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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: John Ridgway

23/11/1986

John Ridgway

BBC Radio 4 - Desert Island Discs, John Ridgway

Michael Parkinson's castaway is explorer John Ridgway

Michael Parkinson's castaway is explorer John Ridgway.

John Ridgway's adventures first became public when, in 1966, he rowed across the Atlantic with Chay Blyth. In conversation with Michael Parkinson, he recalls canoeing down the Amazon, sailing twice round the world, as well as exploits in Peru and the Himalayas, and he talks about his School of Adventure in Scotland. He also chooses the eight records he would take to the mythical island.

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

Favourite track: Clair de Lune by Claude Debussy
Book: Wind in the Willows by Kenneth Grahame
Luxury: Shaving kit

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: An unhappy Thanksgiving

07/06/2014

An unhappy Thanksgiving

BBC Radio 4 - Letter from America by Alistair Cooke, An unhappy Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving holiday soured by ongoing revelations over Iran-Contras deal.

No mention of politics in the president's Thanksgiving address - despite it being the main item on most news menus.

No mention of politics in the president's Thanksgiving address - despite it being the main item on most news menus.

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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