| James K. Polk: A Political Biography - To the End of a Career 1845-1849
(1995)
|
| Front Cover |
Book Details |
|
| Genre |
Biography; Non-Fiction |
| Subject |
Polk, James K. (James Knox), 1795-1849; Presidents - United States - Biography |
| Publication Date |
April 1995 |
| Format |
Hardcover (9.3
x
6.2
mm)
|
| Publisher |
American Political Biography Press |
| Extras |
Dust Jacket; Dust Jacket Cover |
|
| Personal Details |
| Store |
Alibris |
| Purchase Price |
$25.20 |
| Acquire Date |
3/14/2011 |
| Condition |
Fine/Fine |
| Rating |
0 |
|
| Product Details |
| Dewey |
973.61092 |
| ISBN |
9780945707103 |
| Cover Price |
$32.50 |
| No. of Pages |
384 |
| First Edition |
No |
| Rare |
No |
|
| Notes/Review |
Fine in Fine dust jacket Hardcover. American Political Biography Press, 1995. Reprint Edition. (Volume II). Fine Book in Fine Dust Jacket. Overall, a clean and tight copy to add to a collection or read and enjoy. Dust Jacket protected with a new archival cover. Bubble wrapped and shipped promptly in a box.
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This book is subtitled "A Political Biography". We learn almost nothing about the man himself, his family, his background. The author was single-minded in his effort to describe Polk's political achievements.
I think I have a fairly good grasp of American history, but before reading this book I had no idea what Polk accomplished. I knew next to nothing about the Mexican American war, I didn't really know anything about California history prior to the gold rush, didn't know how America came to possess vast tracts of the southwest. For most wars in our nations history I could name the President in office at the time, I could name a general or two and a couple battles, and I could perhaps explain the causes of the war. I knew none of these things about the Mexican war. Talking to friends I realize this is the normal state. Nobody seems to have been taught about one of the three largest land acquisitions on our history (others being the Louisiana Purchase and Alaska). Polk was also responsible for settling the Oregon question.
The slavery issue didn't get much space in this book. This is largely due to the relative importance of the Texas, Mexico, and Oregon issues. The author makes the case the Polk didn't really understand the slavery issue. He was a slaveholder himself. He seemed to think that politicians of his day who raised slavery as a problem did so not because of their true beliefs but rather only as a way to select candidates for office - a political wedge, so to speak.
I give the book only three stars because I would have liked to learn more about the man. I have complained about presidential biographies concentrating too much on what the first lady wore or the furnishings of the White House or what was served at banquets. This is at the opposite extreme - Polk's family is barely mentioned. From this book, you'd never know there was a dinner or banquet at the White House during Polk's tenure. |
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