The Presidents

The eight-part Special Presentation THE PRESIDENTS takes a breezy and insightful look at the personalities, special characteristics, leadership abilities, and dominant achievements of the men who have sat in the Oval Office.

THE PRESIDENTS is based on the book To the Best of My Ability, edited by Pulitzer Prize-winning historian James McPherson, from DK Publishing. Each episode covers a distinct era of the presidency. Through war and peace, bust and boom, glory and tragedy, each President has had to face personal and political challenges that defined his time in office.

THE PRESIDENTS reflects on the backgrounds of America’s leaders, the makeup of their characters, the defining historical events during their administrations and how their actions affected the direction of the country.

Some of this country's most distinguished presidential scholars provide insight into the U.S. Presidents. Among the authors, journalists and historians featured are James McPherson, Richard Brookhiser, Hugh Sidey, Richard Reeves, Walter Isaacson, Walter Cronkite, David Gergen, Evan Thomas, Robert Dallek, H. W. Brands, William M. Fowler Jr., Eric Foner, Douglas Brinkley, Alan Brinkley, Carol Berkin, John Seigenthaler, Harry Watson Annette Gordon-Reed and David Kennedy.

Politicians commenting in the series include: President Jimmy Carter, Bob Dole, James Baker, Leon Panetta, and Wesley Clark.