Letter from America by Alistair Cooke: The Bush Jr Years (2001- 2004): Recent Episodes
BBC Radio 4
The 9/11 attacks, the war on terror and invasion of Iraq defined George W Bush’s first term. A fascinating social, cultural and political look at American life from Alistair Cooke
In Alistair Cooke's last letter, he considers how the war in Iraq is a key element in the run-up to the US Presidential Election.
Alistair Cooke recalls how slimming became fashionable during the food shortages that followed the First World War.
Alistair Cooke looks at the meaning of 'intelligence' and recounts how he was mistaken for a spy during World War II.
Alistair Cooke discusses the resignation of the US chief weapons inspector, Dr David Kay.
Alistair Cooke remembers the days before specialisation when doctors in the USA used to make house calls.
Alistair Cooke thinks back to a winter in Palm Beach, as Arctic weather hits the northern states.
Alistair Cooke refuses to join the throng of commentators writing themselves into exhaustion about the presidential candidates.
With the New Year unfolding, Alistair Cooke wonders what makes people favour athletic prowess over academic skill.
As the United States enters an election year, Alistair Cooke describes how congressmen will be trying to secure re-appointment.
Alistair Cooke recalls the circumstances that led to the creation of Charles Dickens' most famous story.
If in doubt, find an anniversary! Alistair Cooke remembers when the centenary of Queen Victoria receiving the Koh-I-Noor diamond helped him out of a tricky situation.
Alistair Cooke looks back at the history of Thanksgiving in the light of modern concerns about healthy eating.
Alistair Cooke compares tariffs set on Chinese imports with similar attempts to protect America's home economy with the Smoot-Hawley Tariff during the great depression.
In anticipation of George Bush's visit to Europe, Alistair Cooke examines how the announcement of casualty numbers influences the public's appetite for war.
Alistair Cooke celebrates the architectural achievements of Stanford White, amongst them Madison Square Gardens.
Forty years on Alistair Cooke examines the knock on effect of the destruction of the original Pennsylvania Station.
Alistair Cooke examines the Pledge of Allegiance and its role in an increasingly secular society.
Alistair Cooke was unable to give his talk. In this repeat, from October 1998, Alistair Cooke muses on curious linguistic differences between America and England.
Alistair Cooke contemplates the result of the Californian Election and Arnold Schwarzenegger's role as governor.
Alistair Cooke examines the roles Robert Lochner and Alexander Butterfield have played in American state affairs over the past four decades, including JF Kenndy's speech "Ich bin ein Berliner".
Alistair Cooke asks why it is costing so much to rebuild Iraq and seizes the launch of a four-bladed razor to analyse the process of shaving.
Alistair Cooke tells us two stories because in times of great stress - and waiting for hurricane Isabel is stressful - people have told stories.
Alistair Cooke celebrates the life of golfing correspondent and commentator Henry Longhurst.
Alistair Cooke contrasts the "crisis" in the tennis world with that in Iraq and bemoans the lack of sports stars who can put their troubles in perspective.
Alistair Cooke examines why how tennis at Wimbledon and across the globe reconciles traditional values with the modern world.
Alistair Cooke contemplates the importance of electricity in the light of recent power cuts in New York and Baghdad.
Upon receiving a letter containing a Winston Churchill legend, Alistair Cooke remembers some more myths surrounding other famous characters.
Given the failure to reach consensus at the UN on how to tackle terrorism, Alistair Cooke reassesses his letter of 1998 discussing Bill Clinton's failure to get his way at the UN.
Following the death of two centenarians, Alistair Cooke discusses Bob Hope and Lord Shawcross and how their longevity relates to the pensions crisis.
Alistair Cooke rejects the thought of retirement but contemplates the pastime of golf in the light of recent scientific studies.
Alistair Cooke examines the power of the catchphrase whether it be "uranium from Africa"; "winds of change"or "I was brainwashed".
