Book Description
James K. Polk was a shrewd and decisive commander in chief, the youngest president elected to guide the still-young nation, who served as Speaker of the House and governor of Tennessee before taking office in 1845. Considered a natural successor to Andrew Jackson, 'Young Hickory' miraculously revived his floundering political career by riding a wave of public sentiment in favor of annexing the Republic of Texas to the Union. Shortly after his inauguration, he settled the disputed Oregon boundary and by 1846 had declared war on Mexico in hopes of annexing California. The considerably smaller American army never lost a battle. At home, however, Polk suffered a political firestorm of antiwar attacks from many fronts. Despite his tremendous accomplishments, he left office an extremely unpopular man, on whom stress had taken such a physical toll that he died within three months of departing Washington. Fellow Tennessean John Seigenthaler traces the life of this president who, as Truman noted, 'said what he intended to do and did it.'
Customer Reviews:
One of our better presidents........2007-06-24
I agree with some of our previous reviewers. Seigenthaler puts alot of effort into the beginning of Polk's career, but little of his actual Presidency. He goes into great detail about his early life and how he became a disciple of Andrew Jackson. The book also details the campaign and then gives his Presidency a small portion of this small book. However, the reader can learn a great deal about the first dark horse candidate for the U.S. Presidency. What Seignethaler does do is describe the early career of one of our better presidents.
This is an OK read in the U.S. Presidency series. I have not read any of the others, but the armchair historian can pick up some details from this biography of a misunderstood president.
Waste of Paper.......2007-05-24
This is really a total waste of money. The entire volume is devoted to the excruciating minutiae of Polk's relationship with his political allies and foes. There are perhaps a total of five pages explaining or treating the issues of the day, Polk's life, or anything else you would expect in a biography of a US president.
I usually resell my books if I don't want to keep them, but I was so disgusted with this one that I heaved it in the trash.
A Partisan Defender of a Forgotten President.......2006-08-10
The reasons I rated the work as only average are:
1. I distrusted the scholarhip.
2. The biographer forfeited objectivity with the way he argued that that Polk is underappreciated.
3. Polk never came to life for me.
4. The tone can be overly casual, like a human interest story in a newspaper.
4. It does not compare well with other biographies in The American Presidents series, such as the Jackson or Van Buren works.
Try It !.......2006-07-13
This reviewer commented favorably that Robert Remini's biography of President Andrew Jackson was short and concise. That work was a veritable encyclopedia compared to John Seigenthaler's bio of President James K. Polk. The two Presidents were close contemporaries and fellow Tennesseans. Polk actually had a decent resume before entering the White House. He had served one term as Governor and five in the House, even rising to Speaker before his election as a Dark Horse in 1844. It seems required for reviewers to note that Polk set 4 goals for himself as Chief Executive: Reduction of the hated (to the South) tariff; establishing a pressingly needed independent Treasury; a favorable settling of the Oregon Boundary with England and bringing California into the Union. Polk succeeded on all counts even though he had defined himself from the outset as a one term President! It was also on his watch that the Mexican War was ended, leading to the annexation of the Texas Republic. This reader was surprised to learn that many Americans-including an Illinois Congressman named Lincoln-were opposed to the Mexican conflict and that our principal commanders, Generals Winfield Scott and Zachery Taylor had blatant political ambitions. Such attitudes would not be tolerated today. Polk had his weaknesses: He had virtually no charisma or personality and he failed to demonstrate any leadership over the bitterly divisive issue of slavery. That aside, author Seigenthaler has performed a masterful job of compressing the Administration of an important if unrecognized President into a very slim and compact volume. It is recommended without reservation for aficionados of history and politics.
Better than no Polk at all, but . . ........2006-06-23
If James K. Polk hadn't very unexpectedly become president of the United States in 1845, nobody today would have heard of him. The accomplishments he is remembered for -- the annexation of Texas, the acquiring of Oregon Territory from Britain, the War with Mexico and resultant annexation of New Mexico and California -- he was able to accomplish only BECAUSE he became president. So why does John Seigenthaler devote less than forty of 156 pages of text to Polk's presidency in his book, JAMES K. POLK?
