Based on the bestselling lecture series, Presidents of the Church presents intimate biographical sketches of the fifteen prophets, focusing on events that helped shape each to become a great leader in the Church. Intriguing details, such as Wilford Woodruff's many narrow escapes from death, Lorenzo Snow's experiences in Italy and in the Holy Land, Joseph R. Smith's self-taught language skills, and Heber J. Grant's sacrifices in order to help his widowed mother will give readers a fuller understanding of the President's backgrounds and personalities. You'll learn how each prophet was a man for his own season andalso an important player inthegrand progression of the gospel. Truman G. Madsen holds a Ph.D. from Harvard University and has taught in the philosophy and Religious Education departments at Brigham Young University. A popular speaker and writer, he has been a director of the BYU Jerusalem Center and conducted tours of the Holy Land and of Church history sites. His many published books and talkls include Joseph Smith, the Prophet and Five Classics by Truman G. Madsen. He and his wife, Ann Nicholls Madsen, have three children and a Navajo foster son. They live in Provo, Utah.