American Lion

Andrew Jackson in the White House

By: Jon Meacham

Narrated by: Richard McGonagle

Pulitzer Prize, Biography/Autobiography, 2009

Andrew Jackson, his intimate circle of friends, and his tumultuous times are at the heart of this remarkable book about the man who rose from nothing to create the modern presidency.

Beloved and hated, venerated and reviled, Andrew Jackson was an orphan who fought his way to the pinnacle of power, bending the nation to his will in the cause of democracy. Jackson's election in 1828 ushered in a new and lasting era in which the people, not distant elites, were the guiding force in American politics. Democracy made its stand in the Jackson years, and he gave voice to the hopes and the fears of a restless, changing nation facing challenging times at home and threats abroad.

One of our most significant yet dimly recalled presidents, Jackson was a battle-hardened warrior, the founder of the Democratic Party, and the architect of the presidency as we know it. His story is one of violence, sex, courage, and tragedy. With his powerful persona, his evident bravery, and his mystical connection to the people, Jackson moved the White House from the periphery of government to the center of national action, articulating a vision of change that challenged entrenched interests to heed the popular will or face his formidable wrath. The greatest of the presidents who have followed Jackson in the White House have found inspiration in his example, and virtue in his vision.

Jackson was the most contradictory of men. The architect of the removal of Indians from their native lands, he was warmly sentimental and risked everything to give more power to ordinary citizens. He was, in short, a lot like his country: alternately kind and vicious, brilliant and blind; and a man who fought a lifelong war to keep the republic safe, no matter what it took.

Jon Meacham, in American Lion, has delivered the definitive human portrait of a pivotal president who forever changed the American presidency and America itself.

©2008 Jon Meacham (P)2008 Random House

Critic reviews

2009, Pulitzer Prize, Winner

"A master storyteller, Meacham interweaves the lives of Jackson and the members of his inner circle to create a highly original book." (Doris Kearns Goodwin)

"American Lion is a spellbinding, brilliant and irresistible journey into the heart of Andrew Jackson and his unforgettable circle of friends and enemies." (Michael Beschloss)

"What passes for political drama today pales in the reading of Jon Meacham's vividly told story of our seventh president....Reading "American Lion" one is no longer able to look on the gaunt, craggy face on the $20 bill without hearing the tumult of America in the making." (Tina Brown)

Excellent book. Brings the Subject Alive

Andrew Jackson is one of the most important and one of the most controversial presidents in American History. During his lifetime the United States came into being and gained large new tracts of territory. Much of that territory was rough and wild, as were the people who lived there. Andrew Jackson became a lawyer and judge in Tennessee. He met and married his beloved Rachel. Their relationship was controversial at the time because they were married before her divorce from her prior husband had come through. For the rest of their lives allegations of Rachel's character would haunt them. At least one man was killed by Jackson in a duel over this. As a military leader Jackson twice invaded Spanish Florida chasing Creek raiders who raided into George and Alabama and escaped to Florida. As a military commander he is most known as the US commander at the Battle of New Orleans. At that battle a ragtag group of regular soldiers, militia, volunteers, Choctaw warriors, and Baratarian pirates defeated a large British army.

The book covers these issues, but it is focused on his two terms as president. Jackson won a contentious election. Over the next eight years he would confront many controversies. He sought to bring more prestige and power to the office of the President. An opposition party would form to battle his policies. They called themselves Whigs after the British party that opposed royal authority. Jackson despised the idea of a National Bank and did everything he could to not only block the re-chartering of the Bank, but to bring it down ahead of it's time. When the South Carolina legislature claimed it had the authority to nullify a federal law Jackson was ready to invade the state to assert Federal authority. In fact Lincoln would cite Jackson's example in the early days of his administration. The act that would be remembered the most in future generations was the Indian Removal Act. This act forced native people to sell their land (often at cut rate prices) and move west of the Mississippi. The mostly ended up in Oklahoma. The suffering encountered by these people would be remembered as the Trail of Tears.

Meacham paints a fascinating portrait of this complicated man. You may or may not like Jackson after you read this book, but you will have a better understanding of this important man. Perhaps like every other person in history we should learn how to admire the good things that a man does while disapproving of the bad. This is a great book and is well worth reading.

Very thorough on the presidential years

If you could sum up American Lion in three words, what would they be?

through but long

What did you like best about this story?

the thoroughness of his presidential years

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

no

Any additional comments?

They used a lot of quotes from actual diaries and letters. This made it thorough and backed up its arguments, but it was often difficult to understand because I didn't have a clear understanding of the language of the day. I would have liked the book to have gone through more of his early formative years to better understand how his character developed.

A Fascinating, Controversial Man

If you've ever wondered about this mythic man, about his legacy and his life, his achievements and his actions, this book will satiate you. It's a fantastically detailed account of everything political, personal, and patriotic about the Old Hickory general that rebirthed the American Presidency.

One of the more poorly written histories I've read

Would you say that listening to this book was time well-spent? Why or why not?

Something to do with ending several chapters in the book with the phrase "in the Jackson presidency" as a form of foreshadowing. Cheap and theatrical is what it comes across as. Most of the actual history is good and the performance by the reader was well done. Just couldn't get past the poorly constructed narrative. Perhaps the writer had a subconscious problem with his subject? For a more interesting narrative see Steve Inskeep's book on the same subject with the indian problem drawn front and center of the story. Makes for much better reading.

Glad I gained an understanding of Old Hickory

I didn't know much about Jackson before reading this, but the book was fascinating. Many pillory Jackson for his treatment of many Indian tribes, but as Meacham points out, Jackson also fiercely defended allied indian tribes. That was a mantra for Jackson: he fiercely fought for the people and institutions he cared about. As Meacham emphasizes, Jackson, like Washington, was a childless president who saw the nation's people as his family to defend.

Always Great to Read About Great Americans

A bit long, but a great insight into a great man. It is sad that a man like Author, John Meacham, known for being a historian, has become such a partisan hack on TV and anywhere else he can be seen these days. This diminishes his objective view of history as far as I am concerned. Luckily, this book was written before he took such a leap. I doubt I would read anything else from him going forward. Such a smug Progressive.

Good Book

I started this book with negative impression of Jackson. While not sugar coating the rough edges the author clearly illustrates his actions and motivations. It was also very interesting to explore the perpetual debate over our form of government and its divisions of power. It shows that there is nothing new under the sun.

Meacham delivers yet again.

Definitely with listening to more than once. Meacham has become my personal favorite for historical figure biographies. The narrator keeps your attention and gives the language of Jackson the weight it deserves.

Good, but long

This is a scholarly and comprehensive relating of Andrew Jackson, but more than I ever wanted to know about him.

Lion indeed!

What did you like best about American Lion? What did you like least?

A great overall portrait of the man Jackson. Meacham tells a great story about the inter-workings of Jackson rise to power and his immense impact on the the Presidency itself that I had no idea about. Jackson was neither a tyrant or a saint but a man who loved the country and its people more than almost anything. We need more men like him today.
I would have liked more inspired writing making parallels to modern society and politics.

Would you recommend American Lion to your friends? Why or why not?

Fore sure.

Which character – as performed by Richard McGonagle – was your favorite?

Jackson. Loved McGonagles voice I will be listening to more of his work.

Could you see American Lion being made into a movie or a TV series? Who should the stars be?

Great idea! no idea

Any additional comments?

Favorite new word learned, Despot! Such a great and funny use of the word in the book. God save us from despotic people in the white house currently and any to come. "Vigilance is the eternal price of Liberty"