A Man of Iron: The Turbulent Life and Improbable Presidency of Grover Cleveland

Written by Troy Senik

Narrated by Pete Simonelli

“A thoroughly engaging and enjoyable” (National Review) biography of Grover Cleveland—the honest, principled, and plain-spoken president whose country has largely overlooked him.

“Entertaining and astute” (Booklist), A Man of Iron explores the remarkable life and extraordinary career of Grover Cleveland—one of America’s most unusual presidents and the only one to serve two non-consecutive terms.

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.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Simon & Schuster Audio
• Release date: Sep 20, 2022
• ISBN: 9781797142531

Troy Senik

Troy Senik is an author and former White House speechwriter whose writing has appeared in outlets such as The Wall Street Journal, Los Angeles Times, City Journal, and more. A former think tank executive, he is the cofounder of Kite & Key, a digital media company focused on public policy.

Reviews for A Man of Iron

[Alexandra Squiers · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I knew nothing of Grover Cleveland but his name. I’ve realized that I can’t depend on popular culture to give me any understanding of historical times or figures. This book was a rich portrait of both. I highly recommend this biography as detailed and easy to read, which is not easy for a writer to achieve.