An Honest President

The Life and Presidencies of Grover Cleveland

By: H. Paul Jeffers

Narrated by: Raymond Todd

Today Grover Cleveland is mainly remembered as the only president to be elected to two non-consecutive terms. But in his day, Cleveland was a renowned reformer, an enemy of political machines who joined forces with Theodore Roosevelt to fight powerful party bosses, a moralist who vetoed bills he considered blatant raids on the Treasury, a vigorous defender of the Monroe Doctrine who resisted American imperialism, and a president who stood his ground against Wall Street robber barons in an era of big business.

His real legacy, however, is his statesmanship. His time in office was plagued by scandal and a gossip-mongering press, but Grover Cleveland was a president of principle who never flinched from taking the high road.

During his first presidential bid, when he was a bachelor, his scheming opponents accused him of fathering a child out of wedlock, a charge Cleveland readily admitted to be true. The country forgot the charge and remembered Cleveland's candor. At the age of 49, he married his ward, the beautiful 21-year-old daughter of an old friend. After the nation's initial surprise, she became the most popular first lady of the day, a 19th-century Jacqueline Kennedy, and the mother of the first child born in the White House.

On his deathbed, Cleveland would sum up his career simply: "I have tried so hard to do right." And that he did, always acting according to the dictates of his conscience, taking responsibility for his actions and refusing to explain, excuse, or aggrandize himself through autobiography, library, or museum. Thus, Grover the Good, as he was called, ever remained...an honest president.

©2012 Blackstone Audiobooks; 2000 H. Paul Jeffers

An Honest President

Nice book very infomatative. About a little remember President . Would recommend this book. We only wish we had a man like the ten years.

Honest President

Remarkably different days. If you enjoy knowing Past Presidents who seemed somewhat unremarkable, you will learn quite a bit I did

Some Reservations

I was intrigued by this book and didn’t know much about President Cleveland’s life but I didn’t like how women were portrayed in this book. The discount of the perspectives and dismissal of claims made against him by women is not an accurate cross section of history. Even good people make poor choices. It does historical figures no favors to heroify their actions. People today need to understand the high points and low points of those people’s lives even if the details aren’t pretty. If you are looking to be entertained, this is a good book. If you are a historian looking for an accurate evaluation of President Cleveland’s life and actions, this is not the book for you. You need to do your own research after reading this book.

Big Steve Comes Alive

Wonderful biography of Grover “Big Steve” Cleveland and his times. Captivating history and well narrated. 5 stars!

Great book on Cleveland!

Awesome book with tremendous and interesting details. The reader speaks so quickly that it alternate between funny and annoying.