Alistair Cooke reflects on why Americans seem to trust Tony Blair more than their own president, George Bush.
Alistair Cooke asks whether the invasion of Iraq was based on a false premise: the existence of hidden weapons.
Alistair Cooke examines tyrants who commit mass murder and compares Stalin with Hitler.
Alistair Cooke contemplates how some political decisions change the entire course of world history by examining Saddam Hussain's decision to invade Kuwait.
Alistair Cooke asks how we can police the world in a time of modern terrorist conflict since America's founding fathers never legislated for an "undeclared" war.
Alistair Cooke questions how much confidence people should have in the military, the President, and in Congress.
Alistair Cooke explains how Leo Szilard, a little know Hungarian refugee, helped stop World War II.
Alistair Cooke reflects on how the desert town of Las Vegas became the biggest tourist honey trap.
Unions, strikes and last minute negotiation talks blot out world catastrophes for Alistair Cooke.
Alistair Cooke considers how people can become desensitised to the horrifying images of war, using Winston Churchill's Potsdam experience for reference.
Alistair Cooke considers how to grow old successfully and pays tribute Dr. Carlo Urbani, the man who pioneered Doctors Without Borders.
Alistair Cooke pays tribute to the brilliant and eccentric former senator, Daniel Patrick Moynihan.
36 hours into the war with Iraq, Alistair Cooke considers the public and political support for the war and George Bush's lack of diplomacy.
Alistair Cooke considers the ineffectiveness of the UN as an enforcing power and retells the history of Washington DC.
Alistair Cooke reflects on the lives of three extraordinary men; Sir Alexander Cadogan, Philip Larkin and Mister Rogers.
Alistair Cooke looks back to the discovery of the chemical structure of deoxyribonucleic acid - slangily known as DNA.
Alistair Cooke considers how cold winters affect New York's economy and reflects on his experience of 26 inches of snow on Boxing Day 1947.
Alistair Cooke considers how much caution should be taken when the National Security threat level is raised to 'imminent attacks'.
Alistair Cooke reflects on astronaut John Glenn's eventful earth landing in his Mercury capsule, Friendship 7.
Alistair Cooke explains how he is haunted by the similarities between the beginnings of World War Two and the current crisis in Iraq.
Alistair Cooke ponders on how to relax when the body can no longer use physical exercise as a release.
Alistair Cooke considers California's drought worries and contemplates how to split resources like water equally.
Alistair Cooke explores the branch of the US Homeland Security System which has the power to keep files on anybody in the country who gives off even a whiff of suspicion.
Alistair Cooke considers security in Times Square on New Year's Eve, a Chinese immigrant who took a prophet to court, and the apparent lack of professional predictions for 2003.
Alistair Cooke contemplates the meaning of Christmas as it is celebrated now, and remembers the Christmases' of three famous men.
Alistair Cooke ponders the daily grind of politics, and the struggle of President Lyndon Johnson in getting the whole idea of Medicare turned into law and made a reality.
Upon the death of a dear friend we are told a secret about President Kennedy that Alistair Cooke has kept for a lifetime
Alistair Cooke ponders Britain's anti-American feelings and George W Bush's obsession with Saddam Hussein.
Alistair Cooke looks back to the origins of the festival and remembers the day in 1938 when Franklin D Roosevelt declared 24 November to be "a day of general Thanksgiving".
Alistair Cooke contemplates what he considers to be; 'the striking resemblance of the events of the past year or so to the chronicles of the Bible'.
Alistair Cooke considers the US congressional elections and the passing of the United Nations Security Council resolution of warning to Saddam Hussein.
Alistair Cooke explains why 31 small and rarely mentioned American political parties can be all important in US elections and what happens when the polling computer stops working.
Alistair Cooke recalls his very odd introduction to American politics; explains why Boston's top politicians have always been Irish and why all politics is really local.
