Letter from America by Alistair Cooke: The Bush Sr Years (1989-1992)
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Letter from America by Alistair Cooke: The Bush Sr Years (1989-1992)
George Bush’s presidency, the Panama invasion, the Soviet bloc collapse and the first war in Iraq. Alistair Cooke's fascinating look at American life.
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An economic summit
President-Elect Bill Clinton, calls for a gathering of experts to help guide his economic policy, and what he may do to reduce the national deficit.
The English language and immigration
The realities of unlimited immigration, andthe movement that proposes to make English the official language of the United States.
Casablanca 50th anniversary, 1992
Casablanca's impact and the effect the film had on cinema audiences of 1942 are remembered by Alistair Cooke on its 50th anniversary.
Clinton's economy
A month on from the presidential election, Alistair Cooke anticipates the effect that a new president, and a boost in public confidence, will have on...
Millicent Fenwick
Following the death of Millicent Fenwick in September, Alistair Cooke profiles the late Congresswoman and details the female additions to the Senate i...
The executive branch
Why a change of president does not necessarily mean a shift in power, and why it takes so long to move in, and out, of the White House.
Predicting elections
Complex methods for predicting presidential election results, and the effect Ross Perot had on the outcome, are discussed by Alistair Cooke.
Bill Clinton's clothes
The tendency of journalists flock to Washington to hear the result of an election and the rejection of the blue blazer for jeans by President-elect, B...
Election predictions and certainties
The 1992 Presidential election, the dangers of predicting the outcome of the vote and a look to history for examples of election certainty.
The business of sport
The business of sport, and an embarrassing incident involving the Canadian flag are discussed by Alistair Cooke.
Columbus: hero or villain?
The legacy of Christopher Columbus is examined by Alistair Cooke. Should he be regarded as a hero or an enslaving villain?
Electoral debates past and present
The history of electoral debates from Lincoln to Clinton and the power of public perception in the run up to the 1992 US presidential election.
Touring authors
The modern author as touring book salesman, the autobiography of Gulf War General H Norman Schwarzkopf and a potential scandal for President Bush.
Historical events of the 20th Century
Some notable entries from a dictionary of 20th Century history leave Alistair Cooke wondering if the upcoming election will feature in a future editio...
Black Wednesday 1992
The UK withdraws from the European Exchange Rate Mechanism after Black Wednesday, and the way in which the US allocates powers and responsibilities to...
Burma and Quentin Burdick
The political situation in Burma, a proclamation by Reverend Pat Robertson, and Senator Quentin Burdick of North Dakota.
Moving to Mexico
The closure of the Smith-Corona factory in Syracuse, New York, the financial troubles of US manufacturers and strategies for survival in an age of fre...
Hurricanes 1992
Remembering his time aboard a ship travelling in extreme weather conditions from England to New York, Alistair Cooke anticipates the beginning of the...
Conventions and opinion polls
The effect that party conventions have on opinion polls, and the contenders for the Republican nomination are reviewed by Alistair Cooke.
Clark Clifford
A look at the political career of the presidential advisor and former US Defense Secretary, Clark Clifford, following Clark's recent indictment in con...
Ross Perot withraws
Ross Perot withdraws from the 1992 presidential race, the mystery surrounding his exit, and one tiny, fatal slip during Perot's speech to the NAACP.
A history of party conventions
Three dramatic party conventions from the past, and how the system of choosing a presidential candidate has evolved.
Canada and other democracies
The role of Canada within the UN peacekeeping force, the need to compare foreign democracies, and the insular nature of the US debate on abortion.
Olympic sportsmanship
The idea of sportsmanship and the battle against the steroids which can help fulfil athletic ambitions in the approach to the Barcelona Olympic Games...
Extradition and freedom of speech
The law surrounding extradition and the relationship between freedom of speech and racism, following two prominent Supreme Court rulings.
United Nations' first reporters
A recollection of the first gathering of the UN, the celebrity journalists who covered the meeting; Joan Stitt McMenamin, the outgoing headmistress of...
Military downsizing and Rio
How the military downsizing will impact on employment, and the opposition to President Bush's proposals at the recent Earth Summit in Rio 1992.
The problems with the two party system, 1992
The rise of Ross Perot, the American dissatisfaction with the two party system and how President Bush planned to win back the White House.
Ross Perot runs for American presidency
Businessman Ross Perot runs for American presidency. Alistair Cooke analyses the man who founded Electronic Data Systems and owned General Motors.
The end of the LA riots
With the riots in Los Angeles over, Alistair Cooke describes the conclusions drawn by Vice-President Quayle following the violence, and questions the...
Space shuttle Endeavour
The latest mission of the space shuttle Endeavour, and what President Bush will have to do to improve his approval rating following the Gulf War, are...
Cities and social problems
The Secretary Of Housing And Urban Development, Jack Kemp's work, and the social problems faced by the large cities of the United States.
Riots in Los Angeles, 1992
Following the conclusion of trial of the police officers accused of beating Rodney King, Cooke details the violent disturbances in Los Angeles happeni...
Columbus and Asimov
The mixed emotions felt by the Americans and Spanish towards Christopher Columbus, and the work of science fiction writer Isaac Asimov.
Tax fraud
Following the income tax declaration deadline of April 15th, Alistair Cooke examines the case of Leona Helmsley, a wealthy New York hotelier accused o...
Perils of the welfare state
The potential perils of a large welfare state and how one presidential candidate, Ross Perot, is proposing to reduce government spending, discussed by...
The Army of North Virginia
Why Senator Warren Rudman quit, the importance of 9th July to the Army of Northern Virginia, and the story of Sir Lionel Sackville-West, Ambassador t...
The French and immigration
The differing attitudes of French and American politicians towards immigration and the expectations of a brand new US citizen, examined by Alistair Co...
The bank of the House of Representatives
The US Presidential campaign, and the ethics of the closure of the bank of the House of Representatives.
What Richard Nixon did next
The presidential tenure of Richard Nixon and his diplomatic activities after leaving office.