A history of Father Christmas
Santa Claus or Father Christmas? The origin of the Patron saint of Christmas is explored. Plus, the surprising popularity of a Tickle Me Elmo toy has caused prices to skyrocket.
Dec 27, 1996•13 min
Letter from America by Alistair Cooke: The Clinton Years (1993-1996)
Bill Clinton’s first term encompassed controversies from the Israeli-Palestinian Oslo accords and gays in the military to the North American Free Trade Agreement and an attempt at healthcare reform. A fascinating social, cultural and political history of American life, through the words of British-American journalist and broadcaster, Alistair Cooke (1908 – 2004).
Last refreshed: ⓘ
Follow this podcast in the Metacast mobile app to refresh it and see new episodes.
Podcasts are better in Metacast mobile app
Don't just listen to podcasts. Learn from them with transcripts, summaries, and chapters for every episode. Skim, search, and bookmark insights. Learn more
Episodes
UN Leader Mr Boutros Boutros-Ghali
A tribute to Mr Boutros Boutros-Ghali, former leader of the UN General Assembly, whose peacekeeping skills were put to the test during the Rwandan Genocide.
Dec 20, 1996•14 min
Gulf War Syndrome
Madeleine Albright becomes the first Secretary of State in America, and investigations reveal a possible chemical cause of Gulf War Syndrome.
Dec 13, 1996•14 min
Permissive California
Cults of California, tolerance in San Francisco, and the permissive parenting backlash are discussed by Alistair Cooke in this week's Letter From America.
Dec 06, 1996•13 min
Thanksgiving in California
From California, Alistair Cooke examines the un-politicised institution of Thanksgiving and the changing face of US politics.
Nov 29, 1996•13 min
Sexual harassment in the armed forces
After public revelations of cases of sexual violence in the US Army and Navy Alistair Cooke examines the scandal of the sexual harassment of women in America's armed forces.
Nov 22, 1996•14 min
US intervention in Rwanda
US intervention in the Rwandan refugee crisis and the history of President Clinton's press conferences.
Nov 15, 1996•14 min
The 1996 presidential election
The results of the presidential elections and how technology is turning busy television studios into silent cathedrals, as discussed by Alistair Cooke.
Nov 08, 1996•14 min
Halloween, 1996
The history Halloween, the origin of the vampire myth and the roaring business performed by pumpkin farmers during the month of October.
Nov 01, 1996•14 min
Forest fires, tornadoes and earthquakes
A season of disaster, forest fires, tornadoes, earthquakes and leads to a recollection of a vast storm in 1938 which descended on the Northern Atlantic coast.
Oct 25, 1996•14 min
The science of electoral predictions
The science of electoral prediction and the possible pitfalls of keeping one ear to the ground following the Dole and Clinton debates.
Oct 18, 1996•14 min
Vice-presidential responsibilites
Vice-presidential responsibilities, the careers of Bob Dole, Dan Quayle and Jack Kemp, and the false predictions of Lord Kelvin, Albert Einstein and Arthur C Clarke.
Oct 11, 1996•14 min
The 1996 presidential debates
The first presidential debate between President Clinton and Mr Dole, and the unique election advantage gifted to incumbent presidents, the presidential halo.
Oct 04, 1996•14 min
Boris Yeltin's heart surgery
Boris Yeltsin's heart-bypass surgery and the cultures of secrecy that have surrounded the heath and governance of gravely ill leaders.
Sep 27, 1996•14 min
OJ Simpson's civil trial
As O J Simpson's civil trial begins Alistair Cooke considers what can be gained from a civil suit and examines the differences in the way the new trial is being run.
Sep 20, 1996•14 min
The Defense Of Marriage Act 1996
The Defense of Marriage Act and the implications it has to same sex marriage, and news from Bob Dole's floundering presidential campaign.
Sep 13, 1996•14 min
Cruise missile strike in Iraq
The US cruise missile strike in Iraq, the claims that the first Gulf War was left unfinished and the complexities of the first conflict, as discussed by Alistair Cooke.
Sep 06, 1996•14 min
Chicago and the Democratic convention
The Democratic Party convention returning to Chicago, the history of the city and the 'circus within a plague' of the last, disastrous conference of 1968.
Aug 30, 1996•14 min
The return of Ross Perot and US social concerns
The return of Ross Perot as a presidential candidate, the prohibition of third-trimester abortions, the proliferation of guns and the education of children about global warming.
Aug 23, 1996•14 min
The 1996 Republican convention
The history of the party nomination conventions, the switch to the primary election as the method of choosing a presidential candidate, and Bill Clinton's lead in the polls.
Aug 16, 1996•14 min
Atlanta Olympics 1996
The commercialisation and crass television coverage of the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta, and the effect that an influx of money has on sport.
Aug 09, 1996•14 min
The welfare and healthcare reform debate
The presidential race, US welfare and healthcare reform and the prurience and pressure surrounding the TWA flight 800 crash investigation.
Aug 02, 1996•14 min
The TWA Flight 800 crash
The TWA Flight 800 crash and the media coverage of the accident, the casino life of the financial markets and Bob Dole's reluctance to embrace the 1990s.
Jul 26, 1996•14 min
The Helms-Burton Bill
The Helms-Burton bill, which penalises foreign companies doing business with Cuba, Senator Jessie Helms and tobacco , and the importance of Southern states to President Clinton.
Jul 19, 1996•14 min
Melvin Belli (1907-1996)
A reflection on the life and legal crusade of the flamboyant US celebrity lawyer Melvin Belli, self-proclaimed defender of the 'little helpless guy'.
Jul 12, 1996•14 min
1996 Russian presidential elections
Boris Yeltsin's victory in the Russian presidential elections, the relative novelty of universal suffrage in the West and the need for democracy, as discussed by Alistair Cooke.
Jul 05, 1996•14 min
Max Factor Jr and make-up (1904 - 1996)
The death of Max Factor Jnr. and the origin of the word "make-up" are the subjects considered by Alistair Cooke.
Jun 21, 1996•14 min
Bob Dole to run for president
With Bob Dole resigning from the Senate, Alistair Cooke examines the legislator's time as Senate leader and explores the uncertain future of the Republican Party.
Jun 14, 1996•14 min
Timothy Leary (1920 -1996)
The death of Timothy Leary, the impact of LSD in the 1960s, and the need for each generation to rebel against the one before, as chronicled by Alistair Cooke.
Jun 07, 1996•14 min
Memorial Day, 1996
Memorial Day, now indistinguishable from Veteran's Day, leads Cooke to consider on how recognition of military service has changed and, how Bill Clinton joined the US army.
May 31, 1996•14 min
For the best experience, listen in Metacast app for iOS or Android