Polk: The Man Who Transformed the Presidency and America (Hardcover)

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Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Tennessee Democrat James K. Polk is generally ranked among the nation's most effective chief executives. In this straightforward, unnuanced biography, Borneman (1812: The War That Forged a Nation) relates why. Coming into office determined to annex Texas, gain the Oregon Territory from Britain, lower the tariff and reform the national banking system, Polk achieved all four aims in his single term in office (1845–1849). But Borneman overlooks that in more or less completing the nation's lower continental territory, Polk bequeathed a fateful legacy to the nation-not so much transforming the U.S. (as the subtitle overstates) as setting it on the road to civil war. With the annexation of Texas came war with Mexico, which stripped that nation of half its lands while gaining the U.S. the southwest and California. It also unloosed the mad genie of slavery's possible further spread westward. Polk left the nation larger but politically crippled and morally weakened. But Borneman sticks to the narrative and doesn't place his subject in a larger historical context. 'Tis a pity, for Polk's administration ought to be a lesson to all candidates and all presidents at all times. 16 maps. (Apr. 8)
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Review

“A terrific portrait of a man and his times.”—Jon Meacham, author of American Lion and Franklin and Winston

“For quite a while we’ve needed a new biography of James K. Polk–America’s great underrated president. Now, at last, Walter R. Borneman has delivered the goods. This book is both well written and diligently researched. Highly recommended!” –Douglas Brinkley, professor of history at Rice University, author of The Great Deluge

“Borneman gives us a book that is full of interest and insight and is a pleasure to read.”—Robert Middlekauff, Bancroft Prize-winning author of The Glorious Cause

“[An] informed and readable biography.” —Wall Street Journal

“Borneman is a trailblazer in the mold of his subject [and has produced] a volume that can stand with all but the very best presidential biographies.”—Louisville Courier-Journal

“With impressive exuberance . . . Borneman rightly describes his subject as America’s greatest expansionist president.”—Austin American Statesman

“Borneman manages to pull [many] threads together into a comprehensible and entertaining narrative. . . . [His] biography gives Polk his due.”—Rocky Mountain News



From the Trade Paperback edition. --This text refers to the Kindle Edition edition.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 448 pages
• Publisher: Random House (April 8, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1400065607
• ISBN-13: 978-1400065608
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.3 x 1.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (33 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #181,414 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

38 of 44 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Good subject, but more is needed., June 6, 2008

By	James M. Blake (Morgantown, WV) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

James K. Polk was one of the most successful Presidents in American History. As the great historian, and Polk's Secretary of the Navy, George Bancroft said that, based on results, the Polk Administration was "perhaps the greatest in our national history." He was successfull on all four of the goals he outlined in the early days of his presidency. Those being to settle the Oregon question, and obtain as much of that territory as possible; to acquire California; to reduce the tariff to a revenue basis; and to create an independent treasury. He was successfull on all four accounts. Had his opponent in the 1844 election, Henry Clay, been elected president our nation would look much different than it does today. It is therefore highly unfortunate that Polk gets barely a passing mention in most history texts, and usually not even that in the classroom.

A comprehensive biography on James K. Polk has been long overdue, and unfortunately for Mr. Borneman, we are still awaiting it.

This book is not an analysis of Polk as a person, and only mentions that he was a bit of a stiff in passing, assuming the reader has already heard the rumor that he was a boring, uninspiring man. Personality and home life are crucial factors that should be included in a biography of any figure. The reader could also benefit from a deeper look into the relationships between Thomas Hart Benton; James Buchanan and Polk. Benton and Polk were two of the most powerful men of the time, and an analysis of their acquaintance and eventual break would have been quite benefitial.

Also lacking was an inside look at Polk's relationship with Andrew Jackson, the most dominant political force of the mid-nineteenth century. These two men had an intimate friendship, but the fact that they even knew each other was mentioned only once or twice in passing.

What this book does have is a general look at the results of the eleventh Presidential Administration. Most of the book's space is dedicated to listing these accomplishments, without pointing out their shortcomings. While he does point out that a large portion of the populace was averse to adding more territory (to keep the slave state/free state balance), he does not attribute the subsequent division along sectional lines and resulting Civil War that acquisition of the vast territory ultimately began.

Mr. Borneman claims to debunk the myth of Polk as a "Dark Horse" candidate for the Presidency, but falls far short. While it is true that Polk was not unknown in Washington (he was Jackson's man as Speaker of the House), his career was pronounced dead when he was defeated twice for election as Tennessee Governor. Before that there had been some talk of his potential to become Vice President, but that was mostly his friends in Tennessee. Even those who knew who he was in 1844 doubted his chances at being nominated VP, let alone President.

The section on Texas would have the reader believe that all American born Texans wanted annexation or independence from Mexico, completely ignoring Stephen Austin's powerful faction that favored closer ties with Mexico. Omitting the one or two sentences required to include this left his credibility on the Texas question in doubt, and provides one example of how this book merely glides over the surface of each subject.

If you are looking for a general and vague overview on the life of James K. Polk, this is an excellent book. If you prefer a more comprehensive and analytical biography, you will have to continue to wait.

17 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars The first Imperial Presidency, May 24, 2008

By	Jonathan R. Nelson "Jon from Madison" (Madison, WI USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Overall an interesting and well-written book on the political life of President James K. Polk. The primary focus of the book and Polk's presidency was foreign policy, specifically the expansion of the United States, both through shrewd negotiation and gamesmanship (with Great Britain to acquire the Oregon Territory) and a dubious, but ultimately successful war to acquire the territory from Texas to the Pacific Ocean (the Mexican War). Borneman makes a good case that Polk was one of our most successful and significant presidents, but I would have liked to learn more about Polk the man beyond the fact that he was often in poor health and was a micro-manager. I would also have liked more about First Lady Sarah Polk. Besides Polk, the book also introduces the reader to an interesting cast of supporting players such as President John Tyler, Polk's ever-changeable Secretary of State James Buchanan, and the pompous and self-serving Gideon Pillow. One final quibble: Maybe this is just me, but I found Borneman's habit of referring to people by their nicknames ("Old Hickory", "Red Fox", "Old Rough and Ready", etc.) kind of irritating, but still a good read.

18 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Perfect account, June 10, 2008

By	Sean Claycamp (overland park, ks) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I didn't know squat about James Polk and now I do. Isn't that the point.

The period between Andrew Jackson and Abraham Lincoln is by far the least studied period of my "historical hobby." I picked this book up on a business trip in Canada and read it in a week.

First, it is an easy read. It goes into just enough detail to keep you interested but not too much detail to cause you to lose interest. Second, the book is not long for no reason. I've read a lot of biographers and many times I think authors want to write a 900+ page account of someone just because they think people will think it is better or more complete if it is 900+ pages instead of 300+.

I couldn't disagree more. This book was the perfect length. Polk was a one-term President who didn't serve in congress during critical legislation. The big thing about Polk was American expansionism and the author treats that in very fine fashion.

I really enjoyed this book completely and would recommend it to anyone wanting a solid account of Polk the man and Polk the President. If you are a "Polk" lover than maybe you should read something more detailed but for a guy like me it was perfect.