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3.68 AVERAGE
3.68 AVERAGE
Borneman made me give his biography a two. Nothing against Polk. Borneman's style grated on me. He passionately argued on Polk's behalf- I'll give him that. But it was for problems that the casual reader (i.e. me) had no idea even existed. He spends three chapters explaining that 54 40 or fight phrase didn't happen during his candidacy... um, I had no idea that the phrase existed, much less that people mistakenly recall it to his candidacy. It was a heated debate, with himself. I know more about Polk now. I can also say that.
Complete and easy to follow.
What I found most interesting is that the issues I have with politics, that I have always assumed were problems unique to current day, were also being played out in the nineteenth century.
What I found most interesting is that the issues I have with politics, that I have always assumed were problems unique to current day, were also being played out in the nineteenth century.
Polk is one of those presidents most people never think of, but who actually did a great deal. He was the first president to pledge to serve only one term and then do so. During his presidency, the United States added Texas and secured territories in New Mexico, California and Oregon — nearly doubling the size of the country. I was just so fascinated by his times and the things he did. I have a much greater appreciation for this somewhat forgotten period of American history between the country's birth and the Civil War.
More interesting presidential biography stuff...I didn't know much about our 11th president, but this biography explained a lot about his one term in office (when elected he promised to only serve one term). Polk was very much responsible for US expansion into Texas (though Tyler had a lot to do with getting the ball rolling on that) and California. I wished the book gave more detail about his early years, but otherwise an enjoyable biography.