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Life After Power: Seven Presidents and Their Search for Purpose Beyond the White House Hardcover – February 13, 2024

by Jared Cohen (Author)
Editors' pick Best Books of the Year So Far 2024
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New York Times Bestseller

New York Times bestselling author of Accidental Presidents explores what happens after the most powerful job in the world: President of the United States.

Former presidents have an unusual place in American life. King George III believed that George Washington’s departure after two terms made him “the greatest character of the age.” But Alexander Hamilton worried former presidents might “[wander] among the people like ghosts.” They were both right.

Life After Power tells the stories of seven former presidents, from the Founding to today. Each changed history. Each offered lessons about how to decide what to do in the next chapter of life.

Thomas Jefferson was the first former president to accomplish great things after the White House, shaping public debates and founding the University of Virginia, an accomplishment he included on his tombstone, unlike his presidency. John Quincy Adams served in Congress and became a leading abolitionist, passing the torch to Abraham Lincoln. Grover Cleveland was the only president in American history to serve a nonconsecutive term. William Howard Taft became Chief Justice of the Supreme Court. Herbert Hoover shaped the modern conservative movement, led relief efforts after World War II, reorganized the executive branch, and reconciled John F. Kennedy and Richard Nixon. Jimmy Carter had the longest post-presidency in American history, advancing humanitarian causes, human rights, and peace. George W. Bush made a clean break from politics, bringing back George Washington’s precedent, and reminding the public that the institution of the presidency is bigger than any person.

Jared Cohen explores the untold stories in the final chapters of these presidents’ lives, offering a gripping and illuminating account of how they went from President of the United States one day, to ordinary citizens the next. He tells how they handled very human problems of ego, finances, and questions about their legacy and mortality. He shows how these men made history after they left the White House.
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  1. Print length
    512 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    Simon & Schuster
  4. Publication date
    February 13, 2024
  5. Dimensions
    6 x 1.6 x 9 inches
  6. ISBN-10
    1982154543
  7. ISBN-13
    978-1982154547
  8. See all details
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From the Publisher

Life After Power

Editorial Reviews

Review

“Informative…Mr. Cohen shows himself to be a gifted artist in his own right…. [A] highly readable sequel that confirms the promise of the author’s earlier work.” —Wall Street Journal

“Displays an impressive breadth of sources and erudition… Life After Power is a richly rewarding and thought-provoking read.” —David J. Garrow, Free Beacon

“An affable exploration of life after the presidency. With a storyteller’s verve, he profiles seven presidents… [A] fresh and informative take on presidential history. —Publishers Weekly

“The author packs this expansive sweep of presidential history with enough storytelling verve and grounded research to legitimize these presidents’ underrepresented post-term stories… An engaging dip into the history of the presidency.” —Kirkus Reviews (starred)

“A captivating look at how we find purpose and forge identity in the wake of major transitions. Life After Power breaks new ground by revealing who presidents become once they leave office. This isn’t just a riveting read for people fascinated by history, politics, or power—it’s brimming with insights for anyone who’s ever wondered, 'What’s next?'"—Adam Grant, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Think Again and Hidden Potential and host of the TED podcast Re:Thinking

“Most of us will face a dilemma as we grow older: how to have a next act in life that’s fulfilling. The greatest of all these transitions are made by people who suddenly find themselves as former presidents. Jared Cohen tells fascinating tales, filled with color and life lessons, of how seven of them handled it, from Washington to George W. Bush.” —Walter Isaacson, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Elon Musk and Steve Jobs

“For anyone facing a big career transition, Life After Power stands as a master class in professional reinvention, strategic adaptation, and even personal growth. This book shows how a number of former Presidents significantly increased their impact after stepping away from the world’s most powerful job. The lessons in this immensely readable work of applied history can be valuable to everyone. Highly recommended!” —Reid Hoffman, Co-founder of Linked-In, Co-Founder of Inflection AI

“Jared Cohen takes a unique and fascinating look at how seven individuals made the transition from the most powerful position in the world to consequential and fulfilling private lives post-presidency. The stories of Life After Power reveal a great deal about the true character of a leader.” —Condoleezza Rice, 66th Secretary of State and Director of the Hoover Institution, Stanford University

"In Life After Power, Jared Cohen has tackled a fascinating question: How do you find purpose after having wielded unimaginable power? His portraits of seven presidents provide seven different models. You will learn something new from each one and together they will make you reflect on what gives meaning to life, especially after the bright lights have dimmed and the crowds have gone away." —Fareed Zakaria, host of CNN's Fareed Zakaria GPS and author of Ten Lessons for a Post-Pandemic World

"Life After Power is for those who want to keep building whether entrepreneur, leader, or anyone else who's navigating their next phase in life." —Marc Andreessen, cofounder, Netscape and Andreessen Horowitz