Alistair Cooke contemplates the excellence of the Old Testament as a work of literature, Churchill's use of language and the wording of UN treaties.
Alistair Cooke ponders the topics he chooses for his essays, his memories of San Francisco and the historical connection between China and California.
Alistair Cooke considers drafting during the American Civil War, anti-war protesters, rioting and the history and nature of Al Qaeda .
Alistair Cooke examines the relationship between politicians and public opinion, as well as the life and polling discoveries of George H Gallup.
Alistair Cooke ponders names - the names of hurricanes, black Christian names and biblical names, as well as phonetics and the recital alphabet.
Alistair Cooke considers the Cuban missile crisis, weapons inspections in Iraq and the scandal of Richard Nixon's membership of an all white golf club.
Alistair Cooke reflects on the anniversary of the September 11 attacks and considers a type of warfare so new that some European generals can't be convinced it is war at all.
Alistair Cooke reflects on President George Bush's recent holiday and considers the workload of "the most powerful man in the world" with reference to the Iraq crisis.
Alistair Cooke talks about the US Open tennis championships ceremony paying tribute to heroes of 9/11 and how former NY mayor David Dinkins loved tennis.
Alistair Cooke explores the weird and wonderful anniversaries of 1902, including how the teddy bear was named, the zipper and American slang.
Alistair Cooke talks about floods in Europe; Dresden damage during WWII; air conditioning & the heatwave; forest fires; floods in Mississippi.
Whilst the warship, Monitor, is dredged out of the Atlantic Ocean, Alistair Cooke reflects that Europe’s reliance on the UN for sanctions against Saddam Hussein is an 'easy cop out'.
Alistair Cooke on the US stock market; the trapped Pennsylvania miners; troops required for invasion of Iraq and Pope John Paul II's visit to Toronto.
Alistair Cooke reflects on the generosity of Andrew Carnegie, and the vice of greed within philanthropy.
Whilst corporate fraud and greed hit the news headlines, Alistair Cooke considers the complicated language used by Alan Greenspan to calm the stock markets. Plus, he explores the education choice in 1951 for a young black girl.
Alistair Cooke considers his shifting habits and examines what President George W Bush is doing about fraudulent financial deals by corporations and, allegedly, Bush himself.
Alistair Cooke on why Deadman Flat is the closest the public can get to the G8 conference; why sweat shops are good for their workers; the Duke of Norfolk and the Fourth of July.
A letter from a student leads Alistair Cooke to consider anti-semitism in New York, and the ramifications of President Truman's decision to help found and protect an Israeli Jewish state.
Alistair Cooke remembers Iraq's invasion of Kuwait, the second Gulf War and the brutal repression of the Kurds and considers the continuing threat posed by Saddam Hussein.
Alistair Cooke considers the life and death of infamous American Mafia boss John Gotti.
Alistair Cooke reflects on the wreckage of the Twin Towers, a vast canyon in the heart of Manhattan and how the ramifications of 9/11 stretch from school children to horse racing.
Alistair Cooke examines George Bush's visit to Europe in the midst of a trade war and reflects on why you can't have plastic surgery if you want a personality.
Alistair Cooke on the elderly residents of Florida who think they've discovered the state's legendary fountain of youth and the alleged forewarning of the September 11 attacks.
Alistair Cooke on the libertarian Cato institute, economist Milton Friedman, why China's newfound capitalism is fully sanctioned by Marx and the massive deficits of US states.
Alistair Cooke talks about airport security on a war footing; deep vein thrombosis, and how the Roman Catholic church uses canon law to protect its clergy.
Alistair Cooke on the psychological damage done to New York school children by the September 11 attacks and the prevalence of al Qaeda cells in countries allied with the US.
Alistair Cooke considers the scandals of child sex abuse by clergy in the Roman Catholic church and the role of bishops and cardinals in enabling abusers.
Alistair Cooke explains the exhausting effects of transcontinental flight and examines the split between the Democrats and Republicans over the attitude of Ariel Sharon.
