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."
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William (4 out of 5 stars)