American Lion: Andrew Jackson in the White House

"American Lion" is a Pulitzer Prize winning bio of Andrew Jackson's two terms in the White House. Jackson was the 7th US President and served from March of 1829 to March 1837. I knew very little about Jackson coming into this book and was pleasantly surprised about his many critical successes. Jackson was a trailblazer in both the literal and figurative. For example, AJ's predecessors rarely vetoed legislation that came across their desk; this did not deter Jackson from vetoing many pieces of legislation from a rather hostile Congress. Previous administrations had seldom replaced government careerists. Jackson felt new blood was needed as he succeeded John Quincy Adams and he terminated over 900 federal employees, replacing them with Jackson loyalists soon after his inauguration. Meacham does an excellent job of setting the stage by identifying the key issues of the day, some of which Jackson would struggle with throughout his two terms. These included: 1.) the power of Biddle's Second Bank of the United States, a Bank that Jackson believed made loans to influence elections, 2.) the possibility of South Carolina's secession, note this was almost 35 years before its actual occurrence in the early 60's triggering the Civil War, 3.) the removal of Native Americans to lands west of the Mississippi, 4.) separation of Church and State, 5.) the role of federal government v state government, 6.) pirates ! One theme that keeps repeating is that though the country had been formed more than 50 years ago, many officials were still debating what the US would be, the roles of the major branches of government, and the interpretation of founding documents. It was very interesting to read of situations and arguments that sound amazingly similar to many events that take place today in Washington. Then there are the practices in Jackson's time that have changed. Things like daily horse rides through the streets of DC with VP Martin Van Buren, or the tawdry idea that candidates, especially the President, would openly campaign for office. And for those readers who enjoy soap opera, there is the Eaton affair, which consumed much of DC throughout Jackson's first term - amazing as it was, it got a bit boring after a while. All things considered, a 5 star book. I am glad to see the Pulitzer committee agrees with me. I am flabbergasted that the book has such a low reader average score. By the way, my paperback edition was only 361 pages - not sure how one of the print editions got to over 500 pages. Hats off to Meacham who did the historian thing of giving all the facts and details, then analyzing them for historical context, but mostly for making the book very readable and enjoyable.

Meacham gives a comprehensive summary of Jackson’s life, with most focus on his presidential career. Jackson was a true populist who connected with the people as a whole. He also drove his detractors crazy. He did not hesitate to use his presidential authority, or to expand it. He had a strong sense of what was right, and he didn’t fail to follow his gut. He was also a politician able to compromise. One wishes for more nuance and psychological struggle in the depiction. But the historian can only work with the available sources. Meacham’s description of Jackson is fair and revealing, A great starting place in understanding Jackson.

Just completed a wonderful book of a President who changed the course of history. I particularly enjoyed the manner in which Jon Meacham presented the history, the stories from personal letters of information and the emotional levels which are believed to be honest depths Jackson experienced while president. The choices he had, the pressures to reach a decision he felt would be fair for the people, the challenges to meet those who opposed him were overwhelming. Secession attempts by South Carolina, the Federal Bank, relocation of the many Indian tribes, the inequality of those who worked to survive, and the fight to establish Texas as part of our United States, all challenges. Personally, I did not agree with all his decisions but I respect the effort, the need for family and love of family. I feel he was ahead of his time in history in ideas, but did not complete some things soon enough that they became a disaster. Some of the goals he had were reached by others who served after President Andrew Jackson. I gave a rating of 5 for the value in knowledge provided of our nation's history and the research and writing done by Jon Meacham. Thanks

The author seems to like to include many thoughts in each sentence, using dashes before and after modifying clauses. This causes the reader to read the entire sentences again. I may have found just one typo in this long book. The author did extensive research on the life of Andrew Jackson and his extended family. This is not an easy book to read, especially when the author goes into detail about some of the political challenges Andrew jackson faced as president. The chapters about his family were much easier to read. I wanted to learn more about this man who according to family tradition was a distant cousin of a great-great grandparent. The author tells us the good, the bad, and the terrible truths about this man who was considered by some to be one of the best presidents. I have to wonder if a subsequent president has tried to copy the Lion without having the knowledge or the skills of the Lion.

Ok, but….. Too much extraneous character stories besides Jackson himself! Very difficult to keep track of all the characters in Jackson’s life. Although, the book finished very nicely, but overall, a tough read!

Excellent book that I think fairly chronicles Jackson’s life. I knew very little about him before reading it. It should be required reading for all high school students in the United States. Jackson was one of the most consequential presidents that subsequent presidents looked to for inspiration. Absolutely remarkable for an orphan that had no formal education. We should learn from Jackson how valuable our Union is and that internal forces that are trying to tear it apart will rue the day that they succeed.

Book looks amazing just didn’t expect the pages to look very choppy and cut uneven

I enjoyed this Jackson biography. You read about his difficult childhood (his mother and father and brother died young), and his growing military skills and his triumph at the Battle of New Orleans. You also read about his controversial courtship and subsequent marriage (it was rumored that his wife was still married to her first husband, and bigamist charges were thrown around during Jackson's Presidential runs. Sad to say, she died just a couple of weeks after he was elected President). Jackson was fiercely patriotic and stood strong against the efforts of South Carolina to fight for the right to secede from the Union. The first couple of years of Jackson's administration was plagued with scandal over his secretary of war and whether or not his wife was an adulterer,but Jackson fiercely stood by his friend. You also read about Jackson's support for the removal of Indians from their native lands and sending them out east on reservations (The Trail of Tears). His deception of the Indians is not one of his shining moments. But Jackson is noteworthy for increasing the powers of the Presidency. He fired a lot of the sacred cows in government when he got elected and hired people who were faithful to him. He was hated by John Quincy Adams, Henry Clay, and later on, he was even disliked by his own VP John Calhoun. Later in life, he dedicated himself to serving Christ. Meacham writes well and keeps you interested. Good books