Tells the stories behind fifteen major decisions made by U.S. presidents that influenced the course of history, including Thomas Jefferson's purchase of the Louisiana Territory, Richard Nixon's visit to China, and Ronald Reagan's characterization of the Soviet Union as an "evil empire."

Washington puts down the Whiskey Rebellion -- Thomas Jefferson purchases the Louisiana Territory -- Andrew Jackson rejects nullification -- Lincoln signs the Emancipation Proclamation -- Teddy Roosevelt builds the Panama Canal -- Woodrow Wilson and the League of Nations -- Franklin Roosevelt and the lend-lease program -- Truman drops the bomb -- Truman fires MacArthur -- Eisenhower, Kennedy, and the race to the moon -- Lyndon Johnson and civil rights -- Richard Nixon visits China -- Ford pardons Nixon -- Ronald Reagan and the evil empire -- Barack Obama takes on healthcare reform.