Summary of Life After Power by Jared Cohen: Seven Presidents and Their Search for Purpose Beyond the White House

By Justin Reese

DISCLAIMER

This book does not in any capacity mean to replace the original book but to serve as a vast summary of the original book.

Summary of Life After Power by Jared Cohen: Seven Presidents and Their Search for Purpose Beyond the White House

IN THIS SUMMARIZED BOOK, YOU WILL GET:

• Chapter provides an astute outline of the main contents.
• Fast & simple understanding of the content analysis.
• Exceptionally summarized content that you may skip in the original book

 

Life After Power is a book by Jared Cohen, which tells the stories of seven former presidents who changed history and offered lessons on how to navigate the next chapter of life. The book highlights the achievements of Thomas Jefferson, John Quincy Adams, Grover Cleveland, William Howard Taft, Herbert Hoover, Jimmy Carter, and George W. Bush. Cohen provides a gripping account of how these men transitioned from President of the United States to ordinary citizens, addressing issues like ego, finances, and legacy. The book highlights the importance of the presidency and the lessons it offers for future generations.

• Language: English
• Publisher: jUSTIN REESE
• Release date: Feb 13, 2024
• ISBN: 9798224037346

Book preview

PREFACE

The book Accidental Presidents explores the eight times a vice president has become president upon the death of their predecessor, and how history changes in a heartbeat. The author aims to answer the questions of what happens when presidents survive, how they decide what to do next, and how they make history after the White House. The book highlights the gap in most presidential histories, which focus on how their subjects climbed to the top of the mountain, not what they did when they had to come back down again. The author argues that former presidents often reveal who they are and what they really want in life, even if they don't hold office. The book also highlights the relatable part of their stories, as they have to answer the kinds of questions that we all face in our own lives, such as family, finances, or the future. The author encourages readers to look for the latter in the former, as it will help them understand American history and the choices they will make in their own lives.

INTRODUCTION

King George III mourned the defeat of the British Empire in 1783, and General Washington resigned his commission to become the greatest man in the world. However, this precedent has not taken hold globally, as many leaders have held on to power even after their deaths. In the United States, after the tragic events of January 6, 2021, the peaceful transfer of power cannot be taken for granted.

Life After Power tells the story of seven former presidents who decided what to do with the rest of their lives and made history in the process. These men were human beings who searched for purpose in their final decades, leaving the most important job they'd ever had and having nowhere else to climb. They offer lessons and cautionary tales for anyone contemplating the next chapters of their own lives.

The post-presidency is an undiscovered story for most presidential biographies, but it is important to recognize that former presidents have a status in American life that never goes away. They have many of the trappings of their old office, including Secret Service protection, a sta, and a pension to maintain the dignity of the office.

Three former presidents in this book answer the question of what to do when there is nowhere higher to climb and have to decide for themselves, What next? They come from different backgrounds and parties, holding different places in Americans' memories. Thomas Jefferson was the first former president to achieve something worth including on his tombstone, while John Quincy Adams became a leader for the growing abolitionist movement and a commander in chief. Grover Cleveland was the only former president to run for a nonconsecutive term and win, holding back a populist tide in his party and an imperialist wave in the other.

William Howard Taft, Herbert Hoover, Jimmy Carter, and George W. Bush are all former presidents who have had significant and instructive final chapters in their lives. Taft lost the presidency in 1912, but was named chief justice in 1921, leading to the reform of the Supreme Court and federal judiciary. Hoover's one-term presidency has been criticized for its negative impact on the modern conservative movement, but his thirty-one-year post-presidency was pivotal in his recovery. Carter, who left the White House unpopular, became one of America's most beloved leaders after leading humanitarian efforts around the world.

George W. Bush, on the other hand, has managed to significantly improve his standing and experience a reputational Renaissance. He has found a postpresidential voice through painting, which allows him to express his beliefs while steering clear of politics. His work elevates people often overlooked, raising their visibility and contributing to important conversations without undermining his successors. His popularity has soared north of 60 percent.

The post-presidency is not written into the American Constitution