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All the Presidents' Money: How the Men Who Governed America Governed Their Money
A journey through the personal money stories of the US presidents and how they built wealth—or didn’t.
Was Harry Truman really our poorest president or simply a man up at 2 a.m. struggling with financial anxiety? Did Calvin Coolidge get bad advice from his stockbroker to buy stocks in 1930 as the market continued to crash? Is it true George Washington enhanced his net worth by marrying up?
We often think of the US presidents as being above the fray. But the truth is, the presidents are just like us—worried about money, trying to keep a budget, and chasing the American financial dream. While some presidents like Herbert Hoover and Gerald Ford became wildly successful with money, others like Thomas Jefferson and Joe Biden struggled to sustain their lifestyle. The ability to win the presidency is no guarantee of financial security, although today it’s a much easier path to monetize.
In All the Presidents’ Money, tax attorney and wealth manager Megan Gorman takes us on a journey to understand the different personal money stories of the presidents. Grit, education, and risk are just some of the different ways that the presidents over the last 250 years have made (or lost) money.
With lively storytelling and rigorous research, All the Presidents’ Money reveals how some of the greatest leaders are the worst money managers and our least favorite presidents are good at making money.
Was Harry Truman really our poorest president or simply a man up at 2 a.m. struggling with financial anxiety? Did Calvin Coolidge get bad advice from his stockbroker to buy stocks in 1930 as the market continued to crash? Is it true George Washington enhanced his net worth by marrying up?
We often think of the US presidents as being above the fray. But the truth is, the presidents are just like us—worried about money, trying to keep a budget, and chasing the American financial dream. While some presidents like Herbert Hoover and Gerald Ford became wildly successful with money, others like Thomas Jefferson and Joe Biden struggled to sustain their lifestyle. The ability to win the presidency is no guarantee of financial security, although today it’s a much easier path to monetize.
In All the Presidents’ Money, tax attorney and wealth manager Megan Gorman takes us on a journey to understand the different personal money stories of the presidents. Grit, education, and risk are just some of the different ways that the presidents over the last 250 years have made (or lost) money.
With lively storytelling and rigorous research, All the Presidents’ Money reveals how some of the greatest leaders are the worst money managers and our least favorite presidents are good at making money.
312 pages, Hardcover
Published September 24, 2024
22 people are currently reading
309 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
December 15, 2025
I do appreciate books which can be laser-focused on a specific topic which is a bit off the beaten path. Megan Gorman walks this tightrope in All the Presidents' Money. What do you need to know? Presidents worry about money just like us!
As a political cynic, my first thought when opening the book was, "Yes, let's see how they stole all the money from us." I kid (mostly!). However, Gorman does the yeoman's work of skipping the politics and focusing on the people who are just trying to figure it out like the rest of us. I can personally attest that a solid financial decision is to attend a military academy like Grant, Eisenhower, and Carter (boo, Navy!). No student loans! Gorman does address the fact that college is not what it used to be and that is very much the case when discussing the financial aspects.
It's this type of focus which makes this book different from many others. With the exception of slavery, which is clearly relevant when discussing finances, Gorman eschews politics even for recent presidents. In doing so, she humanizes these men by showing they ask themselves the same question we all do. How the hell do I make some money?
If you'll excuse me, I need to go check on my 401k and get some solid financial anxiety in before bed.
(This book was provided as review copy by the author.)
As a political cynic, my first thought when opening the book was, "Yes, let's see how they stole all the money from us." I kid (mostly!). However, Gorman does the yeoman's work of skipping the politics and focusing on the people who are just trying to figure it out like the rest of us. I can personally attest that a solid financial decision is to attend a military academy like Grant, Eisenhower, and Carter (boo, Navy!). No student loans! Gorman does address the fact that college is not what it used to be and that is very much the case when discussing the financial aspects.
It's this type of focus which makes this book different from many others. With the exception of slavery, which is clearly relevant when discussing finances, Gorman eschews politics even for recent presidents. In doing so, she humanizes these men by showing they ask themselves the same question we all do. How the hell do I make some money?
