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Andrew Jackson

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From the beginning, it is obvious that Remini is fascinated by Jackson. Every description of Jackson fawns over his political acumen, his skills, his bravery, etc. And, as mentioned in another review, as soon as Jackson wins the Battle of New Orleans, "the Hero" becomes a synonym for "Jackson" for the rest of the book. Setting aside how brightly the portrait of Jackson glows, Remini's biography is an excellent introduction to the man and the age he ushered in. From the tales (some of which are duly noted as apocryphal) of his youth to his battles with Congress and foreign powers and, of course, the showdown with South Carolina over tariffs during the Nullification Crisis, Remini manages to hit an ideal balance between surface details and analysis for a popular biography. And while Remini does act the apologist at times, he does little to sugarcoat some of Jackson's more unsavory ideas and traits. All in all, a solid, quick introduction to life of Jackson.

Few American presidents could be said to have left such a distinctive mark on the office and the nation as Andrew Jackson. Even as Jackson's legend fades into the mists of the past, we owe it to ourselves to reach back and draw it up into the light of honor accorded such giants as Washington, Lincoln and FDR, because Jackson was a figure of equal stature. One way to accomplish this is to read Robert V. Remini's concise history entitled simply Andrew Jackson, a quick, yet surprisingly thorough chronicling of Jackson's many achievements as president, politician, general and pivotal figure in the establishment and settlement of the state of Tennessee.

What makes Jackson so interesting is the way his checkered past shaped the trajectory of his Presidency. Decades before Lincoln, he was the first president to be born into rustic circumstances and rise above them to achieve greatness, but unlike Lincoln, his story is not that of a paragon of virtue overcoming adversity with folksy charm and wit. Jackson was a bully, an adulterer, a blowhard and a holder of grudges, character flaws that he eventually reshaped to his advantage, and to that of the nation's.

Humiliated and wounded as a boy during the Revolution, Jackson carried a lethal grudge against the British that eventually got its airing during the War of 1812 when he commanded US forces in the Battle of New Orleans and won a lopsided victory that sent a stinging message to the rest of the world about the folly of underestimating America's determination to defend its sovereignty.

It made him a hero and launched his political career, an enterprise that might have been merely interesting were it not for Jackson's staunch determination to take the smug creatures of privilege in Washington by the scruff of their collective neck and teach them a stern lesson about whose country it really was. By 1828 the nation was already in danger of being sold out to the highest bidder and Jackson rose to power on the promise of snatching Democracy from the jaws of Oligarchy. Remini's speculates that, in some measure, this came from Jackson's early experience after having been ripped off in a land deal by moneyed interests.

In any case, Jackson was as good as his word, going after the all powerful National Bank with a vengeance, staring down the threat of secession on the part of South Carolina over a question of tariffs, and defeating formidable political foes with equal helpings of restraint and ferocity. Jackson helped found the state of Tennessee, was instrumental in the establishment of the Democratic Party, virtually invented modern campaigning, was the first president to wield the veto with brio, and elevated the office of the Presidency to its present formidable role. But Jackson's most lasting contribution was his faith in and reliance on the people, even after he'd been elected, a true Democrat of a type almost entirely missing today and one not likely to be resurrected any time soon.

Remini is a comprehensive Jackson scholar, one whose works on the Hero of New Orleans number eleven. This book is more or less an abridged version of his longer work and represents a cherry picking of facts and reflections. Regrettably, the book favors facts over reflections which is unfortunate, because one would like to know more about Remini's interpretations of events. But if you want to pick up a basic understanding of Andrew Jackson and his importance to American history this book is a wonderful start.

Jackson's parting words on leaving office were, "Remember, my fellow citizens, that eternal vigilance by the people is the price of liberty, and that you must pay the price if you wish to secure the blessing." What politician would ever say that today?

That Jackson is increasingly forgotten when discussing the great Presidents of our history says something, too, about our ability to retain the blessing for future generations.

"Andrew Jackson" is a brief (just over 200 pages) but entertaining look at the 7th President of the US. Robert Remini looks at what made Jackson a great President and greater politician focusing on selected issues, such as his fight with the Bank of the United States.

