American Lion by John Meacham is a great read on our 7th president. I recently told my wife and son that I wanted to read a biography on each of our presidents. My goal is to hopefully read some of the best biographies on each of the 44 men who have occupied the oval office. In reading American Lion I have definitely done that in regards to the presidency of Andrew Jackson. Before any of you contemplate what a bore it would be to read books that are as thick as most dictionaries, please consider that the majority of the ones that I have read so far, and this one included, were very readable; and that will be a quality that I will consider as select other books as well. This book was fascinating. It completely destroys many of the myths that many of us have grown up with in regards to Andrew Jackson. He is hailed as the president of the common man and the first president to be born on the frontier, and unfortunately that brings with it certain pictures and preconceived ideas that are hard for us to shake. This image is also encouraged by the chaotic events that surrounded his inauguration. However, as one reads this book, a much different and more accurate and honest picture is painted of Andrew Jackson. Even if reading a book on each of the Presidents is not on your to do list, this is one of the books that you need to read. In quality, this ranks up there with my favorite authors, such as Joseph Ellis and David McCullough. In history, the period surrounding and including Jackson’s presidency is one of the most significant in our country and deserves our understanding. The Jacksonian era is a twenty year period that revolutionized and transformed American politics for ever. It is believed that Jackson is responsible for elevating the office of the President to it’s most privileged status as he brought the office to the center of action in our government rather than the fringes.
This book is well-worth your time and I encourage you to put it on your to read list. A Pulitzer Prize winning book it is right up there in style with the great David McCullough biographies that are so popular.
Here is what I have read so far in regards to my goal of reading a book on each President:
George Washington- His Excellency by Joseph Ellis
John Adams- John Adams by David McCullough; Passionate Sage by Joseph Ellis
Thomas Jefferson- American Sphinx by Joseph Ellis
Andrew Jackson- American Lion by Jon Meacham
Abraham Lincoln- Lincoln by David Herbert Donald
Theodore Roosevelt- Mornings on Horseback by David McCullough (though this doesn’t cover his presidency-so I do have one on my shelf yet to read)
Harry Truman- Truman by David McCullough
Ronald Reagan- President Reagan: the Role of a Lifetime by Lou Cannon
I believe that is it, so 8 down just 36 to go.
John
Jess