If you'll excuse me, I need to go check on my 401k and get some solid financial anxiety in before bed.
(This book was provided as review copy by the author.)
January 26, 2026
Interesting to read. However I don't have big takeaway from this. Especially that a president's money management doesn't directly translate to the government's finance (the US government is much bigger than just a president).
- Before Ford, many presidents retired with debt. Being the president was seen as a "gentleman's act" rather than money making machine
- Truman famously retired poor, so poor that he had to sell a family farm to "pay for groceries". Thus prompting congress to later enact an act to give the presidents pension (so they can live in dignity later on)
- The US experienced 3 major tariff embargo (1807, 1930 and today). The first 2 didn't fare well, let's wait to see the third one
- Before Ford, many presidents retired with debt. Being the president was seen as a "gentleman's act" rather than money making machine
- Truman famously retired poor, so poor that he had to sell a family farm to "pay for groceries". Thus prompting congress to later enact an act to give the presidents pension (so they can live in dignity later on)
- The US experienced 3 major tariff embargo (1807, 1930 and today). The first 2 didn't fare well, let's wait to see the third one
September 24, 2024
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.
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.
September 24, 2024
Reading Megan Gorman's All the Presidents' Money is almost like peering into the private vaults of American presidents. Fascinatingly, the book provides real insight into how those who led America managed their money and how financial decisions influenced the course of their respective political lives.
It is divided into three parts: the first part covers the personal financial strategies of leaders such as Thomas Jefferson, Abraham Lincoln, Herbert Hoover, and Dwight Eisenhower. Each story begins with a different perspective: Thomas Jefferson's planning for the future or Abraham Lincoln's emphasis on the importance of education.
In the second part, "Money and Meaning," Gorman explores the financial confidence of various presidents, including the frugality of Gerald Ford and Calvin Coolidge. This section is engaging because it shows how the leaders' value systems influenced their financial decisions.
The third and final part, "The Wealth Builders," narrates stories that reflect the habits of leaders who wanted to build their fortunes. For example, George Washington's business acumen is discussed at length, as is Lady Bird Johnson's bold decision to buy a radio station.
Megan is a master at managing other people's finances and the founder of Chequers Financial Management, one of America's top 500 registered investment advisory firms. She attended Bryn Mawr College, where she studied history, and Rutgers School of Law, where she also studied law. Megan has worked at Goldman Sachs and BNY Mellon Wealth Management, and she is noted as one of the top female wealth advisers in America.
This is not merely a history compilation book but rather one that shows how each leader's decisions were personal and reflective, particularly in handling money. For instance, Thomas Jefferson's story illustrates someone who planned for his future, while Franklin D. Roosevelt's risky investments reflect boldness.
Megan Gorman uses a simplified yet engrossing style of writing. The complicated questions of finance seem so easy that you might find yourself thinking, "Gosh, I should do that, too!"
Whether you’re interested in history or financial knowledge, this book is for you. Megan Gorman skillfully illuminates the lives of presidents from financial perspectives that are both informative and inspiring. The book highlights that, at the end of the day, money matters to everyone, including American presidents.
This review reflects my personal opinion, and I believe this book is worth reading!
It is divided into three parts: the first part covers the personal financial strategies of leaders such as Thomas Jefferson, Abraham Lincoln, Herbert Hoover, and Dwight Eisenhower. Each story begins with a different perspective: Thomas Jefferson's planning for the future or Abraham Lincoln's emphasis on the importance of education.
In the second part, "Money and Meaning," Gorman explores the financial confidence of various presidents, including the frugality of Gerald Ford and Calvin Coolidge. This section is engaging because it shows how the leaders' value systems influenced their financial decisions.
The third and final part, "The Wealth Builders," narrates stories that reflect the habits of leaders who wanted to build their fortunes. For example, George Washington's business acumen is discussed at length, as is Lady Bird Johnson's bold decision to buy a radio station.
