Letter From America By Alistair Cooke: The Bush Jr Years (2001- 2004)

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.