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 Ironexplores 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 good example of the president

It seemed to move a little slowly at the beginning and I wasn’t always sure what the time period was.
Overall it is very good and I was definitely do it again

Drew Hanks

I was very impressed with this biography. It was not overly detailed, like other biographies on presidents that I’ve read. It focused on the points.

Great debut for Senik

Senik wrote this book beautifully, the book even had some humor, but not so much that it ruined the seriousness of it. Excited to see more from him

The personal aspects were so interesting and was impressed by all the details .

Sometimes the narration was monotone so I could not give it a 5. The most interesting to me was how popular Francis was,and the great lengths Grover went to hiding his cancer from the nation.