Five specially selected letters from American election years, based on the BBC Radio 4 series 'Cooke's Elections'. Starting with Truman's surprise victory in 1948 and concluding with another surprise win, that of George W. Bush in 2000 - he comments on opinion polls, democracy, the difference between Democrats and Republicans, Bill Clinton's fashion sense and what Clinton's symbolic rejection of 'the blue blazer' meant to the American political system. In each letter his unique style of expression and analysis shines through. Also includes an introduction by Justin Webb and links.