Clay Jenkinson

In the transformative era of the railroad, an unrivaled leader builds an empire across America that plays an instrumental role in shaping the nation.

Kevin Costner's The West is an eight-part series that provides a fresh look at the epic history of the American West by delving into the desperate struggle for the land itself - and how it still shapes the America we know today.

Get to know the outdoorsy, determined young man who used his Harvard education and skills to become a wartime hero and American President.