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Presidential Fight Club
James Early and Scott Rank
Historians have ranked U.S. presidents on leadership, economic management, and pursuing justice, but they have never asked themselves which one could beat up all the others. This show will change that. Hosted by two history professors—James Early and Scott Rank—this is an NCAA-style tournament in which all presidents fight each other one-on-one until there is one champion. You'll see Barack Obama fight William Howard Taft (who literally weights twice as much), Abraham Lincoln try to knock the wooden teeth out of George Washington, and several other rumbles among the commander-in-chiefs.
James and Scott narrate each of these 44 fights by comparing the physical abilities of each president, military experience, and special abilities that would help them win. Did they have combat training? Were they generals? Were they ex-wrestlers? The presidents are also ranked how well they would do in hand-to-hand combat at about the age of 35 (no, FDR won’t be fighting as a polio-riddled man in a wheelchair).
James and Scott narrate each of these 44 fights by comparing the physical abilities of each president, military experience, and special abilities that would help them win. Did they have combat training? Were they generals? Were they ex-wrestlers? The presidents are also ranked how well they would do in hand-to-hand combat at about the age of 35 (no, FDR won’t be fighting as a polio-riddled man in a wheelchair).
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Epilogue: Is There a Connection Between Fighting Ability and Being a Great President?
July 21, 2018 - 17 min
In this postscript to the Presidential Fight Club, James and Scott discuss whether the qualities that make a president a good fighter also make him a good leader. Spoiler alert: We mostly agree that it does.
The Final Match
July 20, 2018 - 10 min
We are at the end of the tournament! After 43 battles, with the arena littered with the battered and bruised presidents who lost, only two remain standing. Who will be victorious?
Final 4 - Washington vs. Eisenhower
July 19, 2018 - 12 min
George Washington vs. Dwight D. Eisenhower
Final 4 - Teddy Roosevelt vs. Abraham Lincoln
July 18, 2018 - 11 min
We're nearing the end of the tournament and down to our final four contenders! Enjoy this fight between Teddy Roosevelt and Abraham Lincoln
Midwest Regional Final- Gerald Ford vs. Abraham Lincoln
July 17, 2018 - 8 min
Gerald Ford vs. Abraham Lincoln
Midwest Regional Semifinal 2- Gerald Ford vs. James Garfield
July 16, 2018 - 8 min
Gerald Ford vs. James Garfield
Midwest Regional Semifinal 1- Abraham Lincoln vs. William Henry Harrison
July 15, 2018 - 9 min
Abraham Lincoln vs. William Henry Harrison
Midwest Regional 7- James Garfield vs. Rutherford B. Hayes
July 14, 2018 - 8 min
James Garfield vs. Rutherford B. Hayes
Midwest Regional 6- Gerald Ford vs. William Howard Taft
July 13, 2018 - 8 min
Gerald Ford vs. William Howard Taft
Midwest Regional 5- William Henry Harrison vs. William McKinley
July 12, 2018 - 5 min
William Henry Harrison vs. William McKinley
Meet Your Hosts
Meet Your Hosts
James is an Adjunct Professor of History at San Jacinto College in Pasadena, TX. He has published one book and two scholarly articles. He is also the cohost (with Scott Rank) of the Presidential Fight Club, Key Battles of the Civil War, Key Battles of the Revolutionary War, and Key Battles of World War I podcasts.
Meet Your Hosts
Scott Rank is the host of the History Unplugged Podcast and a PhD in history who specialized in the Ottoman Empire and modern Turkey. Before going down the academic route he worked as a journalist in Istanbul. He has written 12 history books on topics ranging from lost Bronze Age civilizations to the Age of Discovery. Some of his books include The Age of Illumination: Science, Technology, and Reason in the Middle Ages and History’s 9 Most Insane Rulers.. Learn more about him by going to scottrankphd.com.