Megan is a master at managing other people's finances and the founder of Chequers Financial Management, one of America's top 500 registered investment advisory firms. She attended Bryn Mawr College, where she studied history, and Rutgers School of Law, where she also studied law. Megan has worked at Goldman Sachs and BNY Mellon Wealth Management, and she is noted as one of the top female wealth advisers in America.
This is not merely a history compilation book but rather one that shows how each leader's decisions were personal and reflective, particularly in handling money. For instance, Thomas Jefferson's story illustrates someone who planned for his future, while Franklin D. Roosevelt's risky investments reflect boldness.
Megan Gorman uses a simplified yet engrossing style of writing. The complicated questions of finance seem so easy that you might find yourself thinking, "Gosh, I should do that, too!"
Whether you’re interested in history or financial knowledge, this book is for you. Megan Gorman skillfully illuminates the lives of presidents from financial perspectives that are both informative and inspiring. The book highlights that, at the end of the day, money matters to everyone, including American presidents.
This review reflects my personal opinion, and I believe this book is worth reading!
August 21, 2024
As the Managing Partner at Chequers Financial Management and a senior contributor at Forbes, Megan Gorman knows what to do and what not to do with your finances. Now what does this have to do with history and presidents? A great deal actually as found in her book, All the Presidents’ Money. Here, Gorman assesses how presidents managed their own personal finances, what were common threads found amongst historically great presidents, and how individuals now can learn about the triumphs and struggles of these varied men. It’s not just stories about presidents and their wallets that’s to be found here. Yes you learn about Coolidge’s thriftiness, Washington’s grit, and Grant’s woes, but Gorman also focuses on strategies and advice for others. What would she have asked Biden as he made real estate purchases, how would she have guided Truman during his periods of financial anxiety, why would she laud Ford’s planning. Each chapter may be titled after a specific president, but don’t let this fool you. Gorman focuses on almost every single president and their finances here, making room for Adams, Cleveland, Wilson, and more. The scope is pretty remarkable given the overall page count (around 300 pages) which can make this feel like a lightning fast read. However, I personally would have liked if this book was actually a bit longer to offer more breathing room on each of these men and their often tumultuous financial journeys. This would be an excellent read for those seeking some financial insight and learning about a different perspective of America’s leaders not often discussed.
All the Presidents’ Money: How the Men Who Governed America Governed Their Money is available for preorder now. Thank you Megan Gorman and Regalo Press for this advanced readers copy.
All the Presidents’ Money: How the Men Who Governed America Governed Their Money is available for preorder now. Thank you Megan Gorman and Regalo Press for this advanced readers copy.
February 17, 2026
All the Presidents’ Money is a smart, engaging exploration of American leadership viewed through an unexpectedly intimate lens: personal finances. Megan Gorman dismantles the assumption that political power equates to financial mastery, revealing instead a wide spectrum of money habits, anxieties, successes, and failures.
What makes the book especially compelling is its humanizing approach. Presidents emerge not as distant icons, but as people grappling with familiar concerns budgeting, bad advice, risky investments, and the pressure to maintain a certain lifestyle. Stories of figures like Harry Truman’s financial anxiety or Calvin Coolidge’s ill timed market decisions bring texture and relatability to history.
Gorman balances lively storytelling with rigorous research, making complex financial realities accessible without oversimplifying them. By tracing how grit, education, timing, and risk shaped each president’s financial outcomes, the book subtly challenges the myth that leadership ability and money management naturally go hand in hand.
The contrast is particularly striking: admired presidents who struggled financially alongside less celebrated figures who proved remarkably savvy with money. This tension adds depth and keeps the narrative engaging across centuries of American history.
For readers interested in history, business, politics, or personal finance, All the Presidents’ Money offers a fresh perspective on leadership and a reminder that even the most powerful people wrestle with the same financial uncertainties as everyone else.
