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Wednesday, May 27. 2009

What I'm reading

Andrew Jackson: American Lion by Newsweek editor Jon Meacham.


An imperfect but absorbing book about the Presidency of an interesting American during interesting times.


The Tennessean Andrew Jackson was a tough guy, but a loving, emotionally sensitive and volatile guy. A General and a hard-nosed pol - not a philosopher.

Posted by Bird Dog in History at 14:18 | Comments (4) | Trackbacks (0)

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In the middle of it right now as well. Interesting book although I could do without Meacham's occasional editorializing regarding government granted priviledges and the like. It can't be easy being a modern Democrat while acknowledging that Jackson or Jefferson were founders of your party.
#1 Tom C on 2009-05-27 16:47 (Reply)
If you can't trust Meacham to be honest about the ideology of his magazine, how can you trust him to do an accurate biography?
#2 J Maness on 2009-05-27 18:11 (Reply)
Although I like a lot of things about Jackson, especially his hatred of a central bank (which has proved prescient), I have trouble overlooking the whole "forcing thousands of native Americans to march to their death" thing. Yes it was a different time and racial superiority was the generally held belief, but his actions toward the Cherokee, Seminole, etc. were and are unconscionable.
#3 Captain Obviousness on 2009-05-28 18:28 (Reply)
Try H.W. Brands Jackson bio from 2005. I always get a kick out of the Dems having Jefferson-Jackson dinners every year. There's two guys who wouldn't have much of a home in the Dem Party of today.
#4 Mr. Dart (Link) on 2009-05-29 11:44 (Reply)

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