S1.E8 ∙ The High and the Mighty

The stirring true story of Franklin D. Roosevelt's battle with polio in 1921.

Judge Clarence Thomas' nomination to the United States Supreme Court is called into question when Anita Hill, a former colleague, testifies that he sexually harassed her.

An unusual woman, a dramatic life: Bertha von Suttner never had it easy. Although she was born as Countess Kinsky and was highly educated, she and her family do not enjoy a good reputation. At the age of 30 she worked as a teacher in the house of Baron von Suttner. When Bertha and Arthur, the seven years younger son, fall in love, it is a scandal for the family. The relationship is torn apart and in 1876 Bertha hastily placed as a private secretary to the eccentric chemist Alfred Nobel in Paris. An encounter that will not only change both lives, but the world. Bertha gets along with the solitary inventor straight away, both are fascinated by each other. They have endless conversations, including about his groundbreaking invention: dynamite. But before Nobel proposes to the headstrong Bertha, Arthur bursts into her life again, disinherited and rejected, but Bertha runs off with him and marries him. Despite her decision, she maintains intensive correspondence with Alfred Nobel and thus her unique friendship. She moves to the Caucasus with Arthur and experiences the Russo-Turkish War in 1877. Bertha and Arthur see horrible pictures that they can no longer get rid of. Bertha begins to write, with success. But after years of wasteland she wants to "go back to life", misses the intellectual exchange, is keen on new literature. After ten years, she met Alfred Nobel again in Paris and made first contacts with peace associations. Her next novel brought her world fame: "Put your arms down!", The war from a woman's point of view, describes the suffering that is associated with it. An unfulfilled love remains between the great peace fighter Bertha von Suttner and Alfred Nobel, but it ultimately inspires Alfred Nobel to write a unique will: he donates the Nobel Prize with his fortune. 1905 was the first woman to receive the Nobel Peace Prize: Bertha von Suttner.

Though considered unqualified, Harry S. Truman becomes the 33rd president following the April 1945 death of Franklin D. Roosevelt.

Prime Minister of Great Britain Benjamin Disraeli outwits the subterfuge of the Russians and chicanery at home in order to secure the purchase of the Suez Canal.

A biographical story of Serbian King Aleksandar I Karadjordjevic.