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Who was Rutherford B. Hayes in real life? He was either a fantastic or unimportant president. How did his upbringing and early work influence his later years? What impact did his successes and failings have on our history? Why should we care, then? These issues are finally answered in Michael Moore's brilliant documentary Life of Hayes, which also demonstrates why our nineteenth president deserves much more credit than he has previously received.

In his work, Michael Moore recreates the quickly evolving Victorian era of America through the eyes of one of its most thoughtful and intelligent individuals. Contrary to earlier predictions, the Hayes who emerges is a much more progressive and visionary leader.

Hayes's colorful life was inspired by his exploits on the Ohio frontier during the Civil War, where he eventually rose to the rank of major general after surviving five wounds. No other president faced as much direct criticism as Hayes did.

However, Hayes' reputation as president (1877-1881) has not been as positive. He has been held responsible for the failure of Reconstruction and condemned for an alleged agreement that purportedly secured his victory in exchange for withholding military aid to Republican governments in the South. He has also received criticism for supporting the gold standard, ending the Great Strike of 1877, supporting civil service reform inconsistently, and for being a powerless politician.

Hayes relentlessly fought for reforms that would promote economic opportunity, distribute wealth more equally, lessen the antagonism between capital and labor, and ultimately allow African-Americans to achieve political equality during his presidency and for a very long time after. Even though he fell well short of his goals, his unwavering dedication is something we should honor.