Letter from America by Alistair Cooke: The Clinton Years (1997-2000)
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Letter from America by Alistair Cooke: The Clinton Years (1997-2000)
Bill Clinton’s second term was dominated at home by the Monica Lewinsky scandal and the attempt to impeach him, but there were major events abroad with the al-Qaeda attack on US embassies in east Africa and the war in Kosovo. A fascinating social, cultural and political history of American life, thr...
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President Jiang in America
Chinese President Jiang's 1997 visit to America to meet President Clinton, the dangers of a strong Chinese economy, and Saddam Hussein's threat to sho...
America is Back to Normal
Alistair Cooke discusses the reality of wind chill, questionnaires for appointing cabinet officers and the secrets to old age.
How Wrong We've Been, from Madison to Roosevelt
Alistair Cooke explains how America was able to wait patiently for the confirmation of their new president, George Bush.
An Embarrassing Relic of Authoritarianism
Alistair Cooke contemplates the pros and cons of democracy and the role of America's Electoral College.
Bedazzled and Bewildered
Alistair Cooke asks whether the doubts about the result of the Florida vote are paralysing America's government.
It's a Nine Ring Circus and You'll Never be Bored
Alistair Cooke examines the voting irregularities of 1876 and applies the lessons learned from them to the current electoral crisis in Florida.
The Origin of the Continental Blow Out
Alistair Cooke looks at the origins of Thanksgiving and seasonal trends in food.
The Florida re-count, 2000
The various legal issues underlying the failure to elect either George W Bush or Al Gore as president are explained by Alistair Cooke.
Paralysis by Analysis
Given the closeness of the recent election, Alistair Cooke asks what sort of mandate the next President will really possess.
The Day of Judgement
Democrat or Republican? Gore or Bush? Who will be the next President? Alistair Cooke reviews the two candidates.
Suffocating in an Ocean of Advertising
Alistair Cooke looks forward with pleasure to the Presidential election and an end to wall-to-wall lobbying and advertising.
A Supreme Diarist
Alistair Cooke celebrates the life and work of diarist James Agate and contemplates how he would have approached the pressing issues of the modern wor...
The World's Tumult and the Price of a Barrel of Oil
Alistair Cook considers two conflicts - the rioting in Jerusalem and the revolution in Belgrade.
There He Goes Again
With a presidential election a month or so away, Alistair Cook ponders the history of the American presidential debates.
A Vague Beast Called Big Oil
Whilst the rising price of gasoline (or petrol to the European listener) is casusing a problem across both Europe and the US, Alistair Cooke considers...
Just the Facts, Ma'am
In the midst of the reporting from the Sydney Olympic Games, Alistair Cooke is surprised by an article detailing the legal status of prostitution in A...
Trouble with the English Language
In the run up to the presidential election Alistair Cooke considers the affect of the poll ratings, Governor Bush's language gaffs and personality con...
Doing What Comes Naturally
Alistair Cooke examines the lengths athletes go to for sporting success and reflects on the history of bodily enhancement through drugs, hormones and...
Father, God, Undefined
Alistair Cooke considers the American passion for trusting in God and how religion is linked to the American constitutional rights.
Russia: The Victim of Democracy
Alistair Cooke considers the tragic sinking of the Russian submarine Kursk and what public reaction in Russia has revealed about the government's rela...
Mother Nature's Wild Fires
Alistair Cooke talks about the colossal forest fires raging across the United States and explains how they've started to become an issue of political...
Running Mates and Carpet Baggers
Alistair Cooke explains the origins of the American political phrases "carpet bagger" and "running mate" as well as the role of the vice president.
From Exciting Horserace to Exhibition Trot
Alistair Cooke considers the outdated presidential nominating conventions and remembers the dramatic evenings of the longest ballot in US history.
From Party Convention to Coronation
On the eve of the political parties choosing a nominee for the presidency of the United States, Alistair Cooke remembers some previous party conventio...
Ghostly Applause for a News Blackout
Alistair Cooke evaluates the effect of the news blackouts surrounding the Israel and Palestinian peace talks and reflects on their joint history and t...
Now Read On...
Alistair Cooke remembers George Gallup, the man whose scientific polling method changed the study of government and public opinion forever.
Where Have all the Answers Gone?
Alistair Cooke bends his alphabet into a metaphysical helix in order to gain an understanding of the human genome.
Pursuing a Will-o-the-wisp
On the 50th anniversary of the United Nation's Korean War Alistair Cooke remembers the conflict that was often called the "forgotten war", including h...
This Great Festival of Consumerism
Alistair Cooke ponders on how long the ordinary American family has been paying attention to Father's Day and is worried by the great festival of cons...
A Wonderful Work or a Rat Trap?
In light of a new vedict surrounding the visiting rights of grandparents, Alistair Cooke reflects on the pace at which the Supreme Court makes its dec...
Polishing up his Escutcheon
Alistair Cooke reflects on how President Clinton is polishing up his political legacy with his recent Chinese and Russian treaty summits.
Diet, Longevity and a Custard Pie
Alistair Cooke reflects on the beginning of the national obsession with cholesterol and the scientific study which proved eating too much meat is bad...
A Giant Step for Womankind
If the mother of invention is necessity, then Alistair Cooke reflects that the father is resistance. In the light of unions disagreeing to trade with...
Historic Turning Points
After a shock announcement from New York City Mayor Giuliani, Alistair Cooke considers when the taboo of writing about the private life of prominent p...
The China Bill and other Kickshaws
Whilst the House of Representatives vote on granting China permanent trading privileges, Alistair Cooke considers San Francisco's law against sizeism.
The Outrageous David Merrick
The life and times of a colourful character in American theatre - David Merrick - are remembered by Alistair Cooke.
A Sordid Struggle
Alistair Cooke examines the legal battle to declare six year old Cuban Elian Gonzalez eligible for permanent asylum in the US and the political ramifi...
Cycle of Boom and Bust
After the New York stock exchange plunges more than 600 points, periods of boom and bust are remembered by Alistair Cook.
The Year of the Census
Alistair Cooke examines whether questions on the US census invade individuals' privacy and explores the uses of private information.
Never-failing, Ever-soaring, High-flying, Hi-techs
While technology stocks are puzzling financial experts, Alistair Cook wonders what alternative sources will be found to create energy.