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27 reviews for:
Martin Van Buren: The American Presidents Series: The 8th President, 1837-1841
Ted Widmer
27 reviews for:
Martin Van Buren: The American Presidents Series: The 8th President, 1837-1841
Ted Widmer
informative
slow-paced
informative
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
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.
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.
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.
informative
slow-paced
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.
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.
informative
slow-paced
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.