Chapter 1, Part 1, George W. Bush, American Experience, PBS

Learn more about GEORGE W. BUSH including where to watch the documentary: The latest addition to AMERICAN EXPERIENCEs Peabody Awardwinning series of presidential biographies, this twopart, fourhour look at the life and presidency of George W. Bush features interviews with historians, journalists and several members of the presidents inner circle. Part One chronicles Bushs unorthodox road to the White House. The once wild son of a political dynasty, few expected Bush to ascend to the presidency. Yet 36 days after the November 2000 election, Bush emerged the victor of the most hotly contested race in the nation s history. Little in the new presidents past could have prepared him for the events that unfolded on September 11, 2001. Thrust into the role of war president, Bush s response to the deadly terrorist attack would come to define a new era in American foreign policy. Part Two opens with the ensuing war in Ir