The definitive biography of a larger-than-life president who defied norms, divided a nation, and changed Washington foreverAndrew 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 … 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.
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Andrew Jackson is one of the more reviled presidents in our history. But he entered office at a pivotal time. He also had just lost his wife right before inauguration and this certainly changed who he had been.
There’s also the issue of being the first American president to have an assassination attempt. The assassin fired a derringer at him and …
I found it a good read but I really like history and biographies. I have read several of Meacha’s books and enjoyed them and he author does a fairly good job of expressing the many facets of Jackson’s complex personality and idiosyncrasies. Somehow I felt he was still a bit too sympathetic to Jackson but that was just a personal impression. I …
An excellent biography about a complex man who did much good for our country, but also had some bad decisions as well. In this day of cancel culture, people should read this book for a complete examination of Pres. Jackson.
Great stuff from a great author.
I don’t think I finished; I got bogged down. But as we form opinions of current presidents and politics, it is only fair to get this look at earlier people and processes. I’m thinking that politics has not always brought out the best in Americans!
As usual for Meacham, the book is thorough. It illuminates both we’ll know aspects of the President’s life and little know elements. A balanced, somewhat favorable assessment is given. While new perspectives are shared, unsupported “revisionist” claims are avoided.
Best historian/writer of his type.
Wow. Just wow. I am so glad I took the time to read this book. No matter where you fall in present-day politics, this book is brimming with lessons. So often, I felt as if (minus the period specifics of lifestyle) I could have just as easily been reading about the current administration. The similarities were so striking. We like to think we’re in …
Historian Jon Meacham has a way of making history read like a blockbuster novel. He brilliantly brings the colorful Andrew Jackson to life.
Amazing relevant to politics today. Very interesting.
I was surprised at how readable this book was. Often times biographies of historical figures can get bogged down in tedium. This was not too bad!
Excellent history, a balanced view of a complex man. Reads well, does a good job of mixing personal anecdotes from Jacksons life with policy and ties to future policy.
Jacksons shortcomings noted, but his interesting personnal cabinet and new approach to the presidency also noted
For all the bad press that Jackson receives in our time, it is good to look back on how he was perceived during his own time as a two term President of the United States. He had a very bad episode with the Trail of Tears tragedy but that is not the sum total of his Presidency. Fascinating parallels with our current President.
Good read and accurate but a bit too detailed in non-important issues
Dry not what I expected
It’s my first about Andrew Jackson, so I have no direct comparison. In general, it seemed to cover the key points, in a suitably readable style. So it does the job on that level. But in tone and content, it seemed a bit overly fawning, spending more time lionizing him than holding him to account or at least getting inside his head in terms of why …
Informative well documented biography written in a fluid easy to read style.
Interesting historical perspective
I got to know who Andrew Jackson was. I had been to the Hermitage so I could visualize his being there. To know he rose from an orphan to President was inspiring. Hi love of family (his wife’s relatives) that strengthened him. And it was fun to know the part my ancestors played in his life. I had been told from childhood that he was a relative. …
Very informative