by Jared Cohen
First published 2024
Jared Cohen examines the post-presidential lives of seven American leaders who faced the challenge of transitioning from the nation's highest office to private citizenship. The author traces how Thomas Jefferson founded the University of Virginia and shaped public discourse after his presidency. John Quincy Adams returned to Congress as an abolitionist leader, influencing Abraham Lincoln. Grover Cleveland achieved the unique distinction of serving nonconsecutive terms. William Howard Taft moved to the Supreme Court as Chief Justice. Herbert Hoover rebuilt his reputation through relief work, government reorganization, and conservative movement leadership. Jimmy Carter pursued humanitarian work during the longest post-presidency in American history. George W. Bush withdrew from politics entirely, following Washington's example. Cohen reveals how these men confronted personal struggles with ego, money, legacy, and mortality while continuing to influence American history beyond their White House years.
Genres: biography, history, 20th-century, american, political-science, non-fiction, 21st-century, american-history
Vibes: intimate, suspenseful, thought-provoking
Tropes: found-family, redemption
Period: 19th-Century, 20th-Century, 21st-Century
512 pages · ebook · Simon & Schuster