What makes the book especially compelling is its humanizing approach. Presidents emerge not as distant icons, but as people grappling with familiar concerns budgeting, bad advice, risky investments, and the pressure to maintain a certain lifestyle. Stories of figures like Harry Truman’s financial anxiety or Calvin Coolidge’s ill timed market decisions bring texture and relatability to history.
Gorman balances lively storytelling with rigorous research, making complex financial realities accessible without oversimplifying them. By tracing how grit, education, timing, and risk shaped each president’s financial outcomes, the book subtly challenges the myth that leadership ability and money management naturally go hand in hand.
The contrast is particularly striking: admired presidents who struggled financially alongside less celebrated figures who proved remarkably savvy with money. This tension adds depth and keeps the narrative engaging across centuries of American history.
For readers interested in history, business, politics, or personal finance, All the Presidents’ Money offers a fresh perspective on leadership and a reminder that even the most powerful people wrestle with the same financial uncertainties as everyone else.
September 4, 2025
All the Presidents' Money by Megan Gorman is a refreshing blend of financial guidance and presidential history that hits the mark perfectly. Admittedly, this book had been sitting on my TBR list for quite some time, so when her team reached out to send me a copy, I was thrilled! And let me say, Gorman's work did not disappoint.
Megan Gorman delivers an exceptionally well-written book that skillfully intertwines foundational financial advice with fascinating anecdotes from our 45 commanders-in-chief. As a financial expert by profession, Gorman masterfully combines her expertise with engaging prose, using presidential stories to illustrate how different financial strategies can either help or hinder.
All the Presidents' Money is both highly readable and uniquely insightful, shedding light on aspects of each president's life that history often overlooks. I thoroughly enjoyed my time with this book and wholeheartedly recommend it to history buffs and anyone seeking inspiration for managing their finances.
Fortunately, the paperback edition will be back on store shelves on September 9th! A special thanks to Megan Gorman and Justine from the Schulman PR team for sending me a copy.
Megan Gorman delivers an exceptionally well-written book that skillfully intertwines foundational financial advice with fascinating anecdotes from our 45 commanders-in-chief. As a financial expert by profession, Gorman masterfully combines her expertise with engaging prose, using presidential stories to illustrate how different financial strategies can either help or hinder.
All the Presidents' Money is both highly readable and uniquely insightful, shedding light on aspects of each president's life that history often overlooks. I thoroughly enjoyed my time with this book and wholeheartedly recommend it to history buffs and anyone seeking inspiration for managing their finances.
Fortunately, the paperback edition will be back on store shelves on September 9th! A special thanks to Megan Gorman and Justine from the Schulman PR team for sending me a copy.
March 8, 2025
(Audiobook) This was a better quality read than I thought it might be. This work is a sort of survey of the presidents, looking at how they managed wealth and money. What can be hard for folks to fathom is that many presidents in our past weren’t exactly coming from a great deal of wealth, nor was it assured that they would leave office to a lucrative post-presidential future. Gorman is not a historian by trade, but more a tax attorney and wealth manager. Thus, you get a unique perspective on how a president in a given situation would manage some aspect of wealth and money, and you get some practical advise as if she was consulting with the individual over a financial question. The end result is a fascinating perspective on the presidents as people concerned about money and financial growth/stability.
Definitely worth the time to read/listen to, with the rating the same regardless of format.
Definitely worth the time to read/listen to, with the rating the same regardless of format.
March 16, 2025
This book was gifted to me by a dear friend. She heard the author speak and got me the book (signed copy). It’s a most interesting book: part history, part financial planning advice. The author takes examples from our list of Presidents to show how they accumulated their wealth. She points out 12 of our Presidents achieved in part this through owning slaves. The best Presidents for achieving personal wealth: Eisenhower, Reagan, Ford, Washington and Hoover. The author also notes traits for good investors: empathy, charity and grit. There were a few others but these 3 stood out to me, especially in this age of billionaires and the ransacking of government programs that hurt the poorest among us. Enjoyable read.
