This resource uses primary documents and contextualizing essays to illuminate how America's presidents have responded to major tests of their leadership and approached their role and responsibilities in times of national crisis.

• Provides readers with an understanding of the dynamics that shaped presidential responses to crises and disasters in American history

• Allows readers to hear directly from presidents during times of national crisis, uncertainty, and mourning through primary documents

• Provides important information about the circumstances and settings in which the presidents made their statements to the American people (and the wider world) in contextual headnotes for each primary source

• Contextualizes the extent and limits of presidential authority and influence in times of national crisis, scandal, disaster, or tragedy in introductory essays from the author