American Lion

Author: Jon Meacham
Genre: Biography
Publisher: Random House Publishing, 2008
Pages: 512
Rating: Recommend

Synopsis: 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.

Review: "The Hermitage," has long been on my list of places to see, and we plan to do that this summer. As a result, when I saw this book on the shelf at the library, I took a chance.

Andrew Jackson was was mentioned in my college history courses of course, but references to him were also glossed over. It's hard to take someone with 20th and 21st century experiences and imagine life in the early 1800s. He displaced tribes of Native Americans, ignored treaty after treaty, and was pro-slavery. He also expanded the federal government. My 21st century self would never have voted for him. But, he did have the populist vote at the time, and he managed to keep the union together for the time being. Clearly this was a different time and place, and in hindsight, all we can do here in 2014, is learn from the mistakes of the past.

I am bursting with curiosity to see how the staff at "The Hermitage" portray him.