Carl Edward Sanders was born in Augusta, Georgia on May 15, 1925 and attended the University of Georgia until enlisting in the U.S. Air Force during World War II. After the war, he returned to school, earned a law degree and moved home to practice law and start a political career. In 1954, Sanders won a seat in the Georgia house as a Democrat representing his home town, and advanced to the state senate after one term. In the senate, he spent two years as floor leader for Governor Ernest Vandiver and two years as president pro tempore. In 1962 he was elected the nation's youngest governor at thirty-seven. Governor Sanders concentrated on education and the environment, as well as working with Presidents Kennedy and Johnson to comply with civil rights laws in a transition towards desegregation. He ran for governor again in 1970, but lost to Jimmy Carter. Sanders remained active in law and business, as well as behind the scenes in politics until his death in November 2014.

Interviewed by Dr. Mel Steely and Ted Fitz-Simons on April 27, 1987, in Sanders' Atlanta office.

Sanders begins by noting the most important aides on his staff as well as describing what makes for a "strong" governor. He then goes into the "mechanics" of how he deposed George L. Smith, and the most important black leaders with whom he served. He spends some time discussing the impact of television during his campaign. Dr. Steely asks about education and university improvements throughout the state during his tenure, and he talks about his relationship with Mayor Ivan Allen and their cooperation. Sanders also goes into great detail about his relationships with the Kennedy brothers.