The various legal issues underlying the failure to elect either George W Bush or Al Gore as president are explained by Alistair Cooke.

Letter from America: The Clinton Years (1997-2000)

The Florida re-count, 2000

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 shoot down planes over Iraq.

President Jiang in America

Alistair Cooke discusses the reality of wind chill, questionnaires for appointing cabinet officers and the secrets to old age.

America is Back to Normal

Alistair Cooke explains how America was able to wait patiently for the confirmation of their new president, George Bush.

How Wrong We've Been, from Madison to Roosevelt

Alistair Cooke contemplates the pros and cons of democracy and the role of America's Electoral College.

An Embarrassing Relic of Authoritarianism

Alistair Cooke asks whether the doubts about the result of the Florida vote are paralysing America's government.

Bedazzled and Bewildered

Alistair Cooke examines the voting irregularities of 1876 and applies the lessons learned from them to the current electoral crisis in Florida.

It's a Nine Ring Circus and You'll Never be Bored

Alistair Cooke looks at the origins of Thanksgiving and seasonal trends in food.

The Origin of the Continental Blow Out

Given the closeness of the recent election, Alistair Cooke asks what sort of mandate the next President will really possess.

Paralysis by Analysis

Democrat or Republican? Gore or Bush? Who will be the next President? Alistair Cooke reviews the two candidates.

The Day of Judgement

Gesellschaft und Kultur

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, through the words of British-American journalist and broadcaster, Alistair Cooke (1908 – 2004).