Our first Viking president! it's James Garfield. He is not very well known, but perhaps he is a hidden gem. Find out how his adventures on the seven seas went, his time during the war and discover just exactly why that money was 'resting' in his account.
We are very lucky this week to be talking to the writers of the amazing 1865 podcast, an audio drama set in the aftermath of the assassination of Lincoln. Steven Walters and Erik Archilla have spent years getting into the heads of the characters of that time, including Lincoln and Johnson, so we decided to ask them their thoughts on the two presidents we have ranked best and worst so far respectively.
Hayes has lived a life of happiness, kittens and rainbows so far - but now the Rock of Hayes’ optimism is about the hit the Hard Place of post war America. Something will have to give: either Hayes’ sunny perspective on life, or an increasingly corrupt, racist and divided govenment. Take your bets…
Rutherford B Hayes may not be the first name that comes to mind when you think of presidents, but he was the first with a good beard. He also, in his own words, was the sunniest man around. No event is too tragic for Rutherford not to meet with a smile and a note in his diary. Find out just what he was so cheerful about!
AUDIO: It would seem Jamie's mic dropped out during recording resulting in him seemingly recording his part from a small tin box. I've done the best i can to boost he volume, but I'm afraid he is a bit quiet throughout.
Grant has won the civil war for the US, but now the peace needs to be won - and that apparently is a lot harder job. Surrounded by corrupt businessmen politicians, Grant wants to use his presidency to make the country a better place. But unfortunately the real world gets in the way...
During the Civil war, Lincoln needed someone, anyone, who would fight. Enter a general with a Greek name, a taste for drink and a 'bigger picture' attitude. Known as Hiram, Ulysses, Sam, 'Unconditional Surrender' and 'The Butcher', Grant went by many names, but who was he? Find out!
The country is torn apart, the war may be over but the president is dead - in steps Johnson; it is up to him to make sure that all the pain and suffering is not for nothing- that the country can learn from its mistakes and move forward. Sorry, he’s doing what? Oh dear…
There was once a man born to humble beginning who managed to rise up and lead a nation through its most troubled times. His name was Lincoln. Johnson was born to humble beginnings also. About the same time as Lincoln. So he'll be as good. Yeah?
The war is on! The south want to secede and carry on enslaving people, the north want the south to stay (and mostly carry on enslaving people). However, Lincoln is more and more thinking that this whole slavery thing is a bad idea. If only he could get at least one half decent general and win the war, perhaps he could put an end to it…
It's a big one! A young axe-wielding turkey-murderer set out one day to find his fortune - little did he know that his path would lead him to become the president of a country on the verge of civil war. But just how did Abraham get there? How was he with the ladies? Did he tell a ripping good yearn? was he really all that honest? Find out in this week's Totalus Rankium (With improved sound!)
