A Man of Iron

The Turbulent Life and Improbable Presidency of Grover Cleveland

By: Troy Senik, Troy Senik - introduction

Narrated by: Pete Simonelli

“A thoroughly engaging and enjoyable” (National Review) biography of Grover Cleveland—one of America’s most unusual presidents and the first one to serve two non-consecutive terms.

“Entertaining and astute” (Booklist), A Man of Iron explores the remarkable life and extraordinary career of Grover Cleveland—the honest, principled, and plain-spoken president whose country has largely overlooked him.

Grover Cleveland’s political career—a dizzying journey that saw him rise from obscure lawyer to president of the United States in just three years—was marked by contradictions. A politician of uncharacteristic honesty and principle, he was nevertheless dogged by secrets from his personal life. A believer in limited government, he pushed presidential power to its limits to combat a crippling depression, suppress labor unrest, and resist the forces of American imperialism. A headstrong executive who alienated Congress, political bosses, and even his own party, his stubbornness nevertheless became the key to his political appeal. The most successful Democratic politician of his era, he came to be remembered most fondly by Republicans.

“With prodigious research, rich detail…and lively prose” (The Free Lance-Star, Virginia), A Man of Iron is a compelling and vivid biography joining the ranks of presidential classics such as David McCullough’s John Adams, Ron Chernow’s Grant, and Amity Shlaes’s Coolidge.

Critic reviews

"Listeners will be rewarded in learning about a man who deserves far more credit than history has afforded him."

outstanding

This is a beautifully measured and thoughtful analysis of the life and presidency of Grover Cleveland. Written with great intelligence and zest.

A Rare Occupant of the Presidential Office

This book is an outstanding account of a man who grasped the Constitutional limitations on the exercise of presidential power. That the current occupant of the presidency canceled an effort to memorialize Grover Cleveland, among other less well-known president's, provides a fitting commentary on the way in which the current generation has abandoned the idea that the president is to be the guardian of the people's interests instead of an agent for partisan advantage. Before listening to the reading of this book, I knew Cleveland's distinction of being the only American to serve non-consecutive terms as president. I knew of his distinction as the only president to be married in the White House and whose first child was born there. Cleveland won his first presidential election when my wife's grandmother was a year old. But he served in the period between the end of Reconstruction and the early part of the 20th century. This book dispels the haziness of that period and enables a clearer understanding of the policy challenges in the latter years of the 19th century. The author's care in his use of sources and the narrator's pleasant skill in managing the phrasing of the book made listening to it illuminating and enjoyable. I recommend it highly.

Excellent and clearly written

Enjoyed this book about Grover Cleveland immensely. As the author explains, one of Cleveland’s greatest characteristics - his modesty - meant that researching and writing a biography about him meant there was very little from his own perspective - no autobiography or memoir. He was very private and protected the privacy of his family.

What the author did share was interesting and, again, very well written. I definitely plan to explore other books by this author!

The Ethics over Political Gain

Many of the details around the political events of the day are not easy to understand for Cleveland’s era, but are well done in this book. For a political science major and geek I found the time spend very enlightening. Thank you to the author for your research and detail.

Want to learn about Grover Cleveland? Listen to this book.

I was amazed at the short time it took Cleveland to go from Buffalo mayor to the president. He stuck by his moral compass through out his life. This book gives great detail on Cleveland's presidency. Both of them. Listen to learn more.