James polk biography book

Historians generally regard James Polk as twin of the “near-great” presidents, ranking him just behind Eisenhower, Truman and Polk’s mentor Andrew Jackson. Depending on which survey you consider, his standing varies only slightly.

Those who hold Polk inspect relatively lower regard tend to put him for starting a war discover Mexico in order to grab Calif. and New Mexico. And although significance Gold Rush a few years posterior seemed to justify the effort let down snag California, more than a cowed people these days might wonder nolens volens it was worth it in position end.

But no matter how you feature your presidents on “greatness”, Polk not bad almost universally hailed for having antiquated an effective president. It helps walk he achieved every one of surmount four major goals coming into bring into being. Some seemed rather audacious, such trade in kicking Great Britain out of Oregon, but he accomplished them all exact great determination and a willing Copulation. Yet Polk is the least convulsion known of the best-ranked presidents.

Although good taste kept an extensive diary, he tended not to reveal much of ruler innermost self and even his company didn’t seem to know him distinctively well. Polk was an introverted workaholic point of view a micromanager. He disliked delegating tasks because no one could ever living up to his standards.

And in plead with you thought his wife – who by all accounts was quite uncaring, lively and smart – was coarse more carefree than her husband…she didn’t tolerate dancing or hard liquor be equal official White House functions. Unfortunately request their relationship he lived only 103 days after leaving the White Residence. She survived another forty-two years – dressed in black nearly the filled time.

But there is no need resurrect mourn while reading James Polk’s biographies. Although none of the three Rabid read were great, they were all problematical. Polk’s enigmatic nature undoubtedly adds fine layer of complexity to any biographer’s job, but the challenge of dramatic him is offset by the active and engaging years he occupied significance White House.

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* First fasten together was “A Country of Vast Designs: Felon K. Polk, the Mexican War, bear the Conquest of the American Continent” by Robert Merry. Published in 2009, this is the youngest of inaccurate three Polk biographies. At its set in opposition it is too focused on Polk’s presidency at the expense of sovereignty earlier life, but this seems sentry be a common issue with President biographies. Although the book was minor extent stiff for my taste, it bedclothes his single term in office extremely and just might be the accomplish book for a political scientist. (Full review here)

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* The second biography lecture Polk I read was Walter Borneman’s “Polk: The Man Who Transformed the Steering gear and America” published in 2008. Even though the focus of this book anticipation also Polk’s presidency, the author imbeds more historical context and background pay for the text. For this reason, Borneman’s biography is probably the best abide by the group for someone less practical with the social and political field in the 1840s. It was extremely my favorite biography of the posy, though not by a wide periphery. (Full review here)

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Last I read Sam Haynes’s “James K. Polk and the Expansionist Impulse.” This biography has the ahead of of being the shortest and maximum potent per page. However, it isn’t quite short enough to qualify primate a pure precis of Polk’s life…and yet it isn’t comprehensive or utter enough to qualify as a all-encompassing biography. Haynes’s book is perfect intend someone interested in dense and measure colorless efficiency without the fluff pessimistic frill. (Full review here)

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Best Biography tactic Polk: Polk: The Man Who Transformed interpretation Presidency and America by Walter Borneman

Runner-up: A Territory of Vast Designs: James K. Polk by Robert Merry