"Jared Cohen captures, with great humor and depth, the introspection and actions taken by Americans who have been entrusted with great power finding purpose when their time on the main stage is over. The wonderful mix of the personal and historical will leave every reader asking themselves about purpose in life. Read it!" —Mike Pompeo, 70th secretary of state

About the Author

Jared Cohen is the president of global affairs and cohead of applied innovation at Goldman Sachs, where he joined as a partner and member of the firm’s management committee in 2022. Before joining Goldman Sachs, he was CEO of Jigsaw, which he founded at Alphabet Inc. in 2016. Prior to that, he was Google’s first director of ideas and chief advisor to Google’s chief executive officer and executive chairman Eric Schmidt. From 2006 to 2010, he served as a member of the Secretary of State’s policy planning staff and as a close advisor to both Condoleezza Rice and Hillary Clinton. He is a New York Times bestselling author of five books, most recently Accidental Presidents: Eight Men Who Changed America. He has been named to the Time 100 list, Foreign Policy’s “Top 100 Global Thinkers,” and Fortune’s “40 Under 40.” He lives in New York City with his wife and three daughters.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Simon & Schuster (February 13, 2024)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 512 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1982154543
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1982154547
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.51 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6 x 1.6 x 9 inches
  • Customer Reviews:

About the author

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Jared Cohen

Jared Cohen

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Jared Cohen is the founder and CEO of Jigsaw at Alphabet Inc. He also serves as an Adjunct Senior Fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations. Prior to Alphabet, he was Google’s first Director of Ideas and chief advisor to Google's executive chairman Eric Schmidt. From 2006 to 2010 he served as a member of the Secretary of State's Policy Planning Staff and as a close advisor to both Condoleezza Rice and Hillary Clinton.

Cohen is the New York Times bestselling author of four books, including Children of Jihad, One Hundred Days of Silence: America and the Rwanda Genocide, and The New Digital Age: Transforming Nations, Business, and our Lives, which he co-authored with Eric Schmidt. His new book, The Accidental Presidents, examines the eight instances in American history when a president has died in office. His writing has appeared in the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Foreign Affairs, LA Times, Washington Post, TIME Magazine, and Foreign Policy.

He has been named to the "TIME 100" list, Foreign Policy's “Top 100 Global Thinkers,” and Vanity Fair's "Next Establishment." Cohen serves on several advisory boards, including Allianz, Stanford University’s Freeman-Spogli Institute, Rivet Ventures, FluidMarket, ASAPP, and NCTC. he is a member of GenNext and a Young Global Leader at the World Economic Forum.

Cohen received his B.A. from Stanford University and his M.Phil in International Relations from the University of Oxford, where he studied as a Rhodes Scholar. He speaks fluent Swahili.

Customer reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars
4.6 out of 5
147 global ratings

Customers say

Customers find the book very interesting and thoughtful, with a source of inspiration and guidance. They also say it encourages them to apply the themes.

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ContentTheme
12 customers mention "Content"12 positive0 negative

Customers find the book very interesting and thoughtful. They also appreciate the compelling narratives and diverse trajectories.

"...in how I approach my goals and challenges, making it a profoundly impactful read on both a professional and personal level." Read more

"...As a retired person, I found this book unusually enlightening. What do we each want to do after the traditional working years?..." Read more

"...The Jimmy Carter chapter was particularly fascinating - everyone knows about Guinea worm and Habitat for Humanity...." Read more

"...Through compelling narratives, he showcases the diverse trajectories and lasting legacies of these leaders, providing valuable lessons on leadership..." Read more

7 customers mention "Theme"7 positive0 negative

Customers find the theme of the book a source of inspiration and guidance.

"...Life After Power" has been a source of inspiration and guidance, encouraging me to apply the lessons of leadership, resilience, and impact in my own..." Read more

"...Life After Power is a great education and a fun read." Read more

"...trajectories and lasting legacies of these leaders, providing valuable lessons on leadership, service, and enduring impact...." Read more

"...Also, it was helpful on a personal level. Everyone can reinvent themselves after their primary work career is behind them." Read more

Book Club Favorite
5 out of 5 stars
Book Club Favorite
Fascinating historical dive into how "America’s presidents can sometimes accomplish more after the White House than in it.” Gives you a rich sense of how they think and what drives them. Surprised by how deeply their lessons resonate for how ordinary people think about finding purpose and meaning in our own lives.
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Top reviews from the United States

Darius Williams
5.0 out of 5 stars If you only read one book this year…
Reviewed in the United States on February 20, 2024
Verified Purchase
In "Life After Power," Jared Cohen not only explores the post-presidential lives of seven American leaders but also imparts profound lessons that have significantly impacted my day-to-day life. His unique background from the State Department, Google, and Goldman Sachs brings a richness to his storytelling, making the narratives not just historical accounts but relatable lessons in navigating life's transitions.

