Steven M. Gillon

The Civil War ends and America desperately needs leadership. The president who'd seen the nation through its most divisive conflict is dead, leaving no road map for peace.

The United States of America is a bold invention of enormous risk. This democracy in a world ruled by kings and emperors is a new experiment with three branches.

Since the end of the Civil War, Congress and the deep pockets of Big Industry have dictated the course for the nation, but one president fights for the common man, just as a grisly international fight begins.

The era of the Founding Fathers coming to an end. Over the next 25 years, six presidents will reflect the country's sometimes uneasy transition from old traditions to an expansion of land, influence, and opportunity.

Moments after the President of the United States is sworn into office, he gains access to the "Nuclear Football," a briefcase that contains the most volatile top-secret information in the world: America's nuclear launch codes.

By the mid-1800s, America is triple its original size thanks to bold but controversial decisions by presidents such as Jefferson, Jackson, and Polk. But the question of slavery must be addressed.