JAMES K. POLK is one of "The American Presidents" series which are supposed to concentrate on the PRESIDENCIES of the chief executives, not the whole lives of the men themselves. Admitted, exploring the biographical and historical background and the process by which particular individuals are able to win the White House over the opposition of many other contenders is essential to understanding the presidencies they spawn -- doubly so in Polk's case as America's first "dark horse" president. But the other equally short contributions to this series are quite capable of covering such material in the first thirty or forty pages of text, leaving the remaining one hundred plus to discuss the presidency itself. Given the constraints of this series and the incredible presidency that was to be Polk's, it is Seigenthaler's DUTY to do the same.
I bought this book to learn how a president, whom I knew very little about, was able in four short years to create, for better or worse, a United States that finally spread "from sea to shinning sea". Thirty some pages is nowhere near enough text to discuss the complications that Polk had to deal with in his War with Mexico alone, particularly when Polk thought he could annex California WITHOUT going to war. Seigenthaler hardly mentions the problems that the obstinate Democrat Polk had with his two equally headstrong Whig generals, Taylor and Scott, or the increasingly fierce opposition he faced as the war dragged on and on. Ditto for the Oregon Territory dispute with the British. He devotes more text to Polk's establishing an independent Treasury and lowering the import tariffs, but these achievements pale in comparison to the previous two
Seigenthaler wastes far more text telling the story of how the washed-up ex-governor from Tennessee hoping for the vice-presidential candidacy, won the 1844 Democratic Party's presidential nomination instead when neither of the two top contenders could secure a majority. Then Seigenthaler proceeds with an almost equally long description of the campaign itself -- during which Polk did NOT make public campaign promises to annex California and gain the Oregon border treaty with England, but merely promised to accept the annexation of Texas and serve only one term. The "four goals" that he had for his presidency he first confided to his secretary of the navy AFTER becoming president (check out pp. 102, 3).
Imagine a book of some one hundred fifty pages about another rather obscure ex-congressman from Illinois named Abraham Lincoln that devotes less than forty to his presidency and barely mentions the Civil War. Change the main character and you've got John Seigenthaler's JAMES K. POLK.
Book Description
This biography explores the controversies, triumphs, and failures of the presidency of James K. Polk. In this book, Sam W. Haynes places Polk's expansionist agenda in both political and social contexts and examines the nature and origins of the expansionist impulse. For anyone interested in American history, Jacksonian America, or the Presidency of James K. Polk.
Customer Reviews:
Good summary of Polk's political career.......2004-12-13
James K. Polk has one of the most interesting historical reputations among American presidents. Serving for a solitary term, he consistently ranks among the most highly regarded occupants of the White House. Yet in spite of this he has been the subject of surprisingly little attention from historians. This is what makes Sam Haynes' short study so welcome. Seeing Polk as representative of the nation's desire for territorial expansion, he provides a concise account of the life of this understudied figure.
Haynes' book is hardly the final word on Polk; he compresses the first thirty years of Polk's life into a single chapter, raising many questions that are then left unanswered. It is only when Polk emerges as one of Andrew Jackson's lieutenants in the House of Representatives that the narrative slows enough to allow for insights. Haynes sees Polk as the "consummate Jacksonian," serving as a loyal lieutenant and emerging as one of the foremost heirs to his legacy. Yet two successive defeats in races for the governorship of Tennessee dimmed his political star, and his name was not among those of the frontrunners for the Democratic presidential nomination in 1844.
Nonetheless, Polk emerged from a deadlocked convention as the first "dark horse" nominee in American history. Hynes argues that the significance of the 1844 presidential convention lies in the embrace of territorial expansion as an issue that united a broad range of groups in a diverse country, which helped Polk defeat Henry Clay in the subsequent election. As president, Polk was a hands-on manager who carefully monitored every department of the executive branch. While viable with the small bureaucracy in the Washington of his day, this proved impractical when managing the far-flung war against Mexico.
