What if George Washington almost accepted a crown? What if John Adams walked out on his presidency and came back a different man? Theodore Roscoe turns the tidy pages of history inside out with an irreverent wink: short, savory fictions that imagine the private stumbles, strange temptations, and human quirks behind the public faces of Washington, Adams, Jefferson, Madison, Jackson-and the republic they made. These spirited vignettes-ranging from the theatrical crown-room of Mount Vernon to the bathtub diplomacy of Napoleon and Jefferson, and from the private torments of the White House to the muddy glory of New Orleans-blend sharp satire, warm humanity, and pulpy adventure. Roscoe's voices are vivid, his humor sly, and his sympathy for these flawed giants never far from the surface. The result is a wildly entertaining portrait gallery: history rethought as myth, legend, and unforgettable anecdote. Perfect for readers of historical fiction, alternate-history fans, and anyone who loves presidential lore with bite, this collection is a playful reminder that great men were, first and always, human.