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The Life of Andrew Jackson
Marquis James. The Life of Andrew Jackson. Indianapolis: Bobbs-Merrill, [1938]. Later edition. Octavo. 972 pages. Publisher's binding and dust jacket.
This work, which combined in a single volume the author's 1934 The Border Captain with its 1937 sequel The Portrait of a President , won the 1938 Pulitzer Prize for Biography.
This work, which combined in a single volume the author's 1934 The Border Captain with its 1937 sequel The Portrait of a President , won the 1938 Pulitzer Prize for Biography.
972 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1938
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
October 5, 2013
http://bestpresidentialbios.com/2013/...
“The Life of Andrew Jackson” by Marquis James is a single-volume biography combining two of his earlier books: “The Border Captain” published in 1934 and his 1937 book “Portrait of a President.” Part I of the biography covers Jackson’s youth, military service and time as the Governor of Florida and as a U.S. Senator. Part II begins with Jackson’s unsuccessful 1824 presidential campaign and proceeds through his presidency and retirement years.
This combined work was published in 1938 and won the Pulitzer Prize for Biography. Although critically acclaimed after publication, it does not seem to be frequently read or reviewed more recently. Nonetheless it remains an important early source of insight on our seventh president, authored by a meticulous and diligent biographer.
This is the oldest of the thirty-seven biographies I’ve read to date (from Washington through Quincy Adams) and it is immediately obvious from the writing style that this is no piece of modern literature. The text is dry, dense and sometimes hard to follow – particularly in the first half of the book. The narrative is occasionally laborious to follow and the author frequently seems to include anecdotes (or even compete story lines) that seem excessive or irrelevant.
Notwithstanding my irritation with the early reading experience, the descriptions of Jackson’s numerous duels early in his life is gripping, and the Battle of New Orleans is relived wonderfully in vivid and colorful language; the reader almost feels like a witness to the original conflict. Unfortunately, it seems as much is learned about Jackson’s fascination with horse racing in the early part of the book as is learned about his role in the War of 1812.
As the book progresses, the author’s narration becomes easier to absorb and to appreciate. Arduous chunks of text seem less frequent while compelling observations and clever one-liners become more common. Just past the halfway point it becomes obvious that this book really deserves to be read twice by any serious fan or scholar of Jackson (and who else would be reading this book, right?)
Especially outstanding is the author’s discussion of the election of 1824. His excellent summary of each of the presidential candidates is accompanied by insightful analysis of their individual strengths, weaknesses and tactical challenges. This election – in which Jackson received more popular and electoral votes than the eventual winner, John Quincy Adams – was better covered than any election in any biography I’ve yet read (excepting Adams vs. Jefferson: The Tumultuous Election of 1800 where an entire book was focused on a single captivating election).
Overall, “The Life of Andrew Jackson” is a worthwhile, if dated, biography of our seventh president. Though slow and weighty at the outset, it steadily picks up steam and becomes hard to set aside, particularly during Jackson’s presidency. Since this was my first Andrew Jackson biography, I do not yet possess a frame of reference to aid in a peer group comparison. But on its own it is a worthy, if slightly demanding, biography of an decidedly colorful and interesting president.
Overall rating: 3¾ stars
“The Life of Andrew Jackson” by Marquis James is a single-volume biography combining two of his earlier books: “The Border Captain” published in 1934 and his 1937 book “Portrait of a President.” Part I of the biography covers Jackson’s youth, military service and time as the Governor of Florida and as a U.S. Senator. Part II begins with Jackson’s unsuccessful 1824 presidential campaign and proceeds through his presidency and retirement years.
This combined work was published in 1938 and won the Pulitzer Prize for Biography. Although critically acclaimed after publication, it does not seem to be frequently read or reviewed more recently. Nonetheless it remains an important early source of insight on our seventh president, authored by a meticulous and diligent biographer.
This is the oldest of the thirty-seven biographies I’ve read to date (from Washington through Quincy Adams) and it is immediately obvious from the writing style that this is no piece of modern literature. The text is dry, dense and sometimes hard to follow – particularly in the first half of the book. The narrative is occasionally laborious to follow and the author frequently seems to include anecdotes (or even compete story lines) that seem excessive or irrelevant.
