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American Lion: Andrew Jackson in the White House Audiobook
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(3.00) - 11,328 listener ratings
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The definitive biography of a larger-than-life president who defied norms, divided a nation, and changed Washington forever 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.
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"This book was a very interesting read. I started reading it because Andrew Jackson is one of my favorite presidents. I knew I liked his standing on money, credit and central banks. I had no idea he was also such a dynamic man. I found this book to be lacking in its coverage of Jackson's fight against the central bank. As one of his presidency's biggest issues, the author barely scratches the surface of what proved to be a dirt and hard fought battle against Nicholas Biddle and his apologists. I really liked the authors coverage of the General's character though. Jackson is a man who tended to marginalize the nations elite but was very loved by the people. One of my favorite stories was about a man who was once hunted down by Jackson for a duel, but later became one of his most trusted friends and advisers. A deep thinking political player as well as a fierce family man Jackson is the very definition of the strong american president. A man who would rather be addressed as General than Mr. President, he shaped the current office in ways I didn't understand until I read this book. I regret that many Presidents that I despise took their authority and modeled their abuse using Jackson's presidency as a model for their abuse. I differ with Jackson on many issues that he faced during his presidency but there is no denying his strength of character, for this I am in awe of his accomplishments and legacy. I only wish we had the General back to vanquish our own central bank."
— William (4 out of 5 stars)
Awards
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Winner of the 2009 Pulitzer Prize for Biography/Autobiography
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A New York Times bestseller
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A USA Today bestseller
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New York Times Book Review 100 Notable Books for Nonfiction, 2008
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A 2008 Los Angeles Times Book Prize Nominee for Biography
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Winner of Pulitzer Prize, 2009
American Lion Listener Reviews
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" My book club on the whole really liked this book, and several were Meacham fans. I found it slow going, with lots of fact, many really interesting, and a feel for the politics of that era. Not much has changed, has it, with politics unbelievably dirty. I didn't get a feel for the man, and certainly had little sympathy with him. I realize he changed a great deal about the running of our country in fact a pivotal figure in our history. A good biography, but not a favorite of mine. Perfect for an American history buff. "
— Rdonn, 2/16/2014 -
" Really enjoyed this one. Andrew Jackson is a fascinating character - the quintessential American self-made man with amazing qualities and damnable flaws. "
— Ian, 2/10/2014 -
" Overall, a good read. I could have done with less editorializing from the author/narrator. "
— Stephanie, 2/7/2014 -
" Fascinating and unusual man. However I got bogged down in the details and didn't finish it. "
— Terra, 2/4/2014 -
" Great storytelling, not too much detail. Jackson was quite a character. "
— Tim, 2/2/2014 -
" Very interesting information as the pettyness that existed wtihin Washington even back then. Also, information relatvie to the forced movement of the various Indian tribes that ultimately resulted in thousands of people perishing. "
— Stosh, 1/30/2014 -
" Loved it, loved it, loved it. Great insight into the man one guy on MARTA called "an Indian-killing sociopath." Hey, it's never a bad thing to know more about our history. "
— Caroline, 1/9/2014 -
" I wanted to love this book and thought that Andrew Jackson makes for a compelling subject, however the author took this feisty American and turned his story into a boring and tedious read. "
— JoJami, 1/8/2014 -
" If he liked you (or you reminded him of his mother), Andrew Jackson had your back. If you crossed him... "
— Margaret, 1/3/2014 -
" Andrew Jackson. Interesting in that he felt the country was first. If he believed that it was best for the country he would fight for it. He would not waiver. It was his way of the highway. He was for slavery and allowed some terrible things to be done to Indians. "