The one drawback is Remini being such a partisan in favor of Jackson. Granted, the brevity of this book precludes from going into depth on many issues, but anything that puts a dim light on "the Hero", as Remini calls him, is mentioned in a sentence and left by the wayside.

For a quick read, this book is worthwhile, but for a more in-depth treatment of Jackson, read the "Age of Jackson" by Schlesinger or Remini's own excellent 3 volume Jackson bio.

This may not be the most thorough of biographies but it is very good. Although Mr. Remini does seem to admire Andrew Jackson, he doesn't gloss over his failings: his treatment of the Cherokee Nation, his inability to see the need for some sort of central bank, his brutal treatment of just about everybody during the Indian wars. I felt the author's refering to Andrew Jackson as 'the hero' was done more for artistic flourish rather than concrete evaluation.

The book is an easy read and Mr. Remini is an entertaining writer. He packs an amazing amount of information into the 200 pages of this book. I am looking forward to reading his three volume biography of Andrew Jackson.

Professor Remini's book, Andrew Jackson, is a well written and interesting biography of one of our greatest presidents. This well written, smooth reading book reads as if it were a novel. It draws on the main points of Jackson's life and times, and does it concisely. It is just over 200 pages therefore it should not scare off the casual reader, whith overwhelming size. Check out Remnini's other Jacksonian books because he is the eminent Jacksonian historian.

Author Robert Remini's 3-volume biography of Andrew Jackson is acknowledged to be one of the best. However, for someone - like me - for whom Jackson has long been an object of fascination but, regretfully, not someone that I was taught about in school or have had time to research on my own, I found the slender book detailed here the perfect introduction to "Sharp Knife" (the Indian nickname for Jackson.)

Mr. Remini hits the high points (Jackson's origins, his role in the Revolutionary War, his courtship/marriage to Rachel Robards, his role in Indian affairs and the battle of New Orleans, as well as his two terms as President) in an efficient, informal manner. Stylistically, the book's contents are a broad brush-stroke, designed to provide a "jumping-off point" for the reader who is little-or-unacquainted with Jackson.

Once you complete this book, if you still don't feel up to the challenge of the 3-volume work, I recommend the one-volume abridgement of same, entitled "The Life Of Andrew Jackson" (ISBN No. 0060937351), which gives even more detail and background than this "introductory" Jackson biography.

By the time you read both of these, you'll be well ready to jump feet-first into Mr. Remini's classic multi-volume masterpiece and further indulge what will surely have become an even greater fascination with the Hero of New Orleans.

This book concentrates on Jackson's skill as a politician and his building of the presidential office. It touches on the significant events of his life. Andrew's father died before he was born. He and his older brothers fought in the Revolution; his older brothers died. Andrew's mother died while caring for prisoners (cholera). The orphan lived with an uncle, tried teaching school, then studied law and was admitted to the bar. When a friend became Judge, Andrew was appointed Prosecutor. Legal fees let him become a large landowner. He met Rachel, the youngest daughter of the Donelsons, one of the most important families in the territory. When Tennessee became a state in 1796, Jackson was elected to Congress, then the Senate. Jackson was appointed Major-General when the War of 1812 began, and was sent to New Orleans. Jackson did not want the help of the local pirates, but the leading businessmen pleaded for their inclusion (experienced artillery). Jackson accepted the support of free men of color. The Battle of New Orleans was an overwhelming victory for America! The excellent marksmanship of American soldiers ("a well-regulated militia"), and Jackson's luck, helped. Jackson showed his high-handed ways by arresting a Federal judge for issuing a writ of habeas corpus to free a local legislator who wrote a newspaper article!

Jackson was appointed Governor of newly acquired Florida. He was incensed by the attempts of the rich and powerful to trample on the rights of the poor and weak (p.89). His policies proved practical and worthwhile; his popularity and political connections made him a likely presidential candidate. But popularity meant little to those who controlled the government. Jackson's well-organized, well-financed, and well-directed campaign was revolutionary. A Central Committee corresponded with other committees around the country, a cadre of Congressmen caucused on strategy. Jackson took positions to straddle the differences among his supporters. This group became the Democratic party, and had rallies, parades, barbecues, dinners. His election was considered the end of government by the large landowners and commercial aristocracy! The Eaton affair caused problems. Jackson was the first strong executive acting to benefit all the people.

