Author:Jon Meacham Binding: Audio CD Published: 2008-11-11 ISBN: 0739334581 Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours
Avg. Customer Rating: 3.5 / 5.0
"Overrated ad Ultimately Boring"
"Comp[ared to other historical books"
"Meacham's American Lion"
"A Very Timely Volume"
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Editorial Review:
Andrew Jackson, his intimate circle of friends, and his tumultuous times are at the heart of this remarkable book about the man who rose from nothing to create the modern presidency. Beloved and hated, venerated and reviled, Andrew Jackson was an orphan who fought his way to the pinnacle of power, bending the nation to his will in the cause of democracy. Jackson's election in 1828 ushered in a new and lasting era in which the people, not distant elites, were the guiding force in American politics. Democracy made its stand in the Jackson years, and he gave voice to the hopes and the fears of a restless, changing nation facing challenging times at home and threats abroad. To tell the saga of Jackson's presidency, acclaimed author Jon Meacham goes inside the Jackson White House. Drawing on newly discovered family letters and papers, he details the human drama-the family, the women, and the inner circle of advisers-that shaped Jackson's private world through years of storm and victory. One of our most significant yet dimly recalled presidents, Jackson was a battle-hardened warrior, the founder of the Democratic Party, and the architect of the presidency as we know it. His story is one of violence, sex, courage, and tragedy. With his powerful persona, his evident bravery, and his mystical connection to the people, Jackson moved the White House from the periphery of government to the center of national action, articulating a vision of change that challenged entrenched interests to heed the popular will-or face his formidable wrath. The greatest of the presidents who have followed Jackson in the White House-from Lincoln to Theodore Roosevelt to FDR to Truman-have found inspiration in his example, and virtue in his vision. Jackson was the most contradictory of men. The architect of the removal of Indians from their native lands, he was warmly sentimental and risked everything to give more power to ordinary citizens. He was, in short, a lot like his country: alternately kind and vicious, brilliant and blind; and a man who fought a lifelong war to keep the republic safe-no matter what it took. Jon Meacham in American Lion has delivered the definitive human portrait of a pivotal president who forever changed the American presidency-and America itself. From the Hardcover edition.
Customer Reviews:
Avg. Customer Rating: 3.5 / 5.0
Overrated ad Ultimately Boring The reviews of this book overrated it by a long shot. Most of it dissects the personal conflicts between his close confidents and is of extremely limitted interest. The interesting conflicts, such as that of the bank, his fights with Congress, his Indian resettlement policy,and his views on slavery are basically superficial. His evaluations of Jackson are generalizations and are repeated ad naseum. Even with his essential approval of Jackson, it would help if in the perspective of history he had examined... more info
Comp[ared to other historical books Well written-but not as interestingly as McCullough's writings. My one critisism is too many words were spent on the women in his life.
Meacham's American Lion Book is well worth reading. Illuminates Jackson,s role as a strong executive leader. Saw himself as an advocate of the common people as long as they were not black or red.Those with a bent for history will especially like it. Burt Shachter.
A Very Timely Volume I very much enjoyed reading Meacham's biography on Andrew Jackson. In the past few years there have been a series of biographies about the men that made America and shaped her ideals - from Chernow's brilliant Hamilton Biography to others on Adams, Jefferson, etc. Hopefully Americans will gain more familiarity with this very interesting and complex man and the times he lived in. With Jackson, Meacham chose a remarkably good target at the present time with our recent economic troubles. Jackson is the... more info