The Mexican-American War takes up over a third of the book, both as the pivotal event of Polk's presidency and as the culminating moment of the expansionist movement. Haynes depicts it as a natural consequence of the belligerency of American expansion, which risked war with Great Britain as well over the Pacific Northwest. Polk's battles were not confined to foreign relations, though, as going to war with poorly defined aims exacerbated tensions between the proslavery South and antislavery North. Polk also clashed with the predominantly Whig military commanders, who chafed at the president's effort to micromanage the conflict. This created conflict as well with Polk's handpicked negotiator, Nicholas Trist, who succeeded in hammering out a treaty ending the war before the expected recall order arrived. His success allowed the president to step down with the war as the crowning achievement of his administration, though Polk was so exhausted that he died soon afterwards.
Haynes's book provides an excellent introduction to both American expansionism during the 1840s and Polk's conduct of the war. In many respects, it serves as a useful supplement to Charles Sellers's unfinished two-volume study of Polk, which covers his life to the start of the war with Mexico. Yet while Sellers's biography is the definitive work on the president's early years, this book is still the best modern study available of Polk's complete political career.
Little Book about a Big Man.......2004-07-07
A short book written more as text book that about the life of Polk. I was disappointed with the book. We need more about James K. Polk.
James K. and the Expansionist Impulse.......2004-01-29
James K. Polk and the Expansionist Impulse is an exciting and educational book. It helps to understand American history especially the policies pursued between 1845 and 1849 as well as the polities of that time but more importantly it enlightens the reader on the life of American's 11th president who added 522 million acres to land of the country. The book also confirmed the accusation that Americans think they are superior and have the ability to do anything at all better than the rest of the world. This is evident in the way Mexico was treated. Convinced that they were the only people with the requisite qualities for self-government, they looked down on the Mexicans and took away their lands. One can now perfectly understands why Mexicans harbor so much bitterness towards Americans even up to today. This book will be of a great benefit to any student studying American history and anyone at all who is interested in learning about President Polk and the lands he coveted for his country.
Polk Put Simply.......2000-10-25
While many people try to depict the lives of our past Presidents in four or five hundred pages, this abbreviated view of the life and associations of James K. Polk is a refreshing change. As a history major, this book provides all of the pertinent information required to gain an insightful depiction of this man. It is a must read for anyone interested in Jacksonian America and an entertaining read for thinkers from all walks of life.
Book Description
James K. Polk was one of the strongest and most active presidents ever to occupy the office. In the nineteenth century only Jefferson, Jackson, and Lincoln matched his overall leadership and domination of national government. Bergeron's crisp, insightful narrative shows how and why Polk achieved such stature and yet failed to attract the kind of popular support or retrospective recognition granted other presidential luminaries.
A native of North Carolina, Polk prepared for the presidency by honing his leadership skills as a seven-term congressman, speaker of the house, and governor of Tennessee. Bergeron's summary and analysis of those years shed light on the foundations of the presidency that followed. He provides fresh new perspectives on Polk's relationship with his cabinet, his skirmishes with Congress over domestic economic legislation, and the curse of presidential patronage.
But perhaps the most fascinating portions of this study are devoted to Polk's role as the western expansionist. By the end of his term, the United States had acquired enormous territories in the Southwest and far West. Bergeron demonstrates that Polk adroitly used both war and diplomacy to acquire and protect these lands. When the annexation of Texas led to the outbreak of war with Mexico, Polk was forced to become commander-in-chief of the American forces. In contrast, the potentially explosive dispute with Great Britain over Oregon's borders was settled through purely diplomatic means. Norman A. Graebner, in America's Top Ten Presidents, declares, "Polk's achievements in diplomacy were among the most remarkable in American history."
Drawing upon a careful review of the extensive literature on our eleventh president, as well as Polk's personal diary, Bergeron has written a significant and balanced reassessment of the Polk presidency. In the process, he has also created a revealing portrait of a complex man who led the nation with imperial determination tempered with compassion, generosity, and even humor.
