David Dimbleby is returning with a new series for BBC Radio 4’s The History Podcast examining how the United States became the world’s dominant superpower.
Invisible Hands: The American Century follows Dimbleby’s earlier Invisible Hands series, which explored the rise of free market economics in the UK.
The new series will focus on the political, economic and military forces that shaped America after the Second World War.
It examines the period when Europe was left devastated by war while the United States emerged as the world’s most powerful economy, producing half of global output and holding nuclear power.
It will also look at the people behind America’s influence, from economists shaping the global financial system to CIA operatives and Cold War strategists.
David Dimbleby said he wanted to explore where the idea of the “American Century” began and how the country came to lead what presidents described as the free world.
He said: “I have reported on the United States for many years. I’ve interviewed Presidents about their vision for America and heard them describe America as the leader of the free world.”
Dimbleby added that the series begins at the end of the Second World War and centres on “a junior government economist most people have never heard of”, who “some say was a Soviet spy”.
Commissioning Editor, Daniel Clarke said, the broadcaster was “thrilled” to welcome Dimbleby back to guide listeners through the forces that shaped America over the last 250 years.
Invisible Hands: The American Century will air on BBC Radio 4 in July as part of The History Podcast, which has featured titles including The House at Number 48, The Brighton Bomb and Sixty Years of Hurt.
It will also be available on BBC Sounds.
