Customer Reviews

Polk's Folly: An American Family History

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

The contribution of the Polk family is mindboggling. Author Polk captures both the extraordinary characters that built this country and disabuses readers of any notions that all of his ancestors were saints. It's the best book on American history I've ever read. As a dynasty, the Polks are true American royalty, flawed and all.

Being new to Charlotte, NC, I've started reading up on the history of Western North Carolina -- I borrowed this book from the library as the Polk family has been very prominent in this area. It was much more than I had expected: the whole panorama of the history of the United States to recent history told in terms of the people involved, and the Polk family has been very involved since early colonial days. The only era not touched on was the Spanish-American War! Well worth an addition to my personal library

I purchased Polk's Folly shortly after it first was published, but I didn't begin reading until recently. I have been surprised at how thoughts in diaries, letters, and other documents left by Polk ancestors are applicable today. For example, Leonidas Lafayette Polk (1837-1890) made sure that while conscription was initiated there would be a clause to protect conscientious objectors: "Liberty could not be preserved at the cost of personal freedom." and "The growing disparity of the rich and the poor was thus not only unjust but also profoundly antidemocratic."

As a genealogist I am inspired to learn more about all of my ancestors, one of whom was a Polk. My common ancestors with those in this book are William Polk (1700-1753) and Margaret Taylor. The author presents details in history that I did not know. It's a very interesting saga.

I was given this book as a birthday present six months ago. I did not read it at that time because I did not think I would be that interested in it. Boy was I wrong. Once I started reading I could not put the book down. The book truely brings to life the history of America in a very engaging and entertaining way. I recommend this book to anybody who is interested in history or those who just enjoy a good book.

I started reading this book because I had no alternative while on vacation. It is written by a relative of my son-in-law, and therefore the story is the history of my granddaughter's ancestors! Very cool to think about that! The book is basically a lesson in American history through the "eyes" of one family. Oh, and there's some Irish/Scottish/English history thrown in too. My connection to the family aside, I think it's a fascinating story.

Linda

I was conducting research into the life of Leonidas Polk and bought Polk's Folly as the best reference to place Leonidas in the Polk family. I bought it for research and read it for enjoyment. If anyone plans to write a family history, acquire Polk's Folly as your guide. Granted, the Polk family is much more interesting than most, but William R. Polk has created a masterpiece. Reading it is like sitting on your grandfather's knee and hearing stories about the family. The only difference is that Dr. Polk is a scholar, who has conducted extensive research to support his stories. I highly recommend Polk's Folly. It is a great read and I would give it six stars, if available.

I enjoyed most of this book, but found it inconsistent. Some parts extremely interesting - especially the portion on President Polk. For instance the White House was considered completely public, so he had difficulty working. Also, there was much insight into a little know president. Other parts were tedious, such as the older ancestors. All in all I thought it was an interesting way to portry history. The author used an extremely interesting and accomplished family to walk us through the decades and centuries.

The author set out on writing a book based upon a panoramic (though selective) history of his family through the centuries. He did not set out to write the "next great novel" or "War and Peace." Working within his parameters he did a great job of delivering what he set out to do from the beginning.

Yes, one does learn a lot about "the Polks" throughout history but one also learns a lot of historical facts along with it making the learning go down even better and easier.

If you want an entertaining read from an excellent author you can't go wrong with this book--and one learns a lot of history on top of it. Excellent!

Great book with all the qualities of a best seller- if not more

The premise of this book is excellent, but it consistently wallows in political correctness rather than the truth. Instead of applying late 20th century morals to 18th and 19th cenury people, why not stick with the facts. Yes, whites and Indians slaughtered each other and diseases finished most of the Indians off. However, saying Indian warfare was relatively bloodless simply ignores the truth. Numbers killed were small because the number involved was small.