Notwithstanding my irritation with the early reading experience, the descriptions of Jackson’s numerous duels early in his life is gripping, and the Battle of New Orleans is relived wonderfully in vivid and colorful language; the reader almost feels like a witness to the original conflict. Unfortunately, it seems as much is learned about Jackson’s fascination with horse racing in the early part of the book as is learned about his role in the War of 1812.
As the book progresses, the author’s narration becomes easier to absorb and to appreciate. Arduous chunks of text seem less frequent while compelling observations and clever one-liners become more common. Just past the halfway point it becomes obvious that this book really deserves to be read twice by any serious fan or scholar of Jackson (and who else would be reading this book, right?)
Especially outstanding is the author’s discussion of the election of 1824. His excellent summary of each of the presidential candidates is accompanied by insightful analysis of their individual strengths, weaknesses and tactical challenges. This election – in which Jackson received more popular and electoral votes than the eventual winner, John Quincy Adams – was better covered than any election in any biography I’ve yet read (excepting Adams vs. Jefferson: The Tumultuous Election of 1800 where an entire book was focused on a single captivating election).
Overall, “The Life of Andrew Jackson” is a worthwhile, if dated, biography of our seventh president. Though slow and weighty at the outset, it steadily picks up steam and becomes hard to set aside, particularly during Jackson’s presidency. Since this was my first Andrew Jackson biography, I do not yet possess a frame of reference to aid in a peer group comparison. But on its own it is a worthy, if slightly demanding, biography of an decidedly colorful and interesting president.
Overall rating: 3¾ stars
February 1, 2026
A triumph of manhood in life, the model of American energy in death. Jackson's is the model we follow now, if tarnished by greater profanities and fewer hopes than his own age afforded.
The two volumes in one are very enjoyable reading, though they pass with haste over many issues which I wish afforded greater attention and dwell over long on financials relative to the others. This is, I suppose, along with an appropriate degree of great-man-of-history analysis, the result of the peculiar moment, 1937, in which it was written. One wonders if such a frank and sympathetic look at Jackson is possible this side of our 1945 inheritance. If not, we are the worse, and I am proud that my single conversation with the Secretary of War was to recommend to him this volume as a singular map to understand the days and men which we are placed amidst.
The two volumes in one are very enjoyable reading, though they pass with haste over many issues which I wish afforded greater attention and dwell over long on financials relative to the others. This is, I suppose, along with an appropriate degree of great-man-of-history analysis, the result of the peculiar moment, 1937, in which it was written. One wonders if such a frank and sympathetic look at Jackson is possible this side of our 1945 inheritance. If not, we are the worse, and I am proud that my single conversation with the Secretary of War was to recommend to him this volume as a singular map to understand the days and men which we are placed amidst.
April 29, 2018
Really excellent, lots of context so that I've learned a good deal more about America around the turn of the 19th century than I ever had before...one of those books that makes me curse high school history for being so insipid.
At this point, however, I do think Jackson ought to be taken off the 20 dollar bill, between his treatment of the Indians who fought for and at his side, and his position as a slave dealer, not just a slave owner and employer as four or five early Presidents were, but a man who made it a business to buy people to sell again, like any other livestock.
At this point, however, I do think Jackson ought to be taken off the 20 dollar bill, between his treatment of the Indians who fought for and at his side, and his position as a slave dealer, not just a slave owner and employer as four or five early Presidents were, but a man who made it a business to buy people to sell again, like any other livestock.
March 22, 2024
You know the old expression, "Those who do not learn from history are doomed to repeat it"? If you find yourself feeling despondent over the craziness of our current political season, I suggest you spend some time digging into the career of the very first American president to ride a populist wave into the White House.
I just wrapped up Marquis James 1938 treatment of the life of Andrew Jackson. Even averaging a chapter a day, it took me two months to make it through this 786-page behemoth (with another 100 pages of notes and bibliography), but it was well worth it. Although Jame's style reflects the early 20th century and his treatment is largely sympathetic to Old Hickory, his approach was refreshing compared to the more overtly agenda-driven histories that are typical of our day.
