American Presidents: Totalus Rankium

Surprise episode! Every handful of episodes, we are going to check in with some genuine Americans and see if they agree (roughly) with our scores. First up is the fantastic gentlemen from People Vs POTUS discussing the presidents Washington - Jackson. Check out their podcast here: https://peoplevspotus.podbean.com

After New Orleans, Jackson finds himself one of the most popular men in the country. He has a head full of idea as to how the country should be run, and it starts with those in power not being in power any more. What does this mean for the Republic? Find out as we rate Andrew Jackson, one of the most controversial presidents.

We now arrive at one of the more controversial presidents in US history: Jackson has a bit of a, shall we say, reputation. In this episode we explore his early life and his rise up to the battle that made him famous. Was he a controversial man before he became president? Find out!

After spending some time getting to know the Tzar and the war torn countries of Europe, John finds himself back home. He has plans. Big plans. He can see just how to make the US as rich in culture, and as strong economically as Europe. All he has to do is get people to stop laughing at him. And if only that oaf Jackson would just go away...

It’s not easy when your father is one of the most important men in the (albeit short) history of your country. There is a lot of pressure on young JQA to get it right. So after learning all the languages, and understanding Milton and getting to (ahem) know the locals in Sweden, he is hoping his life will get on track. If only he could sort his handwriting out…

Monroe arrives back home to find that his so-called friends are not being nice enough to him. But he will show them! he will run for president! He will- ah, ok. Maybe not this time. But who knows? Maybe this war will convince people he is the man for the top job…

It’s tough being the poor boy in the class, even when you own hundreds of acres of land and dozens of slaves. But one day the young James Monroe was shot in the shoulder. Then everything started to come together - The great George Washington knows him, he is becoming friends with Thomas Jefferson, and he can shoot a squirrel at a 100 yards. With these attributes behind him, the sky is the limit.

It's time Madison meets Dolly. Fed up with politics, this wonderful woman reinvigerates Madison's zeal for political life. And he will need that zeal. Because the British and coming! The British are coming! With any luck they will be too distracted by Nepoleon's invas - what's that? Nepoleon's defeated? Oh dear...

Slight, small and stiff. This is how Madison was described by his contemporaries (about his personality - get your mind out the gutter). However, those that underestimated him soon learned: sharp things often come in small packages. Find out how Madison overcame his doubts and fear over his health to rise to become the co-leader of ‘Madison’s Party’. Oh, just hide any pets you may have…

Thomas becomes secretary of state after getting back from France, and from then on he is at the centre of Us politics. But how does he do? He has a dream of an agrarian utopia, but are his cheeses big enough? Are there too many Megalonyxs? Why have pirate declared war on them? And what is Burr up to now? Jefferson will have to overcome many obstacles if he wants to score high in this episode.

This week we learn of the life of the third president up until his appointment as the secretary of state. Find out how Thomas came to write the Declaration of Independence, how he failed to ask someone to marry him, and how he often failed to be a decent human being while at the same time coming up with some fantastic ideas linked to freedom.

Adams arrives in Europe with his son, determined to get the fench on side with his team of diplomates. One problem: he hates his team, and he doesn't trust the french... In this episode, find out exactly how much John did to shape the role of Vice President, and how he was politically beaten up by his own party more than anyone else. He had a lot to live u to after Washington - find out if he is an A-meri-CAN, or A-meri-can't.

We start our look at the second president of the United States, the one and only John Adams (apart from the other John Adams who comes a bit later). In this episode we go from his childhood fishing, playing marbles and rearranging cattle, up to his adventures crossing the ocean blue on his way to France. Join us on a tale of love, betrayal, courtroom drama and pirates!

We finish off Washington’s busy life by looking into how he went from winning the war, to being president. It was not an easy journey - there was political infighting, rebellions, the French, the British and so many distracting ladies. How is one supposed to set up a brand new republic in such conditions?

So we begin! We start with George Washington pt.1 (from birth to the end of the War of Independence). If George wanted to be anything, it was to be a Proper Gentleman. He new all the rules: Work hard, stiff upper lip, don't brush your teeth with the tablecloth etc. Things were going... ok... But then a meeting was called to discuss those damned British. And Washington had just had that lovely blue uniform made...

Hello! Welcome to the start of our exciting new podcast. We are going to decide just how interesting each president was. How were they as a statesman? Any scandal? How would their life play out as a film? What is their portrait like? This is a lighthearted look through US history where we search for all those interesting facts about the men who shaped a global superpower. This episode however, looks at the time before the presidents. Find out what the people of Jamestown ate after they ran out of shoe leather, why the 50th thanksgiving must have been awkward (apart from it not being a thing back then) and just how unimaginative were the colonists when it came to naming things.

This is just a quick intro recorded after we got to the end just to keep people updated on what we are doing.