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A Secret Life: The Lies and Scandals of President Grover Cleveland

by Charles Lachman

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826325,236 (3.63)1
The child was born on September 14, 1874, at the only hospital in Buffalo, New York, that offered maternity services for unwed mothers. It was a boy, and though he entered the world in a state of illegitimacy, a distinguished name was given to this newborn: Oscar Folsom Cleveland--the son of the future president of the United States-Grover Cleveland. The story of how the man who held the nation's highest office never took responsibility for his son is a thrilling one that reads like a romance novel-including allegations of rape, physical violence, and prostitution. The stunning lengths that Cleveland undertook to conceal what really happened the evening of his son's conception are truly astonishing-including forcing the unwed mother, Maria Halpin, into an insane asylum.… (more)
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Not overly satisfying biography of Grover Cleveland. The bio focuses on two main scandals involving him; one, the unequivocal cover-up of his cancer operation in 1893, which was truly remarkable, and the other, the illegitimate offspring he had by another woman long before he became involved in high-level politics. The writing style was a bit too breezy for my tastes (and there's a smattering of typos that are slightly irritating), and the story is presented with a bit too much melodrama. As I say, not overly satisfying, though the author does point out that previous biographies either ignored the scandals or elided over them. Not particularly recommended. ( )
  EricCostello | Mar 6, 2020 |
Despite its despicable topic, this book is an excellent read. Grover Cleveland was a word-class creep who raped the woman he was seeing and did everything possible to deflect the truth so that he could win the Presidency, on a platform of honesty and ending corruption! If the US could survive the Cleveland administrations, it can survive the current administration too. ( )
  meacoleman | Aug 11, 2019 |
Fascinating look at a president that quite frankly I hadn't really studied all that much. Proves that the nastiness of today's politicians is absolutely nothing new - rape, slander, and prostitution allegations followed Cleveland throughout his presidency. The accusations and hyperbole are a bit much in this work but the research supports the writing. ( )
  scatlett | Nov 28, 2016 |
Interesting book with good detail of the society and times of President Cleveland. Unfortunately, the book is poor written - it doesn't flow well at all. Worthy of reading, but not at the top of the list. ( )
  busterrll | Dec 22, 2015 |
It has always been strange to me the way we humans can compartmentalize our lives. Grover Cleveland may be the most extreme example of our Presidents, but he is by far one of the more interesting men we've placed in the Oval Office. ( )
  lanewillson | Dec 31, 2012 |
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The child was born on September 14, 1874, at the only hospital in Buffalo, New York, that offered maternity services for unwed mothers. It was a boy, and though he entered the world in a state of illegitimacy, a distinguished name was given to this newborn: Oscar Folsom Cleveland--the son of the future president of the United States-Grover Cleveland. The story of how the man who held the nation's highest office never took responsibility for his son is a thrilling one that reads like a romance novel-including allegations of rape, physical violence, and prostitution. The stunning lengths that Cleveland undertook to conceal what really happened the evening of his son's conception are truly astonishing-including forcing the unwed mother, Maria Halpin, into an insane asylum.

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Skyhorse Publishing

2 editions of this book were published by Skyhorse Publishing.

Editions: 1616082755, 1620870967

 

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