Andrew Jackson: A Life from Beginning to End

Biographies of US Presidents - Hourly History #7

by Hourly History

Andrew Jackson Old Hickory. King Mob. The Peoples President. King Andrew I. The nicknames by which the seventh president is known reflect the different facets of his complicated nature. He believed in the rights of the common man because he came from humble beginnings and distrusted the vested institutions of power. The first American president born to immigrant parents, Jackson was the embodiment of the new blood which infused the American spirit in the early 19th century. Inside you will read about... ✓ The Birth of a Legend ✓ Jackson the General ✓ Jackson and Politics ✓ Jackson’s Home Life ✓ Jackson’s First Term ✓ Jackson’s Second Term ✓ Jackson Returns to Tennessee ✓ Jackson’s Legacy Like his country, he was both ruthless and chivalrous, hot-tempered and steadfast, an authoritarian and a believer in equality. Jackson cannot be described in one-dimensional terms because there were layers to the Tennessee frontier president. Jacksonian democracy invigorated the national government and became a foundation of the modern political process. Controversial and complicated, Andrew Jacksons life is worthy of examination. To understand America, it’s vital to understand Andrew Jackson."

Genres: History, Biography, Nonfiction, Politics, Ebooks, Historical, American History

119 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 28, 2016

About the author

At Hourly History, we focus on publishing history books that are concise, straightforward and take no longer than one hour to read.

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Reviews

[Otherwyrld · Rating 2 out of 5]

This volume of the Hourly History series wasn't as well written as some of the others I have read. It skipped about far too much, particularly with the President's personal life. Other areas were skipped over far too much, so the little I learned did not feel cohesive.

[Charles · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very informative, mainly because I knew next to nothing about him to begin with.
Sounds like he was quite a jerk.

[Thom Swennes · Rating 4 out of 5]

Andrew Jackson is probably best known as the general that defeated the British at the Battle of New Orleans on January 8, 1815, thwarting another invasion and ending the War of 1812. In point of fact, peace was negotiated in Belgium (then still part of the United Netherlands) with the signing of the Treaty of Ghent on December 24, 1814. This gaffe was due to slow communication but the impact on American morale was lasting. It helped to soothe the humiliation of the British’s burning of Washington on August 24, 1814.
Although Jackson had no formal training as a soldier, he made a name and built a popular reputation as an Indian fighter. He led volunteers in campaigns against the Creeks, Cherokees, Chickasaws, Choctaws, and later the Seminoles in Florida. Born into an immigrant family on March 15, 1767, he was orphaned at the age of fourteen and went to live with an uncle. He became a lawyer and practiced in western North Carolina (later becoming the state of Tennessee in 1796). He was also a planter and plantation (The Hermitage) owner. He became the seventh President of the United States, serving two terms from 1829-1837.

Jackson was a national hero and much-respected president. He took over the presidency in a time when the young United States was flexing its muscles and was hungry for expansion westward. Jackson, nicknamed Old Hickory due to his strong constitution and tenacity during the Indian Wars, was a man of the people. Common people could identify with him. It is often stated (quite rightly) that history repeats itself. Jackson was a president like no other before him. He was fast at making decisions and tenacious to a fault. He vetoed more bills from Congress than all of his six predecessors, combined. Some of his decisions and choices remain today, controversial. The expulsion of Indian tribes from their hereditary homelands to west of the Mississippi is now viewed as one of the United States most dishonorable actions. As a plantation owner, he was also an owner of slaves and viewed it as an economic necessity rather than a humanitarian travesty. He supported states rights but rejected a central banking system. He believed in a union at all costs but advocated slave state expansion. He loved peace but was the maker of war. In other words, he was a man full of surprises……much like the present president.

[Angela Anskis · Rating 2 out of 5]

a book that reads like a justification for Jackson

This book has some good information in it and I used it to prepare for a class I am teaching on Andrew Jackson. I am a history teacher who has studied Jackson for a while. I will not be having my students read this. It was overly biased towards Jackson, and it feels like the author does not understand the whole picture and the harm that was caused by him. It is only mentioned minimally, and is backed with justifications for Jackson.

I officially HAD it when the author had the audacity to compare Harriet Tubman to Andrew Jackson. I kid you not. I almost dropped my phone when I read it. This book reads like it should’ve been written 70 years ago; I was shocked when I found out how much more recently it was written.

It’s unfortunate because I actually really enjoyed the author’s style of writing. It was easy to read, there were some awesome vocabulary words for students, and it flowed so well. This just felt like it was verging on revisionist history. I’d be curious to read some of the author’s work on less controversial figures.

