Presidential Potpourri

Christopher Stark

A snippet of each president's character - good and bad. 

Episodes

  1. 6d ago

    James Polk and Manifest Destiny

    James Polk References  Merry, R. W. (2009). A country of vast designs: James K. Polk, the Mexican War and the Conquest of the American Continent. Simon & Schuster. Seigenthaler, J. (2004). James K. Polk (A. M. Schlesinger Jr., Ed.). Times Books. Bauer, K. J. (1985). Zachary Taylor: Soldier, planter, statesman of the old Southwest. Louisiana State University Press.  Eisenhower, J. S. D. (2008). Zachary Taylor (A. M. Schlesinger Jr., Ed.). Times Books. Leahy, C. J. (2020). President without a party: The life of John Tyler. LSU Press May, G. (2008). John Tyler: The 10th president, 1841–1845 (A. M. Schlesinger Jr. & S. Wilentz, Eds.). Henry Holt and Company.  Widmer, T. (2005). Martin Van Buren: The American Presidents Series: The 8th president, 1837–1841. Times Books. Boulard, G. (2015). The worst president: The story of James Buchanan. iUniverse.  Baker, J. H. (2004). James Buchanan (A. M. Schlesinger, Jr., Ed.). Times Books. Meacham, J. (2008). American lion: Andrew Jackson in the White House. Random House Moser, H. D. (2018, March 7). Andrew Jackson. Tennessee Encyclopedia. Retrieved September 19, 2026, from http://tennesseeencyclopedia.net/entries/andrew-jackson Meacham, J. (2026). American struggle: Democracy, dissent, and the pursuit of a more perfect union: An anthology. Random House Blight, D. W. (2018). Frederick Douglass: Prophet of Freedom. Simon & Schuster. Dickey, J. D. (2014). Empire of mud: The secret history of Washington, DC. Lyons Press Winik, J. (2006). April 1865: The Month That Saved America. Harper Perennial Tyler, R. (2021, June 8). Was James K. Polk a great president? Considering the war with Mexico. Teaching American History: https://teachingamericanhistory.org/was-james-k-polk-a-great-president-considering-the-war-with-mexico/ President James K. Polk Home and Museum. (n.d.). History of James K. Polk: https://jameskpolk.com/history/james-k-polk/ Pinheiro, J. C. (n.d.). James K. Polk. Miller Center of Public Affairs, University of Virginia. https://millercenter.org/president/polk The Editors of Encyclopedia Britannica. (n.d.). When was the term Manifest Destiny coined? Encyclopedia Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/question/When-was-the-term-Manifest-Destiny-coined  Kestenbaum, L. (2025, February 17). 1844 Democratic National Convention. The Political Graveyard. https://politicalgraveyard.com/parties/D/1844/index.html  Library of Congress. (n.d.). John Tyler timeline. https://www.loc.gov/collections/john-tyler-papers/articles-and-essays/timelinehttps://www.si.edu/object/john-tyler%3Anpg_NPG.70.23  Summers, R. S. (n.d.). Presidential heights. Presidents of the United States (POTUS). https://potus.com/presidential-facts/presidential-heights/ National Museum of American History. (n.d.). Mexican war. Smithsonian Institution. https://americanhistory.si.edu/explore/exhibitions/price-of-freedom/online/mexican-war Andrews, E. (2025, May 28). 10 things you may not know about the Mexican-American War. History. https://www.history.com/articles/10-things-you-may-not-know-about-the-mexican-american-war Miller Center. (n.d.). James K. Polk: Key events. University of Virginia. https://millercenter.org/president/james-k-polk/key-events Shapell Manuscript Foundation. (n.d.). President James K. Polk says he is doing better, just needs to rest - and dies one month later [Manuscript]. https://www.shapell.org/manuscript/president-james-k-polk-says-he-just-needs-a-rest-and-dies-one-month-later/    Did each President care about the country more than his own interests?

