Polk: The Diary of a President 1845-1849 [Hardcover]

James K. Polk (Author), Allan Nevins (Editor)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0781283183 | ISBN-13: 978-0781283182 | Publication Date: January 1991

This is a reproduction of a book published before 1923. This book may have occasional imperfections such as missing or blurred pages, poor pictures, errant marks, etc. that were either part of the original artifact, or were introduced by the scanning process. We believe this work is culturally important, and despite the imperfections, have elected to bring it back into print as part of our continuing commitment to the preservation of printed works worldwide. We appreciate your understanding of the imperfections in the preservation process, and hope you enjoy this valuable book.

--This text refers to the Paperback edition.

Product Details

• Hardcover
• Publisher: Reprint Services Corp (January 1991)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0781283183
• ISBN-13: 978-0781283182
• Product Dimensions: 8.6 x 5.8 x 1.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.7 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,197,932 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Amazing study of power and how it is used to aquire territory, November 1, 2005

By 

Randall Helzerman (campbell, ca) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Polk: The Diary of a President 1845-1849 (Hardcover)

I've spent most of my adult life living in Oregon and California, two regions which wouldn't have been part of the United States if it hadn't been for James K. Polk. So I thought it might be interesting to read his diary, to get the story of how this sort of thing is done.

The vast territories which were added during his reign doubled size doubled the size of the United States and truely made it go "from sea to shining sea" as the song says.

When Polk ran for president, he said that he'd do 4 things:

1. Get Oregon from England
2. Get California, Nevada, etc, from Mexico
3. Reduce tarrifs
4. Eliminate the bank of the U.S.

What a to-do list!! But just as he predicted, he did exactly that, risking war with England and waging war with Mexico. And it only took him 1 term of 4 years to do it.

If you want to read about somebody who really set himself stretch goals and then went on to accomplish them, there's no better book.

P.S. I'd also recommend the song about James K. Polk written by "They Might Be Giants" as additional background info :-)

7 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Grading a diary, March 11, 2005

By 

bsd987 "bsd987" - See all my reviews

This review is from: Polk: The Diary of a President 1845-1849 (Hardcover)

It is impossible to grade a diary and thus the above grade is not my grade for the diary.

It is rather the grade I am giving to Allan Nevins for his editing of the book.

Nevins ably rides the fine line between babying the reader and guiding him. In his quirps, Nevins informs us of the truth from Polk's biases, what Polk doesn't know, and what Polk does not decide to tell us. Nevins doesn't go into such great depth as to bore us. Instead, he gives a general overview at the beginning of the book for those who are less knowledgable about the Polk administration. Nevins keeps us informed without making us feel stupid or annoyed.

As well, Nevins does not bring himself into the diary. He forms no thesis nor any opinion throughout the diary, only stating Polk's commonly known flaws and praising his commonly known accomplishments. He tells how Polk was unfair to his generals, but his input only helps make that more clearer to the reade.

Overall, Nevins did a great job editing this diary and helping portray this strong albeit cold president. It is worth the read for any antebellum U.S. history fan or anyone interested in reading the words of a president from when he was in office.