Personally, this book has reshaped my approach to challenges and opportunities, emphasizing the value of adaptability, purpose, and decision-making in forging one's path. The stories of these presidents, masterfully told by Cohen, have inspired me to view my own transitions—whether career shifts, personal growth, or changing roles—with a new perspective. I've learned the importance of seeking a legacy beyond traditional achievements and the power of reinvention at any stage of life.

"Life After Power" has been a source of inspiration and guidance, encouraging me to apply the lessons of leadership, resilience, and impact in my own life. Jared Cohen's insightful exploration has made a tangible difference in how I approach my goals and challenges, making it a profoundly impactful read on both a professional and personal level.
13 people found this helpful
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dragonpaddler
5.0 out of 5 stars American history that I never learned in college or high school
Reviewed in the United States on April 10, 2024
Verified Purchase
Many are familiar with the quaint anecdotal stories about the US presidents, such as Honest Abe would never tell a lie, Washington chopped down a cherry tree, and sickly Teddy Roosevelt. Cohen deftly researches the generally unknown post-presidential stories of seven presidents, and how they adjusted to new realities far from the presidential spotlight, forging lives that were uniquely meaningful to them.
Of particular note was the John Quincy Adams chapter. Due to his birthright as the son of a president, he served as ambassador to several countries, Secretary of State, and US senator, all before his presidency. Born prior to the Revolution, he was 62 when his presidential term ended.
Cohen probes into Adams’ retirement in depth. Adams was elected to nine terms in Congress, a position some considered beneath the dignity of a former president. But as one with keen understanding and insight into all matters, political and governmental, he ascended the congressional hierarchy of respect, and had great influence in the abolition movement, which had never been part of his prior political life.
As a retired person, I found this book unusually enlightening. What do we each want to do after the traditional working years? History shows that some of the presidents withdrew from public life, others developed artistic skills, one realized a life-long ambition to be chief justice, and others like Adams, stayed active in politics and influenced younger politicians by their mastery of skills and passions of ideas.
Cohen’s diverse stories illustrate that there can be life even more fulfilling after being in powerful positions.
One person found this helpful
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Wilson Shirley III
5.0 out of 5 stars A great education and a fun read
Reviewed in the United States on February 13, 2024
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There are so many presidential biographies out there that any new contribution to the genre needs a compelling reason to be written. Life After Power has that in spades. This is a book about the parts of presidents’ lives that we usually ignore - what they do after the White House. It turns out that these aren’t sleep retirement years. Former presidents have changed history - they’ve led the abolitionist movement, run for president, championed relief efforts after World War II, and a lot more. The Jimmy Carter chapter was particularly fascinating - everyone knows about Guinea worm and Habitat for Humanity. But he also tried to get the UNSC to go against George HW Bush’s Gulf War plans? I didn’t know that.

If you think you know about these seven presidents, the bottom line is that you don’t know the whole story. Life After Power is a great education and a fun read.
16 people found this helpful
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S. Lyons
4.0 out of 5 stars Quick read and good insight.
Reviewed in the United States on May 15, 2024
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If you like politics and history this is a good book to add to your knowledge of 7 (I think it was 7) presidents and what they did after their terms. I enjoyed it. Quick read. Some new inform I did not know. Good contrast of their different approaches to "retirement".
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EdK
5.0 out of 5 stars "Exploring the Legacy: Jared Cohen's 'Life After Power' Delivers Timeless Life Lessons"
Reviewed in the United States on February 13, 2024
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In "Life After Power," Jared Cohen examines the post-presidential journeys of seven prominent figures, spanning from the Founding era to the present day. From Thomas Jefferson's influential contributions to public discourse to George W. Bush's exit from political life, Cohen demonstrates how former presidents leave lasting imprints on history. Through compelling narratives, he showcases the diverse trajectories and lasting legacies of these leaders, providing valuable lessons on leadership, service, and enduring impact. Ultimately, "Life After Power" offers a thought-provoking exploration of the ongoing significance of ex-presidents in shaping American society. Thank you, Jared Cohen!
8 people found this helpful
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anl
3.0 out of 5 stars liberal agenda
Reviewed in the United States on April 11, 2024
If you lean to the left, this is a book for you. if you lean to the right, don't bother. i read enough of this book to figure out the representations of the past Presdient's lives was a cover story for the author to advance his own agenda. In the conclusion is a direct paragraph criticizing Trump's character in a "this is fact" manner. i took this book out of the library hoping for interesting reading. It is returned very early.
4 people found this helpful
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Dyslexic Bob
5.0 out of 5 stars So much fun. Full of interesting information.
Reviewed in the United States on March 13, 2024
Verified Purchase
Well written. It will provide you with a different way to look at our country’s leaders and understand them in ways I was unfamiliar with. Also, it was helpful on a personal level. Everyone can reinvent themselves after their primary work career is behind them.
2 people found this helpful
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S. D. Paravonian
5.0 out of 5 stars Good book!
Reviewed in the United States on June 21, 2024
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Very well written, informative, and interesting book. Good for retired workers to read.
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