Alistair Cooke examines the historical roots of US involvement in the conflict between Isreal and the Palestinians and why, when it comes to treaties, even the smallest words count.
Alistair Cooke considers the contrasting ways in which English and American high schools teach science and the difference a scientific education makes in every field.
Alistair Cooke praises unseen fighter pilots protecting New York and examines the stepping-up of internal security and the publication of a list of nuclear threats to the US.
Alistair Cooke explores the difficult and exceptional life of champion American golfer, lawyer, scholar and engineer Robert Tyre Jones.
Alistair Cooke recalls his personal experience of the day in 1933 when every bank in America shut and the lessons it taught him about how economies work.
Alistair Cooke offers his view of the flawed ideology behind the idea of an "axis of evil" and the US's relationship with its traditional allies and its many new ones.
Why shouldn't Rudolph Giuliani receive a knighthood? Alistair Cooke reveals the historical objections and misconceptions of America's relationship with honours.
Alistair Cooke expresses his concern about the US government's conception of an "axis of evil", their desire to invade Iraq and the possible restraining power of the UN.
Alistair Cooke explains why we should all be interested in the President's budget; the new found importance of US homeland defence and the pork barrel metaphor.
Alistair Cooke examines the ever changing nature of war, the history of four Geneva Conventions and argues the case for a new convention for a new type of war.
Alistair Cooke examines the very real impact of inaccurate weather forecasts; the fall of Enron and the new US foreign policy being enacted at Guantanamo Bay.
Alistair Cooke wonders, upon considering the reality, why anyone would want to live like a Queen and examines the lifestyles of US presidents.
Alistair Cooke on how an unlikely political allegiance is transforming American education, the altered state of US law making after September 11 and Milosevic at the Hague.
Alistair Cooke considers change, the election of George W Bush, the transformation of Rudolph Giuliani after September 11 and Russian President Vladimir Putin's visit to New York.
Alistair Cooke questions why hearing the American national anthem should be uniquely affecting since the attacks on September 11th.
In the wake of 9/11, Alistair Cooke remembers introducing Bernstein to Handel's Messiah and admires the generosity of Tiger Woods. First broadcast 21 December 2001.
Alistair Cooke discusses the rumour of a potential attack on the San Francisco Bridge and the warnings by scientists about global warming.
Alistair Cooke considers the political and ethical dilemmas of "racial profiling" at airports since September 11th.
Alistair Cooke reflects on the horror of home grown terrorists used by al-Qaeda and other terrorist cells.
The coincidences between the assassinations of Abraham Lincoln and John F Kennedy. Plus, the UN debate on war with Afghanistan.
Alistair Cooke discusses the creation of The Space Guard Project, invented to eliminate potential extraterrestrial catastrophes.
Alistair Cooke reflects on the outpouring of patriotism and the outburst of flag hanging in response to the September 11th attacks.
Alistair Cooke reflects on how America is coping in the aftermath of the terrorist attack on September 11th.
Whilst coping with the daily threat of possibly finding anthrax in the mail, Alistair Cooke reflects on how hope and fear are wrapped up within the 9/11 terrorist attacks.
Alistair Cooke reflects on how the September 11th attack has changed the American psyche, and considers how letters filled with anthrax are exacerbating the problems.
Alistair Cooke questions the use of anxiety inducing warnings from the FBI of imminent terrorist attacks, the partiality towards singing the national anthem, and Tony Blair's popularity ratings in America.
Alistair Cooke compares the uses and abuses of civil rights and censorship by UK and US governments during wartime.
Alistair Cooke considers the lifespan of a letter written by Einstein to warn the President of the power unleashed by nuclear reactions, and how terrorism is used by governments.
In the aftermath of September 11th, Alistair Cooke considers how the actions of New York City Mayor, Rudolph Giuliani, compare with the activities of President Bush and his government.