  2. Oct 5

    Tippecanoe and Tyler, Too

    First Time: A President Dies in Office  References - William Henry Harrison and John Tyler Collins, G. (2012). William Henry Harrison (A. M. Schlesinger, Jr. & S. Wilentz, Eds.). Times Books; Henry Holt and Company. [1, 2, 3] Owens, R. M. (2007). Mr. Jefferson's hammer: William Henry Harrison and the origins of American Indian policy. University of Oklahoma Press Leahy, C. J. (2020). President without a party: The life of John Tyler. LSU Press May, G. (2008). John Tyler: The 10th president, 1841–1845 (A. M. Schlesinger Jr. & S. Wilentz, Eds.). Henry Holt and Company.  Widmer, T. (2005). Martin Van Buren: The American Presidents Series: The 8th president, 1837–1841. Times Books. (2024). Martin Van Buren: America's first politician. Oxford University Press. [1, 2] Bernstein, P. L. (2005). Wedding of the waters: The Erie canal and the making of a great nation. W. W. Norton & Company. Blight, D. W. (2018). Frederick Douglass: Prophet of Freedom. Simon & Schuster. Meacham, J. (2008). American lion: Andrew Jackson in the White House. Random House Moser, H. D. (2018, March 7). Andrew Jackson. Tennessee Encyclopedia. Retrieved September 19, 2026, from http://tennesseeencyclopedia.net/entries/andrew-jackson Smith, M. B. (1906). The first forty years of Washington society: Portrayed by the family letters of Mrs. Samuel Harrison Smith (Margaret Bayard) (G. Hunt, Ed.). [The First Forty Years of Washington Society]. C. Scribner's Sons Merry, R. W. (2009). A country of vast designs: James K. Polk, the Mexican War, and the conquest of the American continent. Simon & Schuster. [1, 2] Traub, J. (2016). John Quincy Adams: Militant spirit. Basic Books Nagel, P. C. (1997). John Quincy Adams: A public life, a private life. Alfred A. Knopf. Meacham, J. (2026). American struggle: Democracy, dissent, and the pursuit of a more perfect union: An anthology. Random House Dickey, J. D. (2014). Empire of mud: The secret history of Washington, DC. Lyons Press Winik, J. (2006). April 1865: The Month That Saved America. Harper Perennial Letitia Tyler » National First Ladies Greenway Plantation. (2026, September 5). In Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greenway_Plantation  Virginia Museum of History & Culture. (n.d.). Richmond, Fredericksburg and Potomac Railroad Company, 1837–1983 (Collection No. Mss3 R4152 b FA2) [Finding aid]. https://virginiahistory.org/research/research-resources/finding-aids/richmond-fredericksburg-and-potomac-railroad-company-1837-1983  Library of Congress. (n.d.). John Tyler timeline. https://www.loc.gov/collections/john-tyler-papers/articles-and-essays/timelinehttps://www.si.edu/object/john-tyler%3Anpg_NPG.70.23  Pusey, A. (2019, April 1). April 6, 1841: John Tyler inaugurates precedential succession. ABA Journal.https://www.abajournal.com/magazine/article/precedents-1841-tyler-succeeds-harrison  Miller Center. (n.d.). John Tyler: Key events. https://millercenter.org/president/john-tyler/key-events Leahy, C. J. (n.d.). President Tyler. Sherwood Forest. https://www.sherwoodforest.org/president-tyler  Blackman, A. (2005, October). Fatal cruise of the Princeton. Naval History Magazine, 19(5). https://www.usni.org/magazines/naval-history-magazine/2005/october/fatal-cruise-princeton  Did each President care about the country more than his own interests?