[Ed Barton · Rating 4 out of 5]

The People’s President

The first elected populist, Jackson leveraged his wartime experience and relatability into the first CEO president. Consolidating power without reserve, violating treaties, the Supreme Court and wielding the veto aggressively, Jackson moved from idol to iconoclast in light of review of history in the 21st Century. The facts are more complex, and this short book will help provide an objective look. A good read.

[William W.Melanson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well written

This book was an easy read and kept me captivated to the very end, there were events in Old Hickery's life that were surprising, he was not kind to the Native Americans.

[Ann D. Thorpe · Rating 3 out of 5]

Andrew Jackson: A life from Beginning to End.
The book informed me of the very basics of this Presidents life. It reminded me of a really long Book report, slightly better. If you know absolutely nothing about Andrew Jackson, you will come away with some knowledge of the individual. It's a quick read.

[Alex Tooker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good and short read

Ended on a more current events note and had an engaging intro and ending, worth a read. Overall, provides an unbiased (wellbeit short) read on the life of the peoples president.

[Carl Deskins,III · Rating 5 out of 5]

A self-explanatory review of a well-researched book.

I give this book a good rating as one that should be read!!!!!!!!! This book should be read by anyone seeking a historical perspective upon life!!!!!

[alton gurney · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well written, I learned more about Jackson than in school. I have to take in consideration .

the times but I am disappointed what he did to the Indians. But as a leader and a war hero coming from nothing,is impressive.

[Glenn Lygrisse · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mostly well done

This book would have been better if the author had left off the personal options at the end re. Broadway plays and the political controversy re the $20 bill.
The reality should be included, not theory and opinion.

[Roberto Sanson C]

Todo lo que necesitas saber en lo esencial

Un libro conciso de un momento clave de la historia de EEUU. Bien escrito y al grano. Importante para entender la formación de los valores nacionales de EEUU

[Shane · Rating 1 out of 5]

"Andrew Jackson was like Harriet Tubman" this book bent over backward to avoid holding Jackson to account for the suffering he and his policies caused. This series of books would make Hitler, Stalin, and Mao into heroes emphasizing their contributions and downplaying or excusing their crimes.

[logan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pretty good

I have read several long biographies on Andrew jackson. This was is short and not as thorough . it may leave out some facts but it is very well written and contains the most important ones , I recommend to all wanting to know about this president .

[RK Byers · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Subject Affects The Quality

I get the Lincoln angle on his rags-to-riches appeal, but even the lack of a more warts-and-all bio on the guy reveals glaring faults and flaws in his personal and professional character.

[Bull Market Bibliophile · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love these hourly history books, they do a great job of giving a quick interesting read on a topic or person. Andrew Jackson in this book gave me some similar vibes of the Trump presidency. Very interesting person and time in American history.

[Holly Bonnette · Rating 3 out of 5]

General overview okay. Did not like that it did not go more into the corruption, Aaron Burr, Jefferson, etc. of his life and presidency.

[Julian Orozco, Jr. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good read

Very good read. Lots to find out and refresh about Andrew Jackson, one the United States most influential and favorite Presidents.

[William Wiese · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a good short fast read ideal for a middle school student for a fast overview.

[Bruce · Rating 3 out of 5]

Andrew Jackson was a real character. always true to his heart and his ideas.

[Emma Dargue · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good introduction to one of the us presidents i didn't know a lot about.

[Caesar Palacios · Rating 5 out of 5]

Unorthodox President

His Presidency is marred by his "unique" management style. Controversial and firm in his decisions which doesn't follow the norm.

[Richard L Quinn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Needed more of his history and activities and less of the current nonsense of faces on $20 bills. Stick with history and facts and avoid politics.

[Robin Dix · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lot of good information here but there was so much not related to this President that could have been left out.

[Ietrio · Rating 1 out of 5]

This is a shallow blend of valuable public domain sources like Wikipedia and the school manuals.

[David B. Albrecht · Rating 5 out of 5]

Quick,yet excellent coversge

[F · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have read several full length biographies of Jackson and still learned some new things in this little volume. Very even-handed writing on this controversial leader.

[Thordur · Rating 3 out of 5]

The first president to be a descendant of immigrants. A leader in wars and was shot at in duels as well. He seems to have been rather popular. Two terms.

[David · Rating 5 out of 5]

Old Hickory

Great short history read of our nations 7th president. First president that was not from the elite Virginia/Massachusetts dynasty. Rose from the backwoods of Tennessee, became a military leader and was elected by the common people twice.

[Elaine Siebold · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good overview of Andrew Jackson

I recently finished reading. Hamilton and George Washington by Ron Chernov, while recover ing from an illness during and post the 2016 Presidential Election. Not a fan of this new " president", I saw the portrait of Jackson over Donald Trumps desk and it motivated me to read this. It gave me some insight into Trump's autocratic style of governance. Would recommend these short biographyso to anyone. I will read more.