In an educational climate consumed with leaving no child behind and closing achievement gaps, the education system has neglected to raise the ceiling while we’ve struggled to lift the floor. Chester Finn takes us inside America’s most selective high schools to learn how high achieving students perform. We discuss his latest book Exam Schools.

Marc Eliot is a celebrity biographer who is known for his biography of Ronald Reagan during his Hollywood years, among many others. He’s turned his attention to one of America’s legendary movie stars—and a member of a Hollywood royal family. We look inside the business of show business by examining the biography of Michael Douglas.

Gene Griessman has made a study of successful people and, in the process, became an expert on the tactics successful people employ. He’s discovered some parallels and similarities between Abraham Lincoln and Barack Obama that showcase what high achievers do. We discuss his latest book Lincoln and Obama.

Craig Unger writes about Karl Rove—a key figure in Republican politics for over a decade. We look at Rove’s influence on American politics—particularly his involvement in 2 crucial Supreme Court decisions that changed the country forever from his book Boss Rove: Inside Karl Rove’s Secret Kingdom of Power.

Tara Ross is a staunch defender of the Electoral College in Presidential elections. During this election year, we examine the continuing need for the Electoral College from her book Enlightened Democracy.

Bruce Schneier is a security expert. When people want to know how security really works, they turn to him. We discuss enabling the trust society needs to survive from his book Liars & Outliers.