Martin Van Buren: A Life from Beginning to End

Biographies of US Presidents - Hourly History #8

by Hourly History

Martin Van Buren * * *Download for FREE on Kindle Unlimited + Free BONUS Inside!* * * Read On Your Computer, MAC, Smartphone, Kindle Reader, iPad, or Tablet. Martin Van Buren, the eighth president of the United States, was the first president who was born an American and not a British citizen, a change in demographic which reflects his modern influence upon the office he held. His rise to political power began in the humble setting of Kinderhook, New York, where he was born to Dutch parents who ran a tavern frequented by the Empire State’s political elite, including Alexander Hamilton and Aaron Burr. Inside you will read about... ✓ An American is Born ✓ The Little Magician ✓ Van Buren Enters the National Stage ✓ President Jackson’s Right-Hand Man ✓ Van Buren’s Turn ✓ In and Out of the White House ✓ The Legacy of the Little Magician And much more! From his earliest involvement in government, Van Buren was committed to the nurturing of political parties as a way to deliver the most effective leadership to the American people. He was a loyal supporter of President Andrew Jackson, but when Van Buren took office, he inherited the financial crisis that Jackson’s policies had helped to create. The Panic of 1837 brought the economic prosperity of the country to a screeching halt and ultimately, Van Buren, who was not re-elected for a second term, paid the price. Whatever his failings as a president, he was a pre-eminent politician, and when the story of America is told, Van Buren’s contribution to the political process must be highly ranked.

Genres: History, Biography, Presidents, Nonfiction

106 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 7, 2017

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 3 out of 5]

A pretty good introduction to one of the lesser known Presidents, though in some ways he remains something of an enigma to me. An interesting contrast is drawn between the 2016 election and the one that made him president, and I was struck by a quote from him.

our Government quietly but efficiently performs the sole legitimate end of political institutions-in doing the greatest good to the greatest number

It's a lesson that has been lost somewhere along the line.

[Louise · Rating 3 out of 5]

I knew nothing about this president! But after visiting his home in Kinderhook NY I was interested in his life. This is a quick thumbnail sketch of that. I think that’s really all there was of note as contained in this biography. Interesting

[Thom Swennes · Rating 4 out of 5]

Martin van Buren, the eighth President of the United States was the first one to hold that office, born under the stars and stripes. He was born on December 5, 1782 (a year after the United States won their independence from Britain) in the small town of Kinderhook, New York. His parents encouraged him to get an education and after passing the New York bar began practicing law. It wasn’t long before he turned his attention to politics. His introduction was being elected as Surrogate of Columbia County, New York (1808-1813). This was followed in close succession with New York State Senate (1813-1820), Attorney General for New York (1815-1819), United States Senator from New York (1821-1828), ninth Governor of New York (1829), 10th United States Secretary of State (1829-1831), United States Minister to the United Kingdom (1831-1832), eighth Vice President of the United States (1833-1837), eighth President of the United States (1837-1841), making him one of the most experienced politicians yet to hold this highest office. Unfortunately, experience isn’t everything. Looking at his policies, beliefs, and achievements, one can ascertain a man that embraces negotiation and compromise over conflict and war. This, however, wasn’t always in agreement with a majority of his constituents.

I must admit that Martin van Buren and his administration weren’t well known to me. Like so many people, the presidents from Washington to Jackson are vividly implanted in our minds but the next eight are left lingering in the shadows of history. This short biography has revealed many new and interesting facts about this, hitherto unfamiliar president. One fact that jumped out at me is reading that his ancestors, migrating from Holland, originally hailed from the town of Buurmalsen. I’ve lived the last forty-five years less than twenty miles away; once again proving that we live in a very small world. I