This book is part of the American Presidency Series.
Customer Reviews:
Sitting on the fence........2006-02-17
This is actually a pretty well-written book on President Polk. It seemed to me though that the author, who wants to be complimentary of Polk and his presidency, has a difficult time being consistent with his appraisal. I am not sure that he has convinced himself of the compliments he pays our 11th President. And while it is admittedly focused on the time spent in office, I would have liked more of Polk's pre-presidential years.
Polk's Presidency Story Told Well.......2005-09-07
There are too few treatments of one of America's most significant presidencies, that of James Knox Polk. A friend asked "what was the deal about Polk" while I was reading the book. The answer is: "well, do you like the American Southwest and Washington state?" Polk was responsible for both being gained for our country in their present forms.
Bergeron's book is a good academic telling of this most significant of times. Arranged by major topic, his biography covers the crisis with Mexico and the war; the crisis with Great Britain over setting the boundary of the Pacific Northwest; the cabinet members Polk chose and worked with (significant because at the time the precedent was for presidents to govern with and through their cabinets; giving secretaries much greater veto power over issues in their sphere than now exists), his relationship with Congress and his emergence as a politician.
Polk's fascinating political personae as well as the personalities he had to deal with are well described. Particularly on the Texas question, the war with Mexico and the negotiations with Great Britain, the reader is given a very good step-by-step picture of the cabinet debates and perspectives surrounding the president's eventual courses of action. I came away feeling the author had researched the topics thoroughly enough to present a fairly complete picture of all three crises; allowing the reader an enjoyable bird's-eye view as the action unfolded. The details of life as a mid-1800's American president are also told. It is hard to imagine in this day and age a president holding twice weekly office hours for any person to visit with their problem (or more often request for office) or cabinet meetings in an age where secretaries had to be dealt with as their own political forces through wooing, placating and managing. In these details, Bergeron helps to paint a presidency that has disappeared but also an environment that exerted strong influences on the way a president executed his office.
This is very much a political-presidential biography. Although a chapter does try to capture his essence as a man, the focus is squarely on the pivotal four years in which he came to epitomize manifest destiny and draw our map to something that would be easily recognized by today's Americans.
The work is told in somewhat of an academic style. For a student of history and politics, it is a fascinating story. One gains a sense of the issues Polk confronted as well as the issues he helped create and successfully dealt with. This is a well documented and enjoyable treatment of a president more should know.
A good chronicle of an extremely underrated president.......2004-09-12
Looking at the structure of the United States in the twenty-first century, your first impression of the presidency of James Polk would be that he should be ranked in the top five presidents of all time. In the short span of his single term in office, Texas was annexed, Mexico defeated in war and the entire American southwest minus the relatively tiny Gadsden purchase annexed and a treaty splitting the Oregon territory between the United States and Great Britain finalized. The area taken from Mexico after their defeat alone is 2/5 of the territory of the continental United States. However, while the Louisiana Purchase under Thomas Jefferson is consistently mentioned in classes in American history, Polk, the architect of the greatest expansion, is rarely mentioned.
Part of this is Polk's own personality, as he is commonly portrayed as a humorless man who seemed aloof from his political peers. His time in office is also considered to be the point where the sectional differences that led to the civil war began in earnest. Both are mentioned and downplayed in this book. While he personally could have been much more sociable, given the strong political personalities of that time, it is unlikely that it would have made a difference. Bergeron is quite correct in emphasizing the strained relationships that Polk had with people like former president John Quincy Adams, and congressmen Henry Clay and John Calhoun. These were powerful men who represented deeply held sectional interests and who had dramatically different visions for the future of the country.
Given the force of the western expansion of the United States, it was inevitable that the only thing that could stop it was the Pacific Ocean. Therefore, the war with Mexico was probably an historical inevitability and once the territory was acquired, it was also inevitable that the question of slavery in that territory would be raised. Therefore, the argument that Polk's policies led to the great break between the states is nonsense. Bergeron takes a position against this nonsense, but it is not made as forcefully as it should have been.
