Andrew Jackson: His Life and Times
by H.W. Brands
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Book Reviews of Andrew Jackson: His Life and Times
Book Review: You'll never look at your wallet the same way again.
Summary: 5 Stars
OK - I'll admit how little I knew of Jackson as I started this biography. Battle of New Orleans, Old Hickory, Hermitage, 7th President, and that was about it. If you find yourself close to my level of ignorance, then you owe it to yourself to read this book.
Brands has written a biography that reads like fiction. In a life that stretched from the Revolution to the entry of Texas, Jackson was instrumental in the shaping of both our current notion of representative democracy and the actual shape that our Union now assumes. One could argue that he is the most influential President not on Mt. Rushmore.
Brands' biography touches on the unsavory side of Jackson: his slave holding, dueling, and most of all, his instrumental role in seizing America from the Native American tribes. I think Brands stops short of exonerating Jackson, but he does place him in context. The reader is left to be the final judge, but there is little doubt that Brands feels Jackson's undeniable greatness overshadows his undeniable flaws.
Overall, I found this a fascinating look at an unjustly forgotten great American. Reading this was time well spent.
Book Review: 560 pages of fun
Summary: 4 Stars
This book was a lot of fun to read. It is true that Brands is not the same kind of storyteller as McCullough, but he still writes well enough that the book never seems pedantic or boring. One thing I really enjoyed was that Brands was able to treat so many different events and other contemporaries of Jackson in a way that did not detract from the biography of 'Old Hickory.' At times Brands seems to jump around a lot, but I'm sure he had to do this in order to give a really good general overview of one of the most important presidents this country has had. I agree with a previous reviewer that Brands did use several words I did not know, but I actually appreciated that because it forced me to augment my vernacular. I would have liked to learn more about Jackson's family life and relationship with his son (and 'adopted' sons) and more about his religious convictions and how those guided (or didn't guide) him in his endeavors. Still, I'd rather have one volume with broad treatment of some elements than to have to wade through three or four. I also really enjoy Remini's work, particularly his book 'The Battle of New Orleans,' one of the best history books I have read.Book Review: Fine Biography of Andrew Jackson
Summary: 4 Stars
Andrew Jackson was a major figure in American history from his service in the War of 1812 through his presidency. And even in retirement after his departure from Washington, D. C., he was still an important figure in American politics.
His life parallelled the American development from a new nation to one that was rapidly developing during his presidency and thereafter.
This book deals with the highs (military victories, political victories, a great ambition being matched by great accomplishment) and lows (the attacks on him and his wife, his wife's death just before he became president, his wars with Nicholas Biddle and the National Bank).
He was almost larger than life, with a rigidity and sense of self-esteem that led to duels and fights, often over matters of rather little import; he often stood up for underdogs, perhaps reflecting the times that he was subject to embarrassment; his challenge to his own Vice President to maintain the Union was a defining moment in his presidency.
All in all, if one has never encountereed Andrew Jackson in any depth before, this is a good starting point.
Book Review: Great Popular History
Summary: 5 Stars
This new history of Jackson goes a long way to rehibiliate the oft-forgotten president and bring back into the limelight he deserves. This book follows his entire career and only a portion of it is about him as president. Jackson single handedly recreated American politics, and we all know the story of the party that followed him to the white house. He was a truly popular president, the first of his kind.
He was slapped on the face by a British officer in the Revolutionary war. In the excellently recreated Battle of New Orleans we learn how he handed the British their greatest defeat in the war of 1812, after the war had already ended.
We see Jackson the Indian fighter as well. However Jacksons political career and rise is also fascinating. He sold out the Cherokees, for which he is roundly condemned in American classrooms, but he also beat down the federal bank, and he inauguarted a mafia like kitchen cabinet to handle the nation. He was a fierce nationalist and backwoods swashbuckling American, in the tradition of Polk, Lincoln and TR.
A good read.
Seth J. Frantzman
Book Review: enjoyable, but a little too long
Summary: 4 Stars
Brands is insightful, but long winded in Andrew Jackson: His Life and Times. There is a lot of great historical information in this biographical work with pleanty of surrounding historical analysis.
Jackson versus John Quincy Adams comes out loud and clear from Brands' work and seems to be the main theme which I enjoyed very much. Like the earlier debate between Jefferson and Hamilton, Brands gives interesting insight into this American debate over the fate of the county.
Another interesting theme that Brands hits on is Jackson's undying devotion to the "union," a cause taken up by Abraham Lincoln as well. While their political philosophies were very different, the defining greatness of each of these leaders started with "what's in the best interest of the union." Their times, as Brands gets out, defines the winner of the debate and the futire of the country.
You won't be disappointed having read this book, but it is long and, in some cases, probably could have been shortened.