The Presidents: America’s Best and Worst Chief Executives

The crucible of the presidency has forged some of the very best and very worst leaders in our nation’s history.

In C-SPAN’s new book, The Presidents: Noted Historians Rank America's Best—and Worst—Chief Executives, noted scholars and presidential biographers provide a complete ranking of our presidents and delve into the stories and analyses that capture the character of these leaders. From Abraham Lincoln’s political savvy and rhetorical gifts to James Buchanan’s indecisiveness, we learn about what makes a great leader—and what does not.

Join us as contributors Michael Gerhardt, scholar-in-residence at the National Constitution Center, author and journalist Robert Strauss, and Jeffrey Rosen, president and CEO of the National Constitution Center, discuss the presidents, why we rank presidents, and the significance of the executive office. Brian Lamb, chairman of C-SPAN, moderates. Presented in partnership with C-SPAN.