As a native Tennessean and a former New Orleanian, it is hard not to find Jackson fascinating, even if I disagree with much of his politics. Throughout the book I found myself becoming acquainted with the stories behind names I've been surrounded by all my life: Blount, Sevier, Polk, Donelson, Claibourne, and Lafayette, to name a few. Although today Jackson is rightly condemned for his embrace of slavery and his treatment of the Cherokee, James presents a portrait that is much more nuanced and complicated. Jackson was very much a man of his times, but he also is responsible for breaking the monopoly of the national bank (and its corruption), forestalling the break-up of the Union for a generation, and midwifing the annexation of Texas into the United States (in the process, frustrating both British ambition and Mexican revenge). James shows us a man who was capable of ruthless violence, but was also a man with a deep sense of honor, resolve, and familial loyalty (he epitomized the phrase, "No better friend; no worse enemy"). Jackson practically had to be drafted into his first campaign for the White House, spent the entire eight years longing to retire to his beloved Hermitage, and resisted pressures to profit from his position, even after repeated attempts to clean up his son's debt problems left him practically penniless.
When one reads about the drama and political shenanigans that surrounded Jackson's Presidency, and realize that somehow the United States managed to survive even that, one comes away with a new perspective towards our modern controversies, and a sense of hope. Perhaps our Constitution is strong enough to survive this current craziness after all.
I just wrapped up Marquis James 1938 treatment of the life of Andrew Jackson. Even averaging a chapter a day, it took me two months to make it through this 786-page behemoth (with another 100 pages of notes and bibliography), but it was well worth it. Although Jame's style reflects the early 20th century and his treatment is largely sympathetic to Old Hickory, his approach was refreshing compared to the more overtly agenda-driven histories that are typical of our day.
As a native Tennessean and a former New Orleanian, it is hard not to find Jackson fascinating, even if I disagree with much of his politics. Throughout the book I found myself becoming acquainted with the stories behind names I've been surrounded by all my life: Blount, Sevier, Polk, Donelson, Claibourne, and Lafayette, to name a few. Although today Jackson is rightly condemned for his embrace of slavery and his treatment of the Cherokee, James presents a portrait that is much more nuanced and complicated. Jackson was very much a man of his times, but he also is responsible for breaking the monopoly of the national bank (and its corruption), forestalling the break-up of the Union for a generation, and midwifing the annexation of Texas into the United States (in the process, frustrating both British ambition and Mexican revenge). James shows us a man who was capable of ruthless violence, but was also a man with a deep sense of honor, resolve, and familial loyalty (he epitomized the phrase, "No better friend; no worse enemy"). Jackson practically had to be drafted into his first campaign for the White House, spent the entire eight years longing to retire to his beloved Hermitage, and resisted pressures to profit from his position, even after repeated attempts to clean up his son's debt problems left him practically penniless.
When one reads about the drama and political shenanigans that surrounded Jackson's Presidency, and realize that somehow the United States managed to survive even that, one comes away with a new perspective towards our modern controversies, and a sense of hope. Perhaps our Constitution is strong enough to survive this current craziness after all.
December 8, 2024
If you like to look up vocabulary you don't know or are unsure of (which I do) this is for you. I carried a dictionary around with me while I read this book. It was very informative, went deep into detail (sometimes so deep I found it a bit boring). Jackson was a strong leader not easily swayed. He loved his country, his family and he had several very strong relationships with like-minded men. He was also human and had weaknesses that hampered him throughout his life. I'm glad I read it.
October 18, 2024
I read this book years ago, and since that time (1974-I'm 71 yrs old) I have been a big fan of Andrew Jackson. If I could travel back in time, I would want to meet him.
Sure, looking at him lin this day and age, he would be vilified: but he was a man of his time,
Sure, looking at him lin this day and age, he would be vilified: but he was a man of his time,
November 10, 2014
I would recommend James' book over the highly touted
The Age of Jackson
by the venerated presidential historian, Arthur Schlesinger. James' book is a detailed recounting of the entire life of this important American statesman.
July 15, 2014
I had just read the bio of Rachel Jackson so a lot of what was in this book ,I had just read about. I did not like the style of writing or the way the author jumped from one decade to another and back again. I like a history book to just stick with the facts and not try to be to cleaver with the wording.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews