Book Review - Andrew Jackson

Andrew Jackson has remained an enigma in American history. Where previous Presidents had

Either come from the Virginia dynasty or were named Adams, Jackson was from the west. His

Early life was controversial, as demonstrated by his marriage to Rachel Donelson Robards. At the

Time of their marriage, she was still married to her first husband. Jackson's devotion to his wife

Led to many confrontations, some of them deadly. He despised the abuse of power by Thomas

Jefferson as President when he authorized the embargo prohibiting trade with European nations.

He saw the personal ambitions of Aaron Burr and James Wilkinson as threats to the union. As a

Military commander, Jackson demonstrated his independent nature by marching his troops to the

Sound of the guns and disregarding the orders of Secretary of War John Armstrong. It was a bold

Move that earned Jackson glory at the battle of New Orleans, even though the War of 1812 had

Ended. A few years later, leading an expedition into Florida in pursuit of a band of Seminoles,

Jackson ordered the execution of two British officials he believed to be inciting the Indians. Even

Though some in the government wanted Jackson prosecuted, he was named the first governor of

The new territory of Florida.

Jackson's popularity and fame earned him a bid for the presidency. The election of 1824 proved

One of the most controversial. The lack of a majority in the Electoral College forced the decision

Into the US House of Representatives and resulted in the election of John Quincy Adams. The

Corrupt bargain between Adams and the Speaker of the House, Henry Clay, generated the

Momentum to elect Jackson four years later and resulted in the formation of the Democratic

Party. Equally important, opposition to Jackson led to the resumption of party politics in the

United States with the creation of the Whigs. As the first popularly elected chief executive,

Jackson presided over one of the most tumultuous ages in American history.

What makes Brands' work stand out from previous biographies is his method of using Andrew

Jackson as a vehicle to discuss American "civilization." The author has previously discussed how

He modeled his biographies on the famous Story of Civilization series by Will Durant. As such,

Each volume captures a certain time period of American history and uses a principal figure as the

Thread with which to weave his narrative.

This is not an in-depth analysis of Jackson's presidency. That portion of his life is only one

Section of five: "Child of the Revolution," "Son of the West," "American Hero," "The People's

President and "Patriarch of Democracy." The author spends little time analyzing "The Corrupt

Bargain" that lost Jackson the White House in 1824 or the Indian Removal Act. Brands does

Provide some insight on the Petticoat Affair and the Nullification Crisis. Both of these cases serve

As illuminating subject matter for the larger issues of the day: federal versus state rights and the

Authority of the chief executive in representing the people's will. It is easy