The two big problems were the Tariff and Nullification. They were ended by the Compromise Tariff. Jackson then toured the country to popular applause. He was the first President to use the veto for political reasons. Jackson rallied the people for their support, appealed to the public interest. His biggest achievement was the destruction of the Second Bank of the United States, which centralized political and economic power under private control, and was an unregulated monopoly with special privileges. This Bank was resented by state bankers, freeholding farmers, urban wage earners, lawyers, small planters, merchants, and manufacturers. Jackson vetoed its charter renewal. "There are no necessary evils in government. Its evils exist only in its abuses."

The Anti-Masonic Party, the first third party in American history, opposed both Jackson and Henry Clay. Jackson won through party organization. He shuffled his Cabinet, then ordered future government deposits to selected state banks. The Bank curtailed loans and created an economic panic. Some Democrats with National Republicans and others formed the Whig Party. Jackson believed he represented the people against aristocracy and privilege. This doctrine of equality was followed by a wide assortment of reform groups: public education, abolishing debtor's prisons, women's rights, care for the poor, world peace, temperance, improved prisons and insane asylums, and the abolition of slavery. If he did not agree with them, Jackson set these forces into motion by his examples (the first Liberal Democrat?). Jackson was the first to suffer an assassination attempt (a lone gunman). He made Roger Taney Chief Justice (who upheld the right of popular legislators to regulate corporations and property rights). This struck down monopolies and aided the rapid development of industry. Jackson eliminated the national debt through tariffs and land sales. To prevent buying public lands with any kind of paper money, the Specie Circular was passed. The collapse of this speculative bubble was followed by a depression. The Treasury surplus was solved by "depositing" excess funds to state governments (the first tax rebate?). Jackson's Farewell Address warned against the increasing danger of sectionalism, an that eternal vigilance by the people is the price of liberty.

Robert Remini is no doubt one of the most celebrated Jacksonian scholars, and his profound admiration of the seventh president is well known. Any informed reader coming to this book will expect excellent scholarship and a deep pro-Jackson bent. But this book goes beyond "positive press" into the realm of hero worship. It is smooth and easy to read; a good choice, perhaps, if you are dreading having to read a history book. Just understand that there are divergent opinions about General Jackson. So, for instance, where Remini shakes his head in wonder at his "sharp contrasts, angular twists, and sudden turns" in his personality, another would suggest there is an easier way to understand this man: a leader of men, a man of fine physical courage, but at the end of the day a warlord; a man who weighed decisions by his own ambitions and sense of right, hang what any man (or document) may say; a demagogue, and easy prey for the likes of Martin Van Buren. We are also reminded through this book that Remini wrote it 45 years ago, and the viewpoints of a more Euro-centric America show. For instance: during the First Seminole War, the Seminole Indians fled to Spanish Florida in the belief that they were safe from Jackson in Spanish territory. Jackson interprets the event like this: "When the Indians heard they had been turned over to the tender mercies of Andrew Jackson, they fled in terror . . . To the red men all Jackson needed to do was simply point at them and they perished where they stood." Sigh . . .

We had to read this book in my AP U.S. History class. It is good. My theory on the reason why Remini wrote this book was to explain why Jackson did the things he did like the duels and make up for them. I never realized how interesting the presidents were espically Jackson. Good book to read.

This book is an acceptable introduction to Jackson, though it is very short, and skims over mnay topics in a superficial way, but this is, after all, a "Reader's Digest" version book.
That said, having read "Theodore Rex" by Morris, "Truman" by McCullough, "John Adams" by McCullough, and "Alexandar Hamilton" by Chernow,and "Founding Brothers" by Ellis, this book was somewhat of a letdown. Remini is an adequete writer, but certainly not at the level of the aforementioned authors. The book has sort of a "high school book report" feel to it, with short, simple sentences and sometimes dumb and hackneyed similies, cliches, etc. But, if you don't care to plumb the depths of the man by reading the 3 volume set, or the older Jackson bios from the early 1900s, this is a pretty good alternative. The period of history he occupied is not as interesting as the Founding Father's generation, and reading this book will render you more knowledgable about AJ than 99% of the US population.