February 25, 2025
From the moment I read the book review, I was hooked on just the IDEA of this. It is such a fascinating way of looking at our Presidents. More interesting, the author is a financial advisor. There is so much I didn’t know til now and it also, made me re-think my impression of some past leaders. Perhaps we would vote differently if we knew more about the decision making that our leaders partake. While this is a THOROUGH book, it also may be slightly more information than I was accustomed to read. I read it and enjoyed it greatly. You will most likely have some great discussions with others who read this too
February 11, 2025
Has some interesting tidbits about the personal lives of the presidents, though the author is a financial advisor and frame everything very much from that perspective, trying to be as neutral as possible about politics and as a result avoiding a lot of the most compelling issues that she could talk about given the topic. Also she had some interesting double standards--she really hits hard at James Polk for owning slaves, but takes it really, really easy on Jefferson, Washington and the other slave-owning presidents that people more generally admire.
June 16, 2025
The book was interesting and I learned a bunch about our different presidents. It didn't seem to flow super well between different stories to me, yet when I think about it I'm not sure exactly how that could be fixed easily. The author also tried to tie it into personal finance with her clients at points but that was a bit awkward at times.
But overall, I enjoyed it and learned new things about our presidents.
But overall, I enjoyed it and learned new things about our presidents.
January 5, 2025
Interesting book. It couples how each President approached personal finances with historical perspectives and tips to think about in your own situation. To be clear, this is not a financial planning book. It is snapshot on what worked - and didn’t - for the men who occupied the White House, but it is thought-provoking.
June 4, 2025
This woman is a CFP who advises some of the wealthiest clients in America. I saw her discuss her book on CSPAN and decided to give it a try. It was quite good. She takes concepts from personal finance and illustrates how they were either put to use or not even known to various Presidents with fascinating results. A clever and well written book, I enjoyed it.
July 23, 2025
Took me a while to read this book, not because it’s advanced, just life.
Mixed in with the amusing stories and history of U.S. presidents, is some very useful financial information from a CFA. This book belongs on anyone’s shelf for as long as the information is useful to your financial life.
Mixed in with the amusing stories and history of U.S. presidents, is some very useful financial information from a CFA. This book belongs on anyone’s shelf for as long as the information is useful to your financial life.
October 8, 2025
I'm not sure why someone would even think to write such a bizarre revision of history
Maybe 80 years ago a book that ignore reality to push the narrative that the president is a hard-working, regular guy would have been great
Maybe 80 years ago a book that ignore reality to push the narrative that the president is a hard-working, regular guy would have been great
January 26, 2026
It’s eye-opening, well-researched, and hard to put down. It humanized the lives of the US presidents through a personal finance lens. If you’re interested in politics, accountability, or understanding how money shapes leadership and policy, this is an essential and highly recommended read.
November 28, 2024
Presidents: they’re just like us! I could have done without the constant plugs abut her business acumen
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January 12, 2025This was an interesting way to learn about presidents and a topic that is often hard to think about, money. I really enjoyed this read!
January 23, 2025
This is a truly incredible book.
A perfect blend between self-help finance and mini-biographies.
A perfect blend between self-help finance and mini-biographies.
February 25, 2025
Excellent but definitely a slow burn!
March 4, 2025
interesting
March 18, 2025
Exactly how it sounds: recounting stories of the financial lives of our most powerful political leaders. Probably need to reread as it was not consecutive.
April 24, 2025
This was a very interesting book. Not only about the personal financial savy of the presidents, but also about financial managment for us regular folks.
August 11, 2025
quite interesting how they used their money!
December 22, 2025
such an interesting insight to how presidents handle their personal finances.
January 25, 2025
Overall liked it. She didn’t go into trumps background as much which I would have found interesting.
April 13, 2025
I really enjoyed this book. It didn’t get too into the weeds of economics and personal finance which can be a little overwhelming. I enjoyed learning more about the past presidents in the context of their money woes and triumphs.
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews