American Experience

A Place Beyond the Sky begins in 1957 and tracks the early years of the space race as the United States struggles to catch up with the Soviet Union.

Earthrise covers 1964-1968, four heady, dangerous years in the history of the space race, focusing on the events surrounding the Apollo 1 and Apollo 8 missions.

Magnificent Desolation, which covers 1969-1970, takes Americans to the moon and back. The final episode also considers what happens to scientific and engineering programs - and to a country - after national goals have been achieved.

Part one chronicles George W. Bush’s unorthodox road to the White House, as he won the most contested race in the nation’s history. Bush’s response to the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001 defined a new era in American foreign policy.

Part two opens with the ensuing war in Iraq and continues through George W. Bush’s second term, as the President confronts the devastating impact of Hurricane Katrina and the most serious financial crisis since the Great Depression.

The fascinating story of Elizebeth Smith Friedman, the groundbreaking cryptanalyst.