and politics. Over 900 programmes, as broadcast from 1946 – 2004.

Alistair Cooke - Letter from America

Letter from America by Alistair Cooke: General Westmoreland libel case

06/06/2014

General Westmoreland libel case

BBC Radio 4 - Letter from America by Alistair Cooke, General Westmoreland libel case

Vietnam general sues TV network over accusatory programme.

Vietnam commander General Westmoreland's libel case against CBS ends in stalemate.

Vietnam commander General Westmoreland's libel case against CBS ends in stalemate. The sound quality on this recording is variable/poor.

This archive edition of Letter from America was recorded by one of two listeners, who between them taped and labelled over 650 Letter From America programmes from 1973 to 1989. It was restored by the BBC in 2014.

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