  3. Sep 28

    Presidents 8-15 perpetuated slavery. Meet #8, Martin Van Buren

    Presidents 8-15 perpetuated slavery. Meet #8, Martin Van Buren  References  Widmer, T. (2005). Martin Van Buren: The American Presidents Series: The 8th president, 1837–1841. Times Books. (2024). Martin Van Buren: America's first politician. Oxford University Press. [1, 2] White House. (n.d.). Hannah Hoes Van Buren. whitehouse.gov  Bernstein, P. L. (2005). Wedding of the waters: The Erie canal and the making of a great nation. W. W. Norton & Company. Blight, D. W. (2018). Frederick Douglass: Prophet of Freedom. Simon & Schuster. Meacham, J. (2008). American lion: Andrew Jackson in the White House. Random House Moser, H. D. (2018, March 7). Andrew Jackson. Tennessee Encyclopedia. Retrieved September 19, 2026, from http://tennesseeencyclopedia.net/entries/andrew-jackson Smith, M. B. (1906). The first forty years of Washington society: Portrayed by the family letters of Mrs. Samuel Harrison Smith (Margaret Bayard) (G. Hunt, Ed.). [The First Forty Years of Washington Society]. C. Scribner's Sons Merry, R. W. (2009). A country of vast designs: James K. Polk, the Mexican War, and the conquest of the American continent. Simon & Schuster. [1, 2] Traub, J. (2016). John Quincy Adams: Militant spirit. Basic Books Nagel, P. C. (1997). John Quincy Adams: A public life, a private life. Alfred A. Knopf. Meacham, J. (2026). American struggle: Democracy, dissent, and the pursuit of a more perfect union: An anthology. Random House Dickey, J. D. (2014). Empire of mud: The secret history of Washington, DC. Lyons Press Leahy, C. J. (2020). President without a party: The life of John Tyler. LSU Press Did each President care about the country more than his own interests?

  4. Sep 24

    Do you really know Andrew Jackson?

    Do you really know Andrew Jackson?  References  Meacham, J. (2008). American lion: Andrew Jackson in the White House. Random House Moser, H. D. (2018, March 7). Andrew Jackson. Tennessee Encyclopedia. Retrieved September 19, 2026, from http://tennesseeencyclopedia.net/entries/andrew-jackson Smith, M. B. (1906). The first forty years of Washington society: Portrayed by the family letters of Mrs. Samuel Harrison Smith (Margaret Bayard) (G. Hunt, Ed.). [The First Forty Years of Washington Society]. C. Scribner's Sons (2024). Martin Van Buren: America's first politician. Oxford University Press. [1, 2] Merry, R. W. (2009). A country of vast designs: James K. Polk, the Mexican War, and the conquest of the American continent. Simon & Schuster. [1, 2] Traub, J. (2016). John Quincy Adams: Militant spirit. Basic Books Nagel, P. C. (1997). John Quincy Adams: A public life, a private life. Alfred A. Knopf. McGrath, T. (2020). James Monroe: A Life. Dutton Meacham, J. (2026). American struggle: Democracy, dissent, and the pursuit of a more perfect union: An anthology. Random House Dickey, J. D. (2014). Empire of mud: The secret history of Washington, DC. Lyons Press Thomas, L. (2016). Louisa: The extraordinary life of Mrs. Adams. Penguin Press Leahy, C. J. (2020). President without a party: The life of John Tyler. LSU Press   Did each President care about the country more than his own interests?