One point about Polk that was not made and that should have been included deals with the comments of Abraham Lincoln and Ulysses S. Grant. In 1848, Lincoln rose in the House of Representatives and delivered a fiery speech against Polk. In it, he accused Polk of being a liar, abusing his power as president and assuming the role of a dictator. As he was slowly dying, Grant, who was an officer in the American army during the war with Mexico, said Polk forced the United States into an unholy war against Mexico. He considered the destruction of the civil war to be "God's punishment for Polk's sin." Neither argument was necessarily correct, but their status as being involved in the war and president means that they should have been mentioned.
I consider this book to be an honest appraisal of the presidency of James Polk and first read it over five years ago. I recently made the choice to read it again because it is a case where a successful war planted the seeds for widespread destruction twenty years later. At the time I am writing this review, the United States is one year into the invasion of Iraq, a war that has generated rhetoric similar to that of Lincoln's. Many experts on the Arab world have argued that a victory now may lead to a much greater disaster later. I don't quite agree with that, but certainly consider it a possibility. Without question, like the presidency of Polk, that of George W. Bush will largely be measured by the consequences of an aggressive war launched despite a great deal of opposition and dubious points of justification.
JAMES K. WHO?.......2000-10-20
When I point out that James K. Polk and Jerry Ford were the two Presidents who promised only what they could deliver and delivered all they promised, people generally reply "James K. Who?" The man who stretched the USA from sea to shining sea has got to be fascinating. All Kudos to the author for a much-needed book.
Particularly fascinating in it is the hilarious story of the negotiation of the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, which gave us California et al. It proves the Mark Twain saying that God protects fools, drunkards and the United States of America.
A very thorough and informative study........1999-04-16
Polk is frequently ranked in the top third of US presidents. The years of his presidency fall between Jackson and Lincoln - a period where the presidents around him were generally considered among the worst in history. Polk clearly learned lessons about management and control from the failures of Tyler before him and these lessons led to a most effective presidency. While sectionalism begins to tear apart the preceding presidency and those that followed, the Polk presidency sees a chief executive who manages to be in charge of events during his 4 years. This book was a good read about an import man in a dangerous and exciting time and perhaps a lesson in not promising only to serve one term.
Book Description
This biography explores the controversies, triumphs, and failures of the presidency of James K. Polk. Sam W. Haynes places Polk's expansionist agenda in both political and social contexts and examines the nature and origins of the expansionist impulse. Paperback, brief, and inexpensive, each of the titles in the Library of American Biography series focuses on a figure whose actions and ideas significantly influenced the course of American History and national life. In addition, each biography relates the life of its subject to the broader themes and developments of the times. This text incorporates the latest scholarship and draws upon the longer, far more extensive studies of Polk’s life and times, but makes the story accessible to students in both survey and upper division courses in American history.
Customer Reviews:
Excellent brief biography.......2006-03-31
Between the end of Andrew Jackson's presidency in 1837 and the beginning of Abraham Lincoln's in 1861 there was a 24 year period of presidential mediocrity. Eight presidents served during this era, four of them for less than a single term, forming a roster of forgettable names: Martin Van Buren, William Henry Harrison, John Tyler, Zachary Taylor, Millard Fillmore, Franklin Pierce and James Buchanan. Only one man in this era of mediocrity stands out at all: James Polk.
What makes Polk stand out from these others is that he actually accomplished something noteworthy. During his presidency, the U.S. warred with Mexico. This war was significant not only because it marked the first time the U.S. fought a war in foreign territory, but more importantly, it resulted in the U.S. acquiring a vast amount of land, including California and New Mexico (it also forced Mexico to recognize that Texas was now part of its northern neighbor). In addition, Polk was able to more peacefully obtain what would become Oregon and Washington from England.
