Founding Fathers

Part 1 of 4, “Rebels With a Cause,” profiles John Hancock and brothers Samuel and John Adams, and chronicles their roles in the Boston Tea Party and the First Continental Congress. Among those reading are Beau Bridges, James Woods and Peter Coyote. Roger Mudd is the host; Edward Herrmann is the narrator.

Part 2 of 4 profiles George Washington, Benjamin Franklin and Thomas Paine. Included: the effect of Paine's “Common Sense”; Washington's difficult leadership of the untrained armed forces. Among those reading: Hal Holbrook, Brian Dennehy and Michael York. Roger Mudd is the host.

Part 3 profiles James Madison, Thomas Jefferson and Alexander Hamilton. Included: the writing of the Declaration of Independence; the major events of the Revolutionary War. Among those reading: Randy Travis, Peter Coyote and Michael York. Host: Roger Mudd.

The conclusion chronicles the daunting task of creating a “healthy” constitution, and examines how the Founding Fathers lived out the remaining years following the birth of the nation. Among those reading are Peter Coyote, Brian Dennehy, James Woods, Randy Travis and Michael York.