The Making of Mitt Romney

Presidential candidates are more than the sum of their position papers; they are a product of their life experiences. The Globe's seven-part series, the most comprehensive biography of Mitt Romney, examines the forces that have shaped this Republican candidate for president in Campaign 2008.
PART ONE
The Son

The Son

A car crash when Mitt Romney was driving claimed one life and changed his. The privileged son of a larger-than-life man turned serious and self-directed.
Video VIDEO: From Boy to Man

part two
The Missionary

The Missionary

In France, Romney tried to win converts to his Mormon faith. His family's past was intertwined with that of the church, from its earliest pioneer days.

part three
The Businessman

The Businessman

Romney led Bain Capital from $37 million to $4 billion in assets. Only his colleagues knew how much he sweat behind the scenes.

part four
The Family Man

The Family Man

Even family time was regimented, a lesson Romney's sons - and dog Seamus - learned. Meanwhile, in Romney's first campaign, Ted Kennedy did the teaching.

part five
The Olympian

The Olympian

Leading the Salt Lake Olympics forged his ''turnaround'' reputation. But colleagues say buffing up his image for a political career was never far from the surface.

part six
The Governor

The Governor

Romney steered the state through a major fiscal crisis. But critics say he overstates the feat and understates the side effects, including big fee hikes.

part seven
The Candidate

The Candidate

He helped bring first-in-the-nation universal healthcare to Massachusetts. But as his focus shifted to the presidency, so did many of his positions.