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Martin Van Buren: The American Presidents Series: The 8th President, 1837-1841 by Ted Widmer
ppigg81's review
informative
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
4.0
I find Van Buren fascinating and this book gave a good quick summary of him. But I would have liked more detail about how he accomplished what he did.
sarahanne8382's review
3.0
And now I begin a string of mostly forgettable Presidents, although Van Buren at least has considerable accomplishments that propelled him into office that are worth mentioning (mainly the creation of the Democratic Party). Widmer does a fair job covering Van Buren's life and accomplishments in this slim volume that doesn't drag as much as you'd expect it to.
Other than my plan to read a biography of each President, I had no desire to read a book about Martin Van Buren, but I enjoyed this one.
Other than my plan to read a biography of each President, I had no desire to read a book about Martin Van Buren, but I enjoyed this one.
readermeginco's review
3.0
Poor MVB. Things were looking so bright when he entered the White House. Little did he know, his Presidency was doomed. The Banking system and the economy as a whole were headed toward ruin. So, he was President for just four short years, which probably seemed endless to him at times, especially as his attackers blamed him (and his predecessor, Andrew Jackson) for everything that was wrong with the nation. Widmer does a fine job of distinguishing MVB as one of the first true 'politicians' in this country. Indeed, the man built a career around it, and while that sounds commonplace today, this wasn't the norm up to and during his lifetime. A longer book could have gone into more detail about Indian policy and westward expansion, but Widmer did a fine job with his page limitations (I'm sure there were some) and his sections on the Texas debate and the Free Soil movement were great. I wasn't a huge fan of his writing style (why use a $1 word when a $5 word will, I dunno, seem more impressive?) But in the end, I've come away with a much greater understanding of MVB and his times. And that was my goal when I picked up the book.
plattin's review
2.0
An OK book about an OK president (and also the man who popularized "OK"). Strangely, this was written by a Clinton staffer, even though Van Buren was a small government uber-advocate. It was somewhat biased, but still interesting enough.
spinnerroweok's review
3.0
Martin Van Buren. Interesting guy. I wish I could find a better biography on him, but this too short book seems to serve somewhat the outlining of life of a man who had an inglorious presidency. The writing style was good. It compared a lot of similar modern political situations. It is worth the time to read.
cstuart13's review
4.0
Widmer makes an uninspiring president more interesting than he is in the scope of history. It is a short read, though it took me a couple of months to read the book.
Reading the presidential biographies update:
1. George Washington: "Washington: A Life" by Ron Chernow
2. John Adams: "John Adams" by David McCullough
3. Thomas Jefferson: "American Sphinx: The Character of Thomas Jefferson" by Joseph Ellis
4. James Madison: "James Madison: A Life Reconsidered" by Lynne Cheney
5. James Monroe: "The Last Founding Father: James Monroe" by Harlow Unger
6. John Quincy Adams: "John Quincy Adams: A Public Life, A Private Life" by Paul Nagel
7. Andrew Jackson: "Andrew Jackson: His Life and Times" by H.W. Brands
8: Martin Van Buren: "Martin Van Buren" by Ted Widmer
Now to slog through the next book in this rough period of presidential history.
Reading the presidential biographies update:
1. George Washington: "Washington: A Life" by Ron Chernow
2. John Adams: "John Adams" by David McCullough
3. Thomas Jefferson: "American Sphinx: The Character of Thomas Jefferson" by Joseph Ellis
4. James Madison: "James Madison: A Life Reconsidered" by Lynne Cheney
5. James Monroe: "The Last Founding Father: James Monroe" by Harlow Unger
6. John Quincy Adams: "John Quincy Adams: A Public Life, A Private Life" by Paul Nagel
7. Andrew Jackson: "Andrew Jackson: His Life and Times" by H.W. Brands
8: Martin Van Buren: "Martin Van Buren" by Ted Widmer
Now to slog through the next book in this rough period of presidential history.
susangeo's review
3.0
The book was short which is a nice change from some of the other President books that I've read in the past. Problem was I didn't care for the style of writing. I felt the author added stuff to make the book longer since there isn't much data about Van Buren.
disasterchick's review
4.0
It is hard to find a book on Martin Van Buren. This was looked to be the best my library offered and it is also mentioned in the Presidential Podcast. I have looked on line for Van Buren's Autobiography (first President to write his life story, but refused to call it a memoir because that signified near the end of life) but can only find Volume II. Widmer has mentioned a couple of times that it is rather large and boring to read, and it only goes up to the Presidency. My current challenge is to read about each President in a fair biography and then go back and read what they have written. This makes #8 so I have a long road ahead of me. There were times I really enjoyed Widmer's writing.
I walked in not really knowing anything about Martin Van Buren. Quickly learned he was the first American born president all others were pre-Revolutionary War meaning they were British Subjects. He was the first non-WASP President as he was Dutch. He founded the Democratic Party and even created the platform for the Republican Party. He talked with Jefferson knew Burr and Hamilton along with having a great night of tall tales with a young Lincoln. He was friends with Washington Irving. Overall, this biography was very positive on him - however we must remember, he was great friends with Jackson and was ultimately responsible for the Trail of Tears that Jackson had ordered. Less than a year after taking office the Panic of 1837 occurred and hurt him politically which had the most focus of his Presidency in this book.
He was friends with Burr early in his political career. Thinking of the Hamilton musical, Burr tells Hamilton, "speak less, smile more, never let them know where you stand." It was noted Van Buren took advantage of advice given to him and wondering if Burr had given this advice too, because people never really knew where he stood on any issues. You could stay that he was a fence straddler waiting to figure out the winning side, but he was very much about compromise. This is a skill that is needed in modern politics because winner take all is creating radical shifts in both directions.
Was he a perfect man - far from it. Things beyond his control went wrong with his presidency. The Trail of Tear and the 1837 Panic are things people would rather forget about and therefore have forgotten Martin Van Buren.
I walked in not really knowing anything about Martin Van Buren. Quickly learned he was the first American born president all others were pre-Revolutionary War meaning they were British Subjects. He was the first non-WASP President as he was Dutch. He founded the Democratic Party and even created the platform for the Republican Party. He talked with Jefferson knew Burr and Hamilton along with having a great night of tall tales with a young Lincoln. He was friends with Washington Irving. Overall, this biography was very positive on him - however we must remember, he was great friends with Jackson and was ultimately responsible for the Trail of Tears that Jackson had ordered. Less than a year after taking office the Panic of 1837 occurred and hurt him politically which had the most focus of his Presidency in this book.
He was friends with Burr early in his political career. Thinking of the Hamilton musical, Burr tells Hamilton, "speak less, smile more, never let them know where you stand." It was noted Van Buren took advantage of advice given to him and wondering if Burr had given this advice too, because people never really knew where he stood on any issues. You could stay that he was a fence straddler waiting to figure out the winning side, but he was very much about compromise. This is a skill that is needed in modern politics because winner take all is creating radical shifts in both directions.
Was he a perfect man - far from it. Things beyond his control went wrong with his presidency. The Trail of Tear and the 1837 Panic are things people would rather forget about and therefore have forgotten Martin Van Buren.