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3.68 AVERAGE
3.68 AVERAGE
informative
another pretty bland presidential biography. didnt learn a whole lot, but learned some. even though it wasnt that long, i still found that some parts had too much historical context and weren’t focused enough on polk. i did like that the author tried to make a point at the end, even though i partially disagreed with his point. also, i wish it would have talked more about his enslaved people
Perhaps painfully accurate, but a dreary and boring book.
I read President biographies to get a sense of their accomplishments and what type of person they were, but this book lacks both. The specifics of Polk's accomplishments could just as well be ascertained from a Wikipedia article and the only anecdotes you get are about the various other figures present at the time (Sam Houston, Andrew Jackson, James Buchanan, Winifield Scott, Zachary Taylor, etc.). While that might be great for true lovers of history from that time, I continuously felt like I was missing out on what Polk was up to during these times.
I didn't get a real sense of why Polk pursued any of his agenda or what made him tick. This is a good book for historical facts, but it's boring to read and I can't help but think I'll forget I read it at all in a few weeks.
I read President biographies to get a sense of their accomplishments and what type of person they were, but this book lacks both. The specifics of Polk's accomplishments could just as well be ascertained from a Wikipedia article and the only anecdotes you get are about the various other figures present at the time (Sam Houston, Andrew Jackson, James Buchanan, Winifield Scott, Zachary Taylor, etc.). While that might be great for true lovers of history from that time, I continuously felt like I was missing out on what Polk was up to during these times.
I didn't get a real sense of why Polk pursued any of his agenda or what made him tick. This is a good book for historical facts, but it's boring to read and I can't help but think I'll forget I read it at all in a few weeks.
informative
reflective
medium-paced
informative
medium-paced
In my project to read a biography of every U.S. President, I did not expect James K. Polk to be a standout. In US history, while we're often taught about 54 40 or fight and the Mexican-American war, Polk is often one of the more-forgotten presidents between Jackson and Lincoln. Walter Borneman's biography, however, does an excellent job of placing Polk in historical context. And in doing so, he makes the case for Polk as one of the most influential presidents, one whose actions really presaged the evolution of the American political system. The framing of the Mexican-American War, in particular, in context as the precursor to American imperialism is incredibly effective. Polk is not a standout president, but this biography was a standout for me in really using historical perspective to better tell the story of an oft-forgotten President
"In politics, serendipity should never be discounted. But then again, neither should persistence, hard work, and unyielding determination. The stars may have aligned for James K. Polk in 1844, but that he was there at all to take advantage of them was due to his own personal resilience and character."
My last few POTUS reads have been a bit boring to say the least. Even Robert Remini’s elegantly written biography of Andrew Jackson was a bit dry. Thankfully, Borneman came along with an engaging, narrative-driven book about POTUS #11: James K. Polk.
He was a dark horse candidate (perhaps the first in American history, actually) in 1844 and won a close election. Before taking office, he promised to serve just a single term, and he faithfully held to that promise (for perhaps the last time in American history).
Polk made four campaign pledges, and accomplished all of them. Most famously, he doubled the size of the US, acquiring Texas (with help from his predecessor), the Oregon Territory (which included Washington), and California (which included Arizona and most of New Mexico).
In the midst of his great successes, though, he led the nation into the Mexican-American War using less-than-wholesome reasoning. He accomplished much, at least based on what he promised, but he got us into a needless war which was, in many ways, a precursor to the Civil War.
Borneman navigates this tension pretty well and crafts a compelling narrative about Polk’s place in the Civil War era and the broader reach of American presidential history. Good reading for any fan of history.
My last few POTUS reads have been a bit boring to say the least. Even Robert Remini’s elegantly written biography of Andrew Jackson was a bit dry. Thankfully, Borneman came along with an engaging, narrative-driven book about POTUS #11: James K. Polk.
He was a dark horse candidate (perhaps the first in American history, actually) in 1844 and won a close election. Before taking office, he promised to serve just a single term, and he faithfully held to that promise (for perhaps the last time in American history).
Polk made four campaign pledges, and accomplished all of them. Most famously, he doubled the size of the US, acquiring Texas (with help from his predecessor), the Oregon Territory (which included Washington), and California (which included Arizona and most of New Mexico).
In the midst of his great successes, though, he led the nation into the Mexican-American War using less-than-wholesome reasoning. He accomplished much, at least based on what he promised, but he got us into a needless war which was, in many ways, a precursor to the Civil War.
Borneman navigates this tension pretty well and crafts a compelling narrative about Polk’s place in the Civil War era and the broader reach of American presidential history. Good reading for any fan of history.
informative
medium-paced
3.5 stars. He actually did what he said he would do.
I liked it. It took me a while to read because it was a going-to-sleep book since I already roughly knew what happened because I learned it in APUSH a while ago (therefore not too suspenseful). Still, there was a lot more information then the couple of pages in that textbook.
I think I learned a lot and realized a lot more about Polk than I had before. Also, I love any and all books that mentioned California and since a large part of Polk's presidency focused on acquiring California, there was a lot of California mentions. So that also made me happy.
Also this book made me think about politics and history and such broad-minded-intellectual-pursuits, so that's always a plus.
I think I learned a lot and realized a lot more about Polk than I had before. Also, I love any and all books that mentioned California and since a large part of Polk's presidency focused on acquiring California, there was a lot of California mentions. So that also made me happy.
Also this book made me think about politics and history and such broad-minded-intellectual-pursuits, so that's always a plus.
Learned a lot about Polk and the Mexican American war/acquisition of Texas. You'd think I'd have a wide bit of knowledge about him, having grown up and been educated in Tennessee, but everyone is so busy hero-worshiping the genocidal maniac (Jackson) that Polk is just a blip.
My presidential reading journey is getting more interesting as I get into the weeds of the lesser talked about presidents. I thought Borneman did a good job of analyzing Polk's beliefs and methods in the context of the time without necessarily excusing or mythologizing him - much like the Tyler biography I just finished.
Still, it wasn't exactly a riveting ride of excitement. Though. I was fascinated to find out that Polk died pretty much immediately after leaving office.
My presidential reading journey is getting more interesting as I get into the weeds of the lesser talked about presidents. I thought Borneman did a good job of analyzing Polk's beliefs and methods in the context of the time without necessarily excusing or mythologizing him - much like the Tyler biography I just finished.
Still, it wasn't exactly a riveting ride of excitement. Though. I was fascinated to find out that Polk died pretty much immediately after leaving office.