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Wishful Thinking Overload

After the US rejects a nuclear treaty, Alistair Cooke explains how easily pacts can fail.

• 15 mins

That Fateful Night in Macbeth

Amid the festivities of All Hallows’ Eve, Alistair Cooke ponders the origins of Halloween.

• 15 mins

At the Centre of Things

Whilst visiting San Francisco, Alistair Cooke muses on the ego-centric lives of city folk.

• 15 mins

Democracy in Action

Alistair Cooke commemorates the 10th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin wall.

• 15 mins

Fortress America and Beloved Symbols of Britain

Alistair Cooke criticises Bill Clinton’s appearance at Yitzhak Rabin’s memorial service.

• 15 mins

The Most American of All American Festivals

Whilst turkeys roast and yams bake, Alistair Cooke reflects on traditions of Thanksgiving.

• 15 mins

The Last Demo Circus of the Year

Alistair Cooke discusses the protests against the World Trade Organisation convention.

• 15 mins

Renewed Concern Over Secondhand Smoke

Passive smoking fears make Alistair Cooke evaluate the cleanliness of the air around us.

• 15 mins

Old Sentiment and New Honesty

In a vintage Letter from America from 1967, Alistair Cooke tells a Christmas story.

• 15 mins

Park Avenue's colourful Christmas

Festive fairy lights remind Alistair Cooke of a time when Christmas was less than holy.

• 15 mins

On Y2K Alert

Alistair Cooke discusses the US Government’s precautions against the millennium bug.

• 15 mins

A Breathtaking Global Tour and a Resignation

Alistair Cooke discusses Boris Yeltsin's resignation and Mr Putin's praise of the KGB.

• 15 mins

The Death of the Old Media

Alistair Cook uses Rip Van Winkle to understand the Time Warner and America Online deal.

• 15 mins

What are Animals put on Earth For?

The news that "Fur is back", leads Alistair Cook to explore why it never really went away.

• 15 mins

A Gentleman but not a Scholar

Alistair Cook reviews how the United Nations reacted to a scolding from Senator J Helms.

• 15 mins

Conventional Wisdom

Alistair Cook reflects on the history of how political parties choose their candidates.

• 15 mins

Fickle Crushes and Volatile Markets

Alistair Cook remembers a forgotten lesson: the folly of economic prophecy.

• 15 mins

Charles Schulz: A Great and Good Man

Alistair Cooke commemorates the life of Charles Schultz, the creator of Charlie Brown.

• 15 mins

Fuelling Inflation

Alistair Cooke considers how oil price may affect the future of the US more than politics.

• 15 mins

Double diplomatic turmoil

America's tricky relationship with Taiwan.

• 15 mins

A Brief Joust and Tumble with Sir Galahad

Alistair Cook looks at the rise and fall of Senator John McCain.

• 15 mins

Buying Judges and Acquiring a Patron Saint

Alistair Cook examines Irish heritage in America and the celebrations of St.Patrick's Day.

• 15 mins

A National Figure of Charm and Pity

Alistair Cooke considers the sole survivor of a capsized boat full of illegal immigrants.

• 15 mins

The Most Significant Event of Recent Times

Alistair Cooke considers the effects of the Chernobyl nuclear power station explosion.

• 15 mins

Never-failing, Ever-soaring, High-flying, Hi-techs

Alistair Cook wonders what alternative sources will be found to create energy.

• 15 mins

The Year of the Census

Alistair Cooke examines whether questions on the US census invade individuals' privacy.

• 15 mins

Cycle of Boom and Bust

After a stock exchange drop of 600 points, Alistair Cook remembers other booms and busts.

• 15 mins

A Sordid Struggle

Alistair Cooke examines the legal battle fought by Cuban Elian Gonzalez for asylum.

• 15 mins

The Outrageous David Merrick

Alistair Cooke remembers the colourful life of American theatre character David Merrick.

• 15 mins

The China Bill and other Kickshaws

Alistair Cooke reflects on China's trading privileges and a law against sizeism.

• 15 mins