American Presidents: Totalus Rankium

The war is on! The south want to secede and carry on enslaving people, the north want the south to stay (and mostly carry on enslaving people). However, Lincoln is more and more thinking that this whole slavery thing is a bad idea. If only he could get at least one half decent general and win the war, perhaps he could put an end to it…

It's a big one! A young axe-wielding turkey-murderer set out one day to find his fortune - little did he know that his path would lead him to become the president of a country on the verge of civil war. But just how did Abraham get there? How was he with the ladies? Did he tell a ripping good yearn? was he really all that honest? Find out in this week's Totalus Rankium (With improved sound!) 

Often ranked among the worst of presidents and one of the people who helped bring on the civil war - find out just why this is as Rob explains it to an increasingly angry Jamie. 

James Buchanan has not gone down too well in history. His name is synonymous with the onset of the civil war. But was he really that bad? Well... quite possibly. But just how bad? I mean, his early life, surely that was not too bad? Find out in this week's Totalus Rankium! 

The country is divided, his party is divided, and he has just lost his last son. Pierce has a mammoth task ahead of him - unfortunately for the country, his party, and himself, he is no mammoth hunter. In this episode we cover how Pierce managed to make a couple of moves that does nothing but put the country in more peril.

We have found another genuine American to have a loo over our scores and share a few thoughts. This time it is the very charming and Interesting Jerry Landry from the Presidencies podcast and William Henry Harrison Podcast. Check out his podcasts here: http://presidencies.blubrry.com https://itunes.apple.com/gb/podcast/harrison-podcast/id1139467567?mt=2   

It’s time to look at the fun loving Franklin Pierce. He loves nothing better than rough-housing his friends, having a drink or two and denying the rights of people who wish that slavery didn’t exist, all the the name of unity. What a fun guy! Find out just how exciting his military career was, and just why he seemed a little stressed on his first day as president. 

Fillmore did not get off to the best of starts last episode, so he has a lot to do to win us round this week. Let’s hope he doesn’t sign into law something that enforces a systemic enslaving of an oppressed people, or something like that…

We move on to one of the lesser known presidents in US history. But was this man overlooked? does he deserve more spotlight? ... Probably not. But we are doing them all, so he gets his episodes! 

Taylor has come out on top during the Mexican war, and now is primed to become president. However, Polk hates him, his wife doesn’t want him to get the job and the Whigs are nervous… Is Taylor whiggy enough? Will he follow their plans? Will he tow the party line? And, this is important: will he drop down dead after a month like their last guy?

Who's that man in the tatty hat sitting in the corner? Why, It's General Taylor of course! In between freaking out young officers in his army due to being a master of disguise, Taylor led an interesting life full of tales of death and love. Find out about his life up to the end of the Mexican war in part 1!

Polk is now in office and the youngest man ever to be so. He has declared that he will only serve one term, but he is determined to make his mark. In fact, he has a list: 4 things he wants to achieve. He is sure he can win the eternal fights, but can he take a large chunk of land off both Mexico and Britain at the same time? Find out!   Also, in this episode, we recommend the Presidencies of the United States Podcast.