  5. Sep 20

    Incredible lives: John Quincy and Louisa Adams

    JQA Battles Slaveocracy, Louisa takes the most adventurous trip of any first lady and a little about the Corrupt Bargain  References  Traub, J. (2016). John Quincy Adams: Militant spirit. Basic Books Nagel, P. C. (1997). John Quincy Adams: A public life, a private life. Alfred A. Knopf. Thomas, L. (2016). Louisa: The extraordinary life of Mrs. Adams. Penguin Press Meacham, J. (2008). American lion: Andrew Jackson in the White House. Random House McGrath, T. (2020). James Monroe: A Life. Dutton Brookhiser, R. (2011). James Madison. Basic Books Cost, J. (2021). James Madison: America's first partisan. Basic Books. Gutzman, K. R. C. (2012). James Madison and the making of America. St. Martin's Press Larson, E. J. A Magnificent Catastrophe: The Tumultuous Election of 1800, America's First Presidential Campaign. Free Press. Meacham, J. (2012). Thomas Jefferson: The art of power. Random House. Gordon-Reed, A. (1997). Thomas Jefferson and Sally Hemings: An American controversy. University Press of Virginia. Chervinsky, L. M. (2020). The cabinet: George Washington and the creation of an American institution. Harvard University Press. McCullough, D. (2001). John Adams. Simon & Schuster. Ellis, J. J. (1993). Passionate sage: The character and legacy of John Adams. W. W. Norton & Company. Chernow, R. (2010). Washington: A life. Penguin Books. Winik, J. (2007). The great upheaval: America and the birth of the modern world, 1788–1800. HarperCollins. Dickey, J. D. (2014). Empire of mud: The secret history of Washington, DC. Lyons Press Smith, M. B. (1906). The first forty years of Washington society: Portrayed by the family letters of Mrs. Samuel Harrison Smith (Margaret Bayard) (G. Hunt, Ed.). [The First Forty Years of Washington Society]. C. Scribner's Sons Did each President care about the country more than his own interests?

  6. Sep 14

    Interesting lives: James and Elizabeth Monroe

    See how James and Elizabeth Monroe rescued the wife of the Marquis de Lafayette    References  McGrath, T. (2020). James Monroe: A Life. Dutton Traub, J. (2016). John Quincy Adams: Militant spirit. Basic Books Nagel, P. C. (1997). John Quincy Adams: A public life, a private life. Alfred A. Knopf. Brookhiser, R. (2011). James Madison. Basic Books Cost, J. (2021). James Madison: America's first partisan. Basic Books. Gutzman, K. R. C. (2012). James Madison and the making of America. St. Martin's Press Larson, E. J. A Magnificent Catastrophe: The Tumultuous Election of 1800, America's First Presidential Campaign. Free Press. Meacham, J. (2012). Thomas Jefferson: The art of power. Random House. Gordon-Reed, A. (1997). Thomas Jefferson and Sally Hemings: An American controversy. University Press of Virginia. Chervinsky, L. M. (2020). The cabinet: George Washington and the creation of an American institution. Harvard University Press. McCullough, D. (2001). John Adams. Simon & Schuster. Ellis, J. J. (1993). Passionate sage: The character and legacy of John Adams. W. W. Norton & Company. Chernow, R. (2010). Washington: A life. Penguin Books. Winik, J. (2007). The great upheaval: America and the birth of the modern world, 1788–1800. HarperCollins.   Did each President care about the country more than his own interests?

  7. Sep 11

    James and Dolley Madison

    James scored big when Dolley entered his life  References  Brookhiser, R. (2011). James Madison. Basic Books Cost, J. (2021). James Madison: America's first partisan. Basic Books. Gutzman, K. R. C. (2012). James Madison and the making of America. St. Martin's Press Larson, E. J. A Magnificent Catastrophe: The Tumultuous Election of 1800, America's First Presidential Campaign. Free Press. Meacham, J. (2012). Thomas Jefferson: The art of power. Random House. Gordon-Reed, A. (1997). Thomas Jefferson and Sally Hemings: An American controversy. University Press of Virginia. Chervinsky, L. M. (2020). The cabinet: George Washington and the creation of an American institution. Harvard University Press. McCullough, D. (2001). John Adams. Simon & Schuster. Ellis, J. J. (1993). Passionate sage: The character and legacy of John Adams. W. W. Norton & Company. McGrath, T. (2020). James Monroe: A Life. Dutton Chernow, R. (2010). Washington: A life. Penguin Books. Winik, J. (2007). The great upheaval: America and the birth of the modern world, 1788–1800. HarperCollins.   Did each President care about the country more than his own interests?

