Most Helpful Customer Reviews
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
1.0 out of 5 stars
What happened, Professor Marrin?, July 24, 2011
This review is from: Old Hickory:Andrew Jackson and the American People (Hardcover)
This is the tenth book I have read and purchased written by Professor Marrin. I initially came across him while writing my senior thesis for college and I have been impressed with his writing ever since...until now. Perhaps my disappointment comes from the reality that I have only read his older books, whereas this one was written in 2006; perhaps with time the author has become more "progressive" and revisionist in his writing. Besides the obvious inaccuracies (Marrin writes that the Act of Union between Scotland and England occurred in 1607 when it was 1707. Marrin writes that the 3/5 Clause in the Constitution placed the value of a black person at 3/5 a human being, a typical revisionist idea. Even a superficial knowledge of the Constitution causes one to understand that only 3/5 of blacks were counted as a WHOLE, not as an individual), Marrin also takes "potshots" at whites in general. When he mentions that Jackson had a black female slave, he subtlety attempts to interject that "they may have been sex partners," but then never gives any proof and never even mentions the relationship again. In a former book Professor Marrin wrote, "Struggle for a Continent: The French and Indian Wars, 1690-1760," he describes the brutality of both native people and whites. In this book, all the brutality seems to be on the part of whites, who, Professor Marrin would have you believe, wanted nothing more than to kill every native person in the continent. I will freely admit that I haven't finished reading the book, but I cannot expect that the liberal, revisionist tone of the rest of the book will be any different. I will continue to buy Professor Marrin's books, but only if they precede the printing of this one. I don't read history for fiction; I read it to learn the truth. You will not find it in this book. Certainly, I don't agree with much of what President Jackson did, but he deserves better treatment than this. I truly hope that the author returns to the quality of his previous works with their obvious lack of bias.
"The first duty of the historian, which comprehends all others, is fidelity and justice. He must reproduce the history itself, making it live again in his representation. His highest and only aim should be, like a witness, to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, and, like a judge, to do full justice to every person and event which comes under his review."--Philip Schaff
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you? Yes
No
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Marrin does it again!, November 27, 2008
This review is from: Old Hickory:Andrew Jackson and the American People (Hardcover)
Albert Marrin should have stayed in junior high as a teacher. That way maybe we would have a lot more history lovers in America! Since he chose another career path, I am very happy that he continues to write for young people (now more kids can learn to love history!).
As usual, Marrin does an excellent job not only of presenting an memorable character, but explaining the events surrounding his life. I would not recommend this book for younger than at least 7th or 8th grade, but I would recommend it even for adults who want a readable, clear explanation of Old Hickory and his times! Thanks again Mr. Marrin!
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you? Yes
No
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Vivid, unbiased history, May 7, 2008
This review is from: Old Hickory:Andrew Jackson and the American People (Hardcover)
While I have heard great things about Albert Marrin's books, this is the one and only so far that I have read. But yes, it is true: Albert Marrin is a fantastic author and historian who presents the good and bad of this controversial president come alive for young adult readers--or anyone else that would read this.
First off, it's a great-looking book, which is pretty much why I wanted it in the first place. Marrin organized everything very well, showing the different phases of Old Hickorie's life and then his policies. There are plenty of labeled drawings to add a little bit extra to the present discussion.
I especially liked how Marrin approached the subject of Andrew Jackson. While this president was certainly beloved by many people, it's quite possible that he would have been completely despised today save by those our society already completely despises. Simply put, he was a racist, one who put whites above everyone else, namely blacks and Native Americans. He was against the abolitionists and this was the guy who inniated the infamous Cherokee "Trail of Tears."
And yet Jackson was pretty much a product of his time and that is all anyone can do about it, whether we liked his views or not. Despite this abhorencies, Jackson did plenty of good, plenty of shaping of the new nation.
Even though it is clear that Marrin hated many aspects of Andrew Jackson he did appreciate many others. Jackson was a champion of the common people and believed that it was their liberty he was elected to preserve. That shows, for good and bad, all throughout this book.
It's well-written and well-researched, and Marrin is careful not to take sides.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you? Yes
No
|
