Chronicles the historical events and personalities of the 1980s, focusing primarily on the United States and including firsthand accounts from diaries, speeches, letters, and newspaper articles.

The fall of Jimmy Carter : November 1979-January 1981 -- The great communicator takes over : January 1981-October 1982 -- Highs, lows, and frightening times : November 1982-December 1983 -- "Morning in America" : January-December 1984 -- Terrorism and disaster : January 1985-April 1986 -- Arms and the President : May 1986-December 1987 -- Beginning of the end : January 1988-January 1989 -- The torch is passed : January 1989-January 1990.