A British reporter who lived in the U.S. for decades, Cooke's Letters from America ran on the BBC for over a half century. Cooke also presented a popular television series in the early 1970s (America: A Personal History of the United States). Originally published in 1973 after the TV series aired, this book is an affectionate and idiosyncratic (but not uncritical) look at American history and character, from the first Native American inhabitants of the continent through to the 1960s. An outsider's view of the U.S. written at a time when the country was more optimistic and sure of itself than it is today, this book will captivate readers--especially those who are encountering Cooke's writing for the first time. Includes 24 pages of photographs and illustrations. Annotation ©2011 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)