A Secret Life

The Lies and Scandals of President Grover Cleveland

By: Charles Lachman

Narrated by: Joe Barrett

A Secret Life sets the record straight on the sex scandal that nearly took down a president.

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 eventually came to take responsibility for his son is a thrilling one that unfolds like a sordid 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. A Secret Life also finally reveals what happened to Grover Cleveland’s son. Some historians have suggested that he became an alcoholic and died a young man - but Lachman definitively establishes his fate here for the first time.

In this gripping historical narrative, Charles Lachman sets the scandal-plagued record straight with a tightly-coiled plot that provides for narrative history at its best.

©2012 Charles Lachman (P)2013 Audible, Inc.

Bravo do a history well related

I found it to be enjoyable because the series of events were presented as if the reader or listener were there. Knowledge was imported to me, and I genuinely enjoyed this audiobook

History At Its Best - Repeating

Incredible story of President Grover Cleveland and the how his first son born into scandal which followed him in life and beyond the grave. The corruption in the media of the day, as well as in government - incredible. Sheds an ironic light unto today's presidential scandals.

Man behaves badly, gets elected anyway.

Man behaves badly, gets elected anyway. The parallels to 2016's candidate Trump are not lost on me. I found the beginning 3/4 of the book interesting and then it seemed to lose focus bringing in side stories. I did finish it.

A Secret, Scandalous Life

Who would've thought that a book on Grover Cleveland would be so interesting? The title was intriguing and this book certainly delivered. Author Lachman did extensive research and introduces his secret illegitimate son. A background in the future President kicks things off. After learning of his home life and striking out on his own, we meet the lovely lady Maria Halpern. Her story is a sad one, but she had her detractors. After becoming pregnant with Cleveland's son, the child is taken from her multiple times, given to a family desperately in need of funds, while she is committed to an insane asylum, but later released. After being vilified in the press, she attempts to set the record straight. The few who come to her aid are villified. Cleveland endures and becomes the first president to marry in the white house and to serve two non sequential terms in the White House. Filled with juicy details, it does read more like a novel than history book and it kept my interest. I read this book using immersion reading while listening to the audiobook. Narration by Joe Barrett was serviceable and fit the book. Much better than you think.

Even Handed Biography

A Secret Life is an even handed story of the life of President Grover Cleveland. The author has done extensive research which brings forth much information not contained in previous biographies of Cleveland. It especially recounts the great scandal which could have ended Cleveland ‘s career.