Ever since the guns fell silent in July 1863, the Battle of Gettysburg has emerged as the defining conflict in our nation's history. American memory has established Gettysburg as the most important, most heroic, most savage battle the US has ever fought. Civil War historian, Thomas A. Desjardin, sets out to examine the truth behind the myth by probing how this battle became legend in American hearts and minds. Desjardin's research reveals how flawed our knowledge of this enormous event is.

It is 1985 and Brian Jackson, a working-class kid on full scholarship, has started his first semester at university. In addition to his anxiety about his humble origins and whether or not he'll fit in, Brian harbours a dark secret, a burning ambition... to appear on the wildly popular TV quiz show University Challenge. When his dream finally comes true, life seems perfect, especially given his infatuation for his fellow teammate, the beautiful, brainy Alice Harbinson. But just when Brian thinks he has all the answers, he discovers that the question of attraction is the most mind-boggling of all....

This is Tim Russert's warm and tender look back at his childhood in Buffalo, and his relationship with his beloved father, known affectionately to Russert fans as 'Big Russ'. He shares his memories of his childhood growing up in South Buffalo, his working-class roots and the values he learned from his Catholic upbringing and hard-working dad. With his natural charm, Russert's persona is one of Everyman. He strikes the epicentre of American values - straight-talking, honest and patriotic.