Letter From America By Alistair Cooke: The Clinton Years (1997-2000)

The homogenisation of US life and media, California's lead in social legislation and two new Californian propositions on English for immigrants and labour union spending.

A history of US anti-smoking legislation, teenage smoking, the attempts of pro-tobacco lobbyists to cut a favourable deal and a draft bill which could cost them $516 billion.

The uncertain future of the investment bubble, US financial regulation, the lack of open reporting of financial figures in Asian countries and the effects of El Niño on weather.

The consequences Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, the influence of the civil courts on pro-golf and a 9 year old girl's debunking of Therapeutic Touch.

Judge Wright throws out Paula Jones' civil prosecution of President Clinton for an alleged sexual assault in 1991. How will it affect the investigation of the Whitewater land deal?

The complexities and historical shifts of the interpretation of constitutional rights, freedom of speech and how to fly the American flag.

The controversies behind New York's St Patrick's Day Parade, US misconceptions about the status of Northern Ireland and American Irish historical memory of the famine of 1845/6.

Kosovo, Iraq, Haiti and Nicaragua: US rhetoric and responsibility for life and liberty abroad is compared to past problems of power and responsibility for the British Empire.

Bill Gates comes before the Senate Judiciary Committee accused of creating an internet browser monopoly and Alistair Cooke considers previous appearances from Rockefeller to Nixon.

Jerome Murray inventor of myriad conveniences, from the high speed dentist's drill to covered aeroplane boarding ramps, and the UN weapons inspection agreement with Saddam Hussein.

The investigative process which has led to the Clinton - Lewinsky allegations, the role of special prosecutor Starr, the grand jury and examining President Clinton's response.

The UN refuses to take united action against Saddam Hussein and Alistair Cooke considers America's movement towards and the potential problems of military action in Iraq.

The contradiction of Clinton's high approval rating and belief that he's lying, shifting taboos on reporting private life and the culture of social arbitration through law courts.

Tapes emerge alledging that Monica Lewinsky was asked to lie on oath about an affair with the President and Clinton delivers a dazzling state of the Union address.

Considering Cuba's remarkable economic survival after the loss of Soviet support, the history of US-Cuban relations, and a visit to the island by Pope John Paul II.

Class mobility and social change in New York are illustrated by Alistair Cooke with the stories of the Astors, the Metropolitan Opera House, JP Morgan and Mrs Stuyvesant Fish.

Considering failures by expert meteorologists, economists and Kremlinologists to predict the future, why do mere newspaper columnists ever attempt it?

Increased awareness of homelessness and poverty and the failure of ideologies to address the variety of the homeless population are considered by Alistair Cooke.

The story of Zebby Adams, the real Santa Claus, and how his joyride got him into trouble – and his Christmas spirit got him out of it

How the whole world catches a cold from one financial sneeze in Asia – the danger of epidemics in a global economy