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George Gershwin (1898-1937)

The life and music of George Gershwin and a post-Soviet boom in Russian immigration to NY.

• 15 mins

The President's economic problems

Asian economic problems spread to Brazil; the limits of the president's economic power.

• 15 mins

Presidential infidelities impeachment

The modest history of presidential infidelity and how the impeachment process works.

• 15 mins

Separated by Language

Jerome Weidman, America's first 'street-smart novelist' and peculiarities of US English.

• 15 mins

John Glenn returns to Space

Remembering the televised spectacle of John Glenn, the first American to orbit the earth.

• 15 mins

Congressional midterms 1998

Have Republican attempts to use the Lewinsky scandal against Clinton to have backfired?

• 15 mins

Democrat victory 1998 midterms

The Democrats make historical gains in the 1998 midterms and Clinton's confidence returns.

• 15 mins

Hurricane Mitch devastates Honduras and Nicaragua

Hurricane Mitch strikes Honduras and Nicaragua and why trivial news can be so distracting.

• 15 mins

Some memorable letters from America

Alistair Cooke recalls some of his most memorable talks from the last 52 years.

• 15 mins

Saddam's nuclear arsenal

A discussion on America's possible reaction to Saddam Hussein's nuclear stockpile.

• 15 mins

Thanksgiving 1998

The history and traditions of Thanksgiving and the opposition to the celebration in 1998.

• 15 mins

Clinton impeachment hearing

A discussion of the likely outcome of the hearing to decide on Clinton's impeachment.

• 15 mins

Operation Desert Fox begins

As the UN is refused access to weapons sites in Iraq, Operation Desert Fox begins.

• 15 mins

Decline in US personal savings

The differing opinions of economists on the drop in personal savings to below zero.

• 15 mins

America, 1998

Alistair Cooke reflects on some of the more memorable moments of 1998.

• 15 mins

Illuminating Events with Unpredictable Results

In light of Clinton's impeachment trial Alistair Cooke recalls the only other of its kind.

• 15 mins

The US Senate trial of Bill Clinton, 1999

Alistair Cooke reports on the US Senate trial of President Bill Clinton.

• 15 mins

Striving for a More Perfect Union

Alistair Cooke reflects on the celebration of Rev. Martin Luther King Day.

• 15 mins

The Moral Pillar and the Moral Contortionist

Alistair Cooke reflects on the ethical dilemmas that arise when the Pope visits the USA.

• 15 mins

Dot Dot Dash Dash, Over and Out

To commemorate the last wireless telegraph, Alistair Cooke remembers some Morse code.

• 15 mins

It ain't Over, Till it's Over

Alistair Cooke reflects on President Bill Clinton's impeachment trial.

• 15 mins

Our Long Holiday from History is Over

The political fallout of Clinton’s impeachment trial is explored by Alistair Cooke.

• 15 mins

The Pursuit of Self-Determination

Alistair Cooke explores how President Woodrow Wilson helped redmap Europe after WWI.

• 15 mins

Played for a Sucker

After revelations about the CIA in Iraq, Alistair Cooke ask; who watches the watchmen?

• 15 mins

A Natural Gentleman

Alistair Cooke pays tribute to the placid, talented, baseball player Joe DiMaggio.

• 15 mins

Wholesale Flouting of the Law

Alistair Cooke considers how US Presidents keep flouting the War Powers Resolution.

• 15 mins

Doves, Hawks, Owls and the People

Alistair Cooke considers the power held by Alan Greenspan over the economic market plunge.

• 15 mins

In the Hot Seat

In the aftermath of a NATO airstrike, Alistair Cooke reflects on the tactics of war.

• 15 mins

The Art and Curse of Television

Alistair Cooke reflects on TV war reports since the abolition of front-line censorship.

• 15 mins

Whatever It Takes

Alistair Cooke wonders why only Senator John McCain acknowledges the NATO war.

• 15 mins