Megan Gorman’s All the Presidents’ Money: How the Men Who Governed America Governed Their Money is an engaging dive into the personal financial lives of America’s most powerful figures, its presidents. The book explores how these leaders managed their finances, often paralleling their successes and struggles with the economic realities faced by everyday Americans. Gorman brings us stories of debt, thrift, and lavish spending, creating a narrative that humanizes the men who governed the nation. Through these financial lenses, she provides an intimate look at their decision-making and personalities, showing how their financial behaviors mirrored their governance styles.

Gorman makes history relatable. For example, FDR’s ill-fated investment in a lobster business gives him a surprisingly human, almost vulnerable, quality. This mix of personal and fiscal details, like Lincoln scrimping to save for a larger home or JFK sipping beer to avoid New York’s pricy Stork Club, makes the presidents feel less like historical statues and more like everyday people with real financial anxieties. One of the most surprising sections was the focus on Warren Harding. Harding is often maligned for his political scandals, but Gorman does a fantastic job of reframing him as a savvy businessman. He managed to turn a $300 investment in a small-town newspaper into a multimillion-dollar empire. This balance of storytelling combines political and personal, adding layers to the presidents that we don’t often see. It was fascinating to read how Harding, despite being one of the lowest-ranked presidents historically, had financial foresight that rivals the best. Thomas Jefferson’s financial downfall paints a picture of a man whose love for wine and extravagant dinners outpaced his ability to save. His eventual financial ruin feels oddly relatable in today’s world of consumer debt. The recurring theme that struck me was how similar their financial problems were to ours. The pressures, bad investments, and outright mismanagement were not unique to their times, and Gorman’s exploration of these mishaps felt refreshing, almost comforting in a strange way.

All the Presidents’ Money: How the Men Who Governed America Governed Their Money is a must-read for anyone interested in the intersection of money, power, and history. It’s not just for history buffs; it’s for anyone who’s ever wondered if leaders have the same struggles as the rest of us. If you’re a fan of presidential history or financial stories, you’ll enjoy this book’s unique angle. It reminds us that even those at the top are only human, after all.

Pages: 372 | ASIN : B0D3T7TGMZ