  8. Sep 6

    Thomas Jefferson (and Sally Hemings, too)

    References  Meacham, J. (2012). Thomas Jefferson: The art of power. Random House.  Gordon-Reed, A. (1997). Thomas Jefferson and Sally Hemings: An American controversy. University Press of Virginia.  Larson, E. J. A Magnificent Catastrophe: The Tumultuous Election of 1800, America's First Presidential Campaign. Free Press.  Chervinsky, L. M. (2020). The cabinet: George Washington and the creation of an American institution. Harvard University Press.  McCullough, D. (2001). John Adams. Simon & Schuster.  Ellis, J. J. (1993). Passionate sage: The character and legacy of John Adams. W. W. Norton & Company.  McGrath, T. (2020). James Monroe: A Life. Dutton  Chernow, R. (2010). Washington: A life. Penguin Books.  Winik, J. (2007). The great upheaval: America and the birth of the modern world, 1788–1800. HarperCollins.  Brookhiser, R. (2011). James Madison. Basic Books  Cost, J. (2021). James Madison: America's first partisan. Basic Books.  Did each President care about the country more than his own interests?

  9. Sep 1

    John and Abigail Adams

    References  McCullough, D. (2001). John Adams. Simon & Schuster.  Ellis, J. J. (1993). Passionate sage: The character and legacy of John Adams. W. W. Norton & Company.  John Quincy Adams: Militant spirit. Basic Books. [1]  Chernow, R. (2010). Washington: A life. Penguin Books.  Larson, E. J. A Magnificent Catastrophe: The Tumultuous Election of 1800, America's First Presidential Campaign. Free Press.  Winik, J. (2007). The great upheaval: America and the birth of the modern world, 1788–1800. HarperCollins.  Marchick, D., Tippett, A., & Wilson, A. J. (2022). The peaceful transfer of power: An oral history of America's presidential transitions. University of Virginia Press.  Chervinsky, L. M. (2020). The cabinet: George Washington and the creation of an American institution. Harvard University Press.  Thomas, L. (2016). Louisa: The extraordinary life of Mrs. Adams. Penguin Press. [1]  Meacham, J. (2012). Thomas Jefferson: The art of power. Random House.  Brookhiser, R. (2011). James Madison. Basic Books  Cost, J. (2021). James Madison: America's first partisan. Basic Books.  Hamilton, A., Madison, J., & Jay, J. (2014). The federalist papers (L. Goldman, Ed.). Oxford University Press. (Original work published 1787–1788).  Did each President care about the country more than his own interests?

  10. Aug 27

    George Washington and the Power of Silence

    References  Winik, J. (2001). April 1865: The month that saved America. HarperCollins. Chernow, R. (2010). Washington: A life. Penguin Books. Larson, E. J. A Magnificent Catastrophe: The Tumultuous Election of 1800, America's First Presidential Campaign. Free Press. Winik, J. (2007). The great upheaval: America and the birth of the modern world, 1788–1800. HarperCollins. McGrath, T. (2020). James Monroe: A life. Dutton Marchick, D., Tippett, A., & Wilson, A. J. (2022). The peaceful transfer of power: An oral history of America's presidential transitions. University of Virginia Press. Chervinsky, L. M. (2020). The cabinet: George Washington and the creation of an American institution. Harvard University Press. Cost, J. (2021). James Madison: America's first partisan. Basic Books. McCullough, D. (2001). John Adams. Simon & Schuster. Meacham, J. (2012). Thomas Jefferson: The art of power. Random House. Brookhiser, R. (2011). James Madison. Basic Books Hamilton, A., Madison, J., & Jay, J. (2014). The federalist papers (L. Goldman, Ed.). Oxford University Press. (Original work published 1787–1788). Ellis, J. J. (1993). Passionate sage: The character and legacy of John Adams. W. W. Norton & Company. Did each President care about the country more than his own interests?

  11. Aug 25

    The Six Characteristics of the Best Presidents

    An introductory  deep dive into the personalities of the American Presidents reveals their character and leadership qualities of the best.  Did each President care about the country more than his own interests?

  • 11 Episodes

About

A snippet of each president's character - good and bad. 

Information

  • Creator
    Christopher Stark
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    11
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Presidential Potpourri
  • Show Website
    Presidential Potpourri

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