The Last Days of the Civil War examines pivotal events of 1864 and 1865 as the “war between the states” comes to a close. As with the Revolutionary War DVD set, this one also includes a second DVD with Biography® Channel profiles of Abraham Lincoln, Jefferson Davis, and Robert E. Lee.

The third set in the History Channel Collection is The Presidents. Narrated by actor Edward Hermann and based on the work of Pulitzer Prize winning author James McPherson, this 2005 History Channel series explores the lives of the 43 US presidents through interviews and rare footage. Over three DVDs, each president is viewed within his historical context, providing a fascinating overview of the nation’s history.

Notable journalists, scholars, and politicians help to provide insight into the personal and political lives of the presidents. These include former President Jimmy Carter, General Wesley Clark, iconic newsmen David Brinkley and Walter Cronkite, presidential scholar Ted Sorenson, and many others.

It is fascinating, for example, to watch the segment on John F. Kennedy and recall the events surrounding the disastrous Bay of Pigs affair--and how Kennedy handled the aftermath of that foreign policy fiasco. In taking full responsibility for the failure of the mission, Kennedy earned the respect of the nation. He was changed by the Bay of Pigs; he understood the importance of learning from it and changing the way he managed his presidency. The credibility earned by the acknowledgment of the failure allowed Kennedy to pursue a far-reaching social agenda fueled by an idealism that was the hallmark of his short presidency. In office for only 1000 days, Kennedy’s impact on our nation, the presidency, and the world live on. He challenged the nation to see beyond the present and into a bright future. The leadership he exhibited during the Cuban missile crisis was stunning and striking when compared with the present administration.

One of the best things about The Presidents is the way in which it explores, in short moments, soundbites, and commentary, the flavor of each presidency--how each president reflected his times and their troubles, and shaped the era in which he served. Extras in The Presidents DVD set include the feature length documentary “All the President’s Wives,” and a timeline of the US presidents.

The set would make a great gift for the history buff in your life—or for your kid (or grandkid) who’s studying for that AP US History exam.