The lives of former American presidents have varied tremendously since George Washington retired to his farm and then was coaxed back to ceremonially lead the United States Army in 1798. Their place in American life is unique in that they once held the most powerful position in the country, arguably even the world, and then found themselves without that elected position. While nearly forty men have lived to become former presidents, each tackled their post-presidency in different ways.
Jared Cohen's Life After Power: Seven Presidents and Their Search for Purpose Beyond the White House shares the stories of seven former presidents, from Thomas Jefferson to George W. Bush. Each changed history and America's trajectory in their own ways. Jefferson founded the University of Virginia. John Quincy Adams and William Howard Taft had second acts in Washington in different branches of government. Grover Cleveland had a second act in the White House. Herbert Hoover resumed the humanitarian work that he was famous for in the aftermath of World War I (but only after a dozen years on the sidelines). George W. Bush took up painting and made a clean break from American political life as a reminder of the days when presidents simply retired to a quiet life. And of course Jimmy Carter is known for working to advance democratic ideals and public service through volunteering to build houses.
Cohen does a wonderful job telling the stories of these seven men and how each charted their own vastly different course after their time in the White House.
MY RATING: 5
