About this title: Siegenthaler pens the story of the pivotal president who watched over America's westward expansion and solidified the dream of Jacksonian democracy.
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Description: Good. Shows some signs of wear, and may have some markings on the inside. Shipped to over one million happy customers. Your purchase benefits world literacy! read more
Description: Fine. Book club edition in like new condition. DJ is super glossy & clean. Binding-tight & square. Pages are tight, clean, straight, & unmarked. F6d. read more
Edition: First Edition
Binding: Hardcover
Publisher: Times Books, Westminister, Maryland, U.S.A.
Date Published: 2004
ISBN-13:9780805069426ISBN:0805069429
Description: As New in As New jacket. Hardcover in jacket. read more
Binding: Hardcover
Publisher: Times Books
Date Published: 2004-01-04
ISBN-13:9780805069426ISBN:0805069429
Description: Like New. Clean, Unmarked Copy, Tight, Square Binding, Small Surface Ding on Bottom Edge of Boards Dust Cover Has Light Edge Wear on Corner Tips, Priority Shipping recommended for prompt delivery by USPS when offered, Delivery Confirmation on all domestic items where available. read more
Edition: First edition.
Binding: Hardcover
Publisher: Times Books
Date Published: 2004
ISBN-13:9780805069426ISBN:0805069429
Description: New in New jacket. New Unread First Edition 2004 as Stated Hardcover w/DJ Sewn binding. Cloth over boards. 208 p. American Presidents (Times). Audience: General/trade. All books carefully packed in sturdy cardboard and shipped within 24 hours. read more
Edition: First edition.
Binding: Hardcover
Publisher: Times Books
Date Published: 2004
ISBN-13:9780805069426ISBN:0805069429
Description: New in New jacket. New Unread First Edition 2004 as Stated Hardcover w/DJ Sewn binding. Cloth over boards. 208 p. American Presidents (Times). Audience: General/trade. All books carefully packed in sturdy cardboard and shipped within 24 hours. read more
Binding: Hardcover
Publisher: Times Books
Date Published: 2004-01-04
ISBN-13:9780805069426ISBN:0805069429
Description: New. Book is Brand New, Gift condition. Free tracking # included! International buyers are welcome. We ship every business day. 100% Satisfaction Guaranteed! read more
Edition: First Edition
Binding: Hardcover
Publisher: Times Books, Westminister, Maryland, U.S.A.
Date Published: 2004
ISBN-13:9780805069426ISBN:0805069429
Binding: Hardback
Publisher: Henry Holt & Co
Date Published: 2004
ISBN-13:9780805069426ISBN:0805069429
Description: New. Siegenthaler pens the story of the pivotal president who watched over America's westward expansion and solidified the dream of Jacksonian democracy. read more
Edition: First Edition First Printing
Binding: Hardcover
Publisher: Times Books, Westminister, Maryland, U.S.A.
Date Published: 2004
ISBN-13:9780805069426ISBN:0805069429
Description: Fine-As New in As New jacket. Signed by Author-not Personalized Signed by author John Seigenthaler and by former Governor of Tennessee Ned McWherter at event at Mario's in Nashville, NOT ex library. No marks, no prior owner names. NOT a book club edition. Text complete and unmarked. Packed carefully in a cardboard box filled with recycled styrofoam type peanuts. We have been voted Nashville's best used bookstore the last 10 years in a row. bx 263. read more
Edition: 1st Edition
Binding: Hardcover
Publisher: Times Books
Date Published: 2004
ISBN-13:9780805069426ISBN:0805069429
Description: Fine/Fine. 0805069429 Inscribed By Author Signed & dated in year of publication by author on title page in black felt tip, which has bleed through to the verso and slightly spotted the following page. read more
"Arthur Schlesinger, Jr. is the overall editor of the "American Presidents" series. This features short biographies of American presidents, their backgrounds, their accomplishments (or lack thereof), and their post-presidency lives. The purpose of this series, in Schlesinger's words (Page xvi): "It is the aim of the American Presidents series to present the grand panorama of our chief executives in volumes compact enough for the busy reader, lucid enough for the students, authoritative enough for the scholar."
Nicknamed "Little Hickory," after Andrew Jackson, as his political career matured, James K. Polk is routinely judged to be one of the better American presidents. However, for the most part, he is little known to most Americans. This book provides a basis for understanding why his reputation among historians is so positive. The author, John Siegenthaler, insists that (Pages 1-2): "In the nineteenth century, only Thomas Jefferson, Andrew Jackson, and Abraham Lincoln would wield the power of the office of chief magistrate as effectively."
The book discusses his family background and his youth. He had some serious medical problems, leading to surgery in a time where surgery was not far from butchery. He was intellectually rigid, not very imaginative, was incapable of thinking outside the box. Yet he was talented and determined to achieve his goals.
Early in his career, "Old Hickory" and Polk became allies. It was a relationship that would redound greatly to Polk's benefit. He was a firm Democrat, in Jackson's tradition. In the 1820s, he was elected to the House of Representatives. After Jackson's accession to the Presidency, Polk served as one of his champions in Congress, eventually becoming Speaker of the House.
Then, he returned to Tennessee to run for Governor. He triumphed. However, after this, his political luck disappeared, as he became a two time loser. In the run-up to the presidential race in 1844, his only desire was to become the Vice-Presidential nominee of the Democratic Party. He became the first "dark horse" candidate to be nominated as President (the machinations are worth reading!) and then elected to the highest office in the land. He had promised to serve only one time and listed 4 goals that he intended to achieve, including the admission of Texas into the Union.
After many struggles and much pain, he succeeded. However, the tough years in the White House had an effect on him, and he was dead shortly after his term ended.
This book is a good read; it is relatively brief (156 pages of text); it lays out why he is rated so highly, although one can surely disagree with his positions. I would recommend this highly for what it is--a brief introduction to a person who is rated as one of our better presidents."
"Probably the worst book on an interesting presidency I have every read. I don't even remember what about the book made it so boring. Maybe it was an entirely banal writing-style, maybe it was an unnecessarily academic approach to the subject. Whatever it was, I will never read another book from this series."
"This is one of a series of many books about the American Presidents. Polk is an interesting and dynamic leader, somewhat forgotten in the mix of presidents. The series is very good as well and worth the effort to acquire and read."
"This book is part of a series, The American Presidents, that tries to connect the events of each presidents life and career with the events and culture around him. According to Mr. Seigenthaler, James Polk was one of our most effective presidents. In his single term of office (having chosen up front not to seek reelection) he managed to complete the annexation of Texas, acquire the California territory, establish a fixed border between Canada and the U.S. and create an independent treasury. Yet he lacked the charisma of other effective leaders, like Jackson or Lincoln, and hence his name doesn't readily spring to mind when one thinks of the great American presidents. James K. Polk is a good political biography, showing the development of his career and life. It offers a glimpse of Jacksonian politics from the front lines in Congress and on the campaign trail in Tennessee. My only complaint is that it is too short. (I would have enjoyed more info on Polk's childhood and personal life.)"
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