— Tom, 12/22/2013 -
" Great story, well written. Really shed a lot of light on that particular period of history. "
— Kstrumpf, 12/12/2013 -
" It was pretty good. Not a fast page-turner, but I did learn a lot. "
— April, 12/2/2013 -
" Fascinating read about the first man to begin shaping the presidency into a powerful branch of our government. He may have been the toughest president America has ever known. So much happened in a lifetime it's somewhat unbelievable. Good research done by Mr. Meacham. "
— Cole, 12/1/2013 -
" It was a good book. I really didn't know much about Jackson prior to reading this book other than 'you either love him or hate him'. A very complex man indeed. "
— Diane, 7/18/2013 -
" Jackson was a dragon! He broke with Presidential tradition, ignored military ceremony, and even married his wife while she was still married to someone else! This book provided an entertaining glimpse into the life of the hero of New Orleans and the fascinating era of his Presidency. "
— Katie, 1/18/2013 -
" Excellent one-volume biography of Jackson with emphasis on his years in the White House. Well worth the time. "
— John, 10/17/2012 -
" Just finished reading this book. He was an amazing person, and dedicated to serving his country. "
— Emilio, 9/15/2012 -
" What this really did was make me want to find a multi-volume biography of Andrew Jackson. Something you can sink your teeth into. He's such a busy guy that this book reads like a summary - and it is only covers eight years of his life. "
— Elh52, 3/26/2012 -
" Interesting at first but got bogged down in details that finally rendered the book rather boring unless you just have an overriding interest in Andrew Jackson's letters and life that is much stronger than mine. "
— Wayne, 2/4/2012 -
" I hated this book. I don't know why I finished it. I gave it two stars because I learned some history from it but it was boring, jumped from subject to subject and glossed over some pretty horrible things done by Jackson in order to get to praising him. "
— Jaylin, 1/19/2012 -
" It was fun to be reminded that politics never change. The same rivalries and partisanship we see today were already an issue for the 7th President of the USA. "
— Christian, 1/13/2012 -
" too much personal, not enough politics "
— David, 11/18/2011 -
" Wasn't thrilled with this. But it may be because I wasn't thrilled with Andrew Jackson. "
— Paul, 11/2/2011 -
" Good book. Disappointed at the level of detail and the fact that 39% of the book were notes and references. "
— Donald, 9/11/2011 -
" <br/>Fantastic yet troubling book about the nation's 7th president. Jackson represented a type of patriotism that was by turns heroic and calloused, but it was always deadly. "
— Dav8d777, 5/21/2011 -
" too much personal, not enough politics "
— David, 4/25/2011 -
" An exhausting and thorough analysis of one of America's greatest and defining presidents. Also noted is his reprehensible attitude towards Native Americans and perception of slavery, both products of his cultural upbringing. "
— Owen, 4/23/2011 -
" Being a great fan of Old Hickory, i was really disappointed in this book . It spent far too much time exploring the political intrigues of his administration to the neglect of his many accomplishments which shaped this country. "
— Bank, 4/20/2011 -
" Really enjoyed this one. Andrew Jackson is a fascinating character - the quintessential American self-made man with amazing qualities and damnable flaws. "
— Ian, 4/19/2011 -
" Concentrated too much on the soap opera aspect of his presidency. "
— Emma, 4/12/2011 -
" I just started reading this Andrew Jackson biography the other day, and it's very good. I like Meacham's writing style--and Jackson himself seems to be an charming and rakish figure, as portrayed by Meacham, who will be fun to read about. I'm at about page 35 at this point. "
— Roxane, 4/7/2011 -
" Seems like American History skips over this period quickly. But if Lincoln liked Jackson, I think I will. "
— John, 4/2/2011 -
" It was a good book. I really didn't know much about Jackson prior to reading this book other than 'you either love him or hate him'. A very complex man indeed. "
— Diane, 3/13/2011
About Jon Meacham
Jon Meacham is a Pulitzer Prize–winning biographer and the author of several New York Times bestsellers, including three that have made their #1 bestsellers list. He is a contributing writer for the New York Times Book Review and a contributing editor of Time magazine, and he holds the Rogers Chair in the American Presidency at Vanderbilt University
About Richard McGonagle
Richard McGonagle is an Earphones Award–winning narrator and an experienced film, television, and voice-over actor. He has appeared in such films as Rules of Engagement and such television shows as The Practice and JAG.