Alistair Cooke reflects on how he and the rest of the American population reacted to the World Trade Center terrorist attack on September 11th 2001.
Alistair Cooke likens the problems arising from the UN Convention on racism to those found on and off the professional tennis court.
Alistair Cooke reflects on President Bush's determination to build an all-embracing defence missile shield.
A coma patient kept on life support for 22 years makes Alistair Cooke consider the complex political and ethical issues of medical advancement.
An special mixed-couples golf match that paired Tiger Woods with Annika Sorenstam, and David Duval with Karrie Webb, inspires Alistair Cooke to reflect on his most beloved sport, golf.
Alistair Cooke explores Europe's ignorance of America's long and continuous concern with Pacifica and the Far East.
Whilst Presidential poll ratings stagnate, Alistair Cooke considers the affect of policies on George Bush's popularity.
Alistair Cooke debates the ethical and political difficulties surrounding human embryo stem cell research.
Alistair Cooke considers the private and public life of a President as George Bush takes his presidential vacation with a small army of domestic and overseas reporters.
Whilst fireworks burn brightly in the sky, Alistair Cooke reflects on the celebrations that take place every 4th of July to commemorate US independence, and the women's finals at Wimbledon.
Alistair Cooke reflects on the changing social taboos and bigotries over the past quarter of a century.
Alistair Cooke reflects on how people switch their political interests from the national to the local and the talents of the mocking bird.
Alistair Cooke considers President Bush's political blueprints for his European policy discussions.
After taking a break from the news in an attempt to remain light-hearted in the face of huge world problems, Alistair Cooke reflects on his timeout, and how news reports affect a person’s psyche.
Alistair Cooke reflects on the political centrism occuring in both the US and the UK. He considers the new conservatism of the Labour party in Britain, and the differences between the Democrats and Republicans in the US.
Alistair Cooke examines how earthquakes in San Francisco are over shadowed by power problems, and reflects on President George W. Bush's reduction in foreign policy.
Alistair Cooke considers arguments surrounding the power failure crisis in California and explores the deregulation of resources.
Alistair Cooke reflects on how the credibility of the United Nations has been eroded, and how a "universal shout" of anti-Americanism has echoed around the world.
Alistair Cooke reflects on the Supreme Court and the way in which it makes its decisions.
Alistair Cooke examines the media depiction of violence and reviews the coverage of the second anniversary of the Columbine High School shooting.
Alistair Cooke considers the unfashionable problem of carbon dioxide emissions and the renewed amour for trilby wearing.
Alistair Cooke reflects on the crash landing of an American spy plane on a Chinese island.
Alistair Cooke reflects on President George W. Bush's decision not to support the Kyoto Treaty.
Alistair Cooke reflects on the foot and mouth epidemic affecting Britain, and the ban implemented by America on all living animals imported from Europe.
Alistair Cooke considers the health of the American vice-president, Dick Cheney, and wonders whether the Senate could pass President Bush's tax bill and make it law.
Alistair Cooke is shocked by the results from a national poll asking US citizens to name the four greatest presidents in American history.
The controversial Clinton exit inspires Alistair Cooke to investigate past presidents' departures from the White House.
Alistair Cooke reflects on the generations of wealthy families who prosper or loose it all.
Alistair Cooke remarks on the cynicism of old motion picture comic WC Fields and considers George W Bush's push to decentralise government.
Alistair Cooke investigates the quirky work habits of past US presidents, including Bill Clinton, Ronald Reagan and Calvin Coolidge.
Alistair Cooke compares the colourful characters of past US presidents, including Franklin Roosevelt, Ronald Reagan and Harry S Truman.
Alistair Cooke compares Andrew Jackson's rowdy inauguration with that of George W Bush.
A childhood fishing trip becomes more poignant to Alistair Cooke after discovering that the North Sea is falling victim to water pollution.
Alistair Cooke contemplates whether the internet really is the miracle cure for the US economy.