Letter from America by Alistair Cooke: The Bush Sr Years (1989-1992)

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 realities of unlimited immigration, andthe movement that proposes to make English the official language of the United States.

Casablanca's impact and the effect the film had on cinema audiences of 1942 are remembered by Alistair Cooke on its 50th anniversary.

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 the economy.

Following the death of Millicent Fenwick in September, Alistair Cooke profiles the late Congresswoman and details the female additions to the Senate in 1992.

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.

Complex methods for predicting presidential election results, and the effect Ross Perot had on the outcome, are discussed by Alistair Cooke.

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, Bill Clinton.

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, and an embarrassing incident involving the Canadian flag are discussed by Alistair Cooke.

The legacy of Christopher Columbus is examined by Alistair Cooke. Should he be regarded as a hero or an enslaving villain?

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.

The modern author as touring book salesman, the autobiography of Gulf War General H Norman Schwarzkopf and a potential scandal for President Bush.

Some notable entries from a dictionary of 20th Century history leave Alistair Cooke wondering if the upcoming election will feature in a future edition.

The UK withdraws from the European Exchange Rate Mechanism after Black Wednesday, and the way in which the US allocates powers and responsibilities to individual states.

The political situation in Burma, a proclamation by Reverend Pat Robertson, and Senator Quentin Burdick of North Dakota.

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 free trade.

Remembering his time aboard a ship travelling in extreme weather conditions from England to New York, Alistair Cooke anticipates the beginning of the 1992 hurricane season.

The effect that party conventions have on opinion polls, and the contenders for the Republican nomination are reviewed by Alistair Cooke.

A look at the political career of the presidential advisor and former US Defense Secretary, Clark Clifford, following Clark's recent indictment in connection with the BCCI scandal.

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.

Three dramatic party conventions from the past, and how the system of choosing a presidential candidate has evolved.

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.

The idea of sportsmanship and the battle against the steroids which can help fulfil athletic ambitions in the approach to the Barcelona Olympic Games .

The law surrounding extradition and the relationship between freedom of speech and racism, following two prominent Supreme Court rulings.

A recollection of the first gathering of the UN, the celebrity journalists who covered the meeting; Joan Stitt McMenamin, the outgoing headmistress of Nightingale-Bamford School.

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 rise of Ross Perot, the American dissatisfaction with the two party system and how President Bush planned to win back the White House.

Businessman Ross Perot runs for American presidency. Alistair Cooke analyses the man who founded Electronic Data Systems and owned General Motors.

With the riots in Los Angeles over, Alistair Cooke describes the conclusions drawn by Vice-President Quayle following the violence, and questions the priorities of the White House.

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 discussed by Alistair Cooke.

The Secretary Of Housing And Urban Development, Jack Kemp's work, and the social problems faced by the large cities of the United States.

Following the conclusion of trial of the police officers accused of beating Rodney King, Cooke details the violent disturbances in Los Angeles happening in the wake of the verdict.

The mixed emotions felt by the Americans and Spanish towards Christopher Columbus, and the work of science fiction writer Isaac Asimov.

Following the income tax declaration deadline of April 15th, Alistair Cooke examines the case of Leona Helmsley, a wealthy New York hotelier accused of tax fraud.

The potential perils of a large welfare state and how one presidential candidate, Ross Perot, is proposing to reduce government spending, discussed by Alistair Cooke.

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 to America in 1888.

The differing attitudes of French and American politicians towards immigration and the expectations of a brand new US citizen, examined by Alistair Cooke.

The US Presidential campaign, and the ethics of the closure of the bank of the House of Representatives.

The presidential tenure of Richard Nixon and his diplomatic activities after leaving office.

Following the New Hampshire primary, Alistair Cooke profiles Republican candidate Pat Buchanan, and asks whether a vote for Buchanan is really a vote against George Bush.

The allegations made against Judge Clarence Thomas, and the fate of the journalists who brought the story to the public consciousness.