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Episode details

Radio 4,27 Dec 2009,30 mins

27/12/2009

Americana

Available for over a year

Host Matt Frei is joined by evening news anchor Katie Couric to discuss the most striking American stories of the past decade. As many across the United States enjoy a white Christmas weekend, a cappella ensemble Sonos warms up the Americana studios with their performance of White Winter Hymnal. Matt Frei talks to author Sherman Alexie about Christmas in Native American homes, both on and off the American Indian reservations. Alexie's most recent book, War Dances, explores the many shapes and styles of fatherhood found across the United States. And Americana hears about one particularly disastrous Christmas dinner. A simple sandwich next year might turn out to be a better option than this family feast.

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