A review by neglet
Martin Van Buren: The Romantic Age of American Politics by John Niven

Plus points for being thorough and exhaustively researched in explaining VB’s career, especially how local NY state politics had a huge influence on national and presidential races. Minus points for being extremely dense, introducing dozens of minor figures and then never giving context to reorient them in the reader’s mind when they are reintroduced into the story. Also could have used more at the end to explore VB’s legacy.

VB’s career: extremely interesting. This bio: a bit of a slog.