Terry Gross

Rick Perlstein's book, Nixonland, combines an evocative trip through the 1960s and early 1970s with an assessment of the impact of Richard Nixon's political career. Perstein argues that many of the deep political divisions in modern American politics were defined by that period, and exploited effectively by Nixon.

Brett Morgan's film, Chicago 10, uses a combination of archival footage, animation and music to tell the story of eight anti-war protesters who were put on trial following the 1968 Democratic National Convention.

Scott McClellan succeeded Ari Fleischer as George W. Bush's press secretary, serving from 2003 until 2006.

Marlin Fitzwater spent 17 years as a government employee before being appointed White House press secretary under Ronald Reagan. He also worked for George H. W. Bush.

Joe Lockhart assumed the role of Bill Clinton's press secretary in October 1998, just in time for a White House nightmare: Clinton's impeachment trial.

Ari Fleischer served as White House press secretary under president George W. Bush from 2001 to 2003, acting as the administration's primary spokesperson during and after the events of September 11th, and at the beginning of the Iraq War.

Scholar Randall Balmer explores the interplay between religion and American politics in his book, God in the White House. Balmer is a professor of religious history at Barnard College, and the editor-at-large for Christianity Today.

After he won the presidency, Abraham Lincoln brought three of his rivals for the Republican nomination into his cabinet. Historian Doris Kearns Goodwin's book, Team of Rivals, recounts the life and work of our 16th president — and the principal characters of his administration.

President's daily conversations shed light on the aftermath of the Kennedy assassination, the progress of the civil rights bill and the escalation of the Vietnam War.

Mort Sahl has skewered presidents from Eisenhower through George W. Bush. The political comedian broke ground back in the late 1950s and early 1960s as a stand-up who looked to the day's headlines for his routines rather than relying on one-liners.