The acquisition of Mexican land was controversial during the war and even remains the source of argument today. Long before the controversies of weapons of mass destruction, there were the debatable origins of the Mexican War; Polk was determined to acquire land and set up things to force a conflict. Besides the somewhat dubious origins of the war, the result for the U.S. was also filled with negatives; the new territories would exacerbate North-South conflicts (particularly about slavery) and - though temporarily alleviated by the Compromise of 1850, would eventually lead to the Civil War.
Sam Haynes has written an excellent if brief biography of Polk. In just over 200 pages, he reviews Polk's entire life, focusing on his one term as president. Haynes remains reasonably objective, with as much praise for Polk's better qualities as criticism for his deficiencies. If you are interested in Polk or this era of American History, this is a good introduction.
Average customer rating:
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James K. Polk: Jacksonian, 1795-1843
Charles Sellers
Manufacturer: ACLS History E-Book Project
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Customer Reviews:
Amazing study of power and how it is used to aquire territory.......2005-11-02
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 :-)
Grading a diary.......2005-03-12
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.
Book Description
When he was elected President in 1845, James K. Polk was only 49 years old-at that time the youngest president ever to be elected. He faced a conflicted nation on the verge of tremendous territorial expansion. James K. Polk's four years in office marke
Customer Reviews:
Wonderful short biography of James K. Polk.......2007-09-16
I am currently reading a bio of every President in order. I generally look for a fairly comprehensive one volume account but unfortunately for Polk there are none available (although the forthcoming 400+ page plus bio by Borneman will hopefully change this). I decided I would save my money to wait for Borneman's book and checked out Leonard's short bio (196 pages of text) from the Library.
Thankfully, this is a great short bio of James K. Polk. His early life is covered in a suprising amount of detail for the short amount of text devoted to it, and his Presidency is covered quite thoroughly. This is accomplished by Leonard's great writing and superb organization and editing. This book was so satisfactory I am not sure I will even decide to read Borneman's forthcoming biography. Also, do not be swayed by Betty Burke's review, she is clearly reviewing the wrong book.
A Man of His Times........2007-03-01
Fabrication By Alien., February 28, 2007
Reviewer: Betty Burks (Knoxville, TN) - See all my reviews
This book was not written by a fan or supporter of this Tennessee president, but released by a Yankee group who hides behind "Oxford" so we might think Mississippi or England. Not so, William Dusinberre must be fuddies with the university professors who tore apart Nathan Bedford Forrest in the same way. Overlooked completely he status and the part these Tennesseans played in the history of this nation. It's best to consider character assassination with the conflicting thins these writers emphasize while leaving out the real story, the facts of the matter. James K. Polk had been Governor of Tehhessee and Speaker of the House of Representatives before becoming U. S. president. It was not a secret that he owned slaves to work on his cotton plantation in Mississippi. We didn't have such in Tennessee, but I have an old post card of the 11th President's bust which stands in the State Capitol in Nashville. We visited Polk's ancestral home in downtown Columbia, Tennessee. It was not out in the country, though a famous one is in that county owned by a female physician. She did not have slaves. Forrest's family were fine, upstanding natives of Chapel Hill, not so far east from Columbia. It infuriates me when I innocently find weird subverted stuff like thos on the public library shelves. I wish the reference librarians who ordered these fiction pretending to be non-fiction before putting them out for just anybody to read. Polk was duly elected and in the White House from 1845 to 1849, before the Civil War. He was not responsible for that war.
This person from Cape Town used the false writings of professor Wayne Cutler when he came to this Republican town, and thought that what he was reading was truth. Polk was a Southern Democrat. What would he write about Huey B. Long, George Wallace, and other governors who stood tall for what the South stands for. The politics of slavery did not have any substance whatsoever in the war which divided this country. It was states' rights -- the Southern states, which Northerners would not understand. I learned more than I had planned that there is a conspiracy going on to deride Southern leaders and presidents. They were statesmen and war heroes and lived to be a part of the history of America. Modern history-writing is all wrong, when the author makes up "facts" as he is inclined, and not factually.
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