US President James Polk (1845-1849) elicits strong opinions from those aware of his record. They either love him for his effectiveness and performance or hate him for his difficult personality and the Mexican War. So-called “Young Hickory,” styling himself after “Old Hickory” Andrew Jackson, Polk set out to be a one-term president and to accomplish four specific goals outlined in his inaugural. He accomplished all of them and died a few months after leaving the presidency. In this book, fellow Tennessean John Seigenthaler describes the events of his life and presidency in a short biography.
This book brings readers back to a prior era, when Whigs and Democrats battled for power and at the beginning of when slavery became the dominant national issue. Like now, American politics was deeply polarizing. Henry Clay, whom Polk defeated, proposed the “American System” for internal improvements. Polk instead sought to extend the country coast-to-coast in a fulfillment of “Manifest Destiny.” Seigenthaler describes and illustrates all of these historical with eloquence and discernment.
To accomplish two goals, Polk acquired both Oregon Territory from the British and the American Southwest forcibly from Mexico. For another goal, he also reduced a tariff against Northern industry. Finally, he disbanded the National Bank and instituted an economic system that stayed in place until the Great Depression. His supporters point to this efficient track record of success to support his case for the upper tier of presidents. Seigenthaler tends to stick to this narrative and not become sidetracked by negative critiques of the president.
However, Polk kept a personal diary full of his vision about the day’s affairs. Many a historian has lambasted this diary. It’s full of personality quirks and pettiness that do not put him in a great light. Seigenthaler generally stays away from the diary as a dominant source and instead focuses on Polk’s accomplishments. As such, this account positions Seigenthaler as more of an apologist than a critic. Polk’s admirers in his (and my) home state of Tennessee can thus appreciate this friendly account. Love Polk or hate Polk, Seigenthaler lays it out in this accessible, short, and carefully worded volume.
James K. Polk
By John Seigenthaler
Copyright (c) 2003
Times Books
ISBN13 9780805069426
Page Count: 188
Genre: Presidential Biography, US History
Sponsored link to www.amazon.com