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

BBC Radio 4

4.0 (5)
SOCIETY & CULTURE

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).

08/02/2023

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 shoot down planes over Iraq.

14 min
12/29/2000

America is Back to Normal

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

13 min
12/22/2000

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.

13 min
12/15/2000

An Embarrassing Relic of Authoritarianism

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

14 min
12/08/2000

Bedazzled and Bewildered

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

14 min
12/01/2000

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.

14 min
11/24/2000

The Origin of the Continental Blow Out

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

14 min
11/17/2000

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.

14 min

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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).