FDR on Crises: Depression Relief
Franklin Roosevelt used the power of the federal government to relieve the suffering caused by the Great Depression.
HW Bush and Age: Grandpa Bush
In 1992, President HW Bush seemed increasingly out of touch. His critics panned actions such as spending $28 on presents for his grandchildren and not understanding the technology of a grocery store checkout counter.
Reagan on the Enemy: The Soviet Threat
The delegations of Communist leader Mikhail Gorbachev and President Reagan met in Geneva in 1985. "The President, from the very start, started to speak in a kind of lecturing tone, as though I was a suspect, or maybe a student," says Gorbachev.
LBJ's First Lady: Lady Bird
Johnson had proposed to Claudia Alta Taylor the day they met. Lady Bird became the "perfect political wife" for LBJ.
Reagan on Policing the World: Aiding Freedom Fighters
In 1981, Reagan aided the Polish workers movement and in Afghanistan backed factions fighting a Soviet invasion.
HW Bush and Military Service: Combat Pilot
George H.W. Bush was changed forever by his time as a combat pilot in World War II. "He had been taught not to show his emotions," says biographer Timothy Naftali, "so the public saw a slightly awkward man, who didn't seem quite ready to share his true self with them."
Nixon and Abusing Power: Nixon's Enemies List
President Nixon kept an "enemies list" of those who criticized him. He had these enemies targeted for tax audits or trailed by private detectives, and hired the "plumbers" to stop leaks.
FDR's First Lady: Eleanor
Eleanor Roosevelt traveled more than 40,000 miles during FDR's first year as president. "Never before had a first lady taken to the road," says biographer Doris Kearns Goodwin. "She became his legs," says journalist Chalmers Roberts.
Reagan's Age
As the 1984 election approached, many voters voiced their concerned with Reagan's age. At 73, he was already the oldest President in history.
Truman's First Lady: Bess
The spotlight did not appeal to Bess Truman. "She would return home to Independence as often as possible, leaving the President feeling very alone, often desolate," says historian David McCullough. "It's hard for some people to understand what she was like, and why the President was so devoted to her."
Reagan and Lying: Arms for Hostages
Despite his firm stand against dealing with terrorists, in November 1986 Reagan admitted that arms had been shipped to Iran but denied that the arms were a trade for hostages.
Carter on Lying: Campaigning on Honesty
Jimmy Carter campaigned on a platform on honesty at a time when the nation sorely needed it. "The country had been through a horrible time, and Jimmy Carter represented honesty and decency," said journalist John Farrell.
FDR on Lying: Creating a Reason to Go to War
President Roosevelt did not tell Congress or the American people the truth behind the Greer incident that led to US involvement in World War II. "I am perfectly willing to mislead and tell untruths if it will help win the war," FDR told a friend.
LBJ and Age: A Young Leader
In 1954, with the Republicans in control of the White House, the Democrats gained control of the Senate, making Lyndon Johnson the youngest Majority Leader ever. He was 46 years old.
Nixon and Age: The Kennedy Style
The Nixon-Kennedy debates would forever change the way Americans chose their Presidents.
Carter and Military Service: Nuclear Submarine Officer
Jimmy Carter learned punctuality, discipline, and order from his time in the Navy. Six years of hard work earned him the position of Senior Officer of the U.S.S. Seawolf.
FDR on Policing the World: Hitler's Threat
In 1938, Roosevelt faced growing aggression from Hitler, and broadcast a personal appeal to the German leader, asking him to halt further assaults. In reply, Hitler ridiculed the president with withering sarcasm.
Truman, FDR and Age: A Careful Choice for Vice President
The focus was on the Vice Presidency during the 1944 Democratic National Convention. "It was in the minds of many delegates that whoever was nominated for Vice President could very well become President within the next four years," said Senator Harry Byrd.
HW Bush on Policing the World: War in the Persian Gulf
HW Bush acted to initiate a war in Iraq instead of imposing economic sanctions, drawing criticism from the American people and members of Congress.
LBJ on the Economy: War on Poverty
President Johnson took on the economy by waging a "war on poverty." "His vision was of helping the disadvantaged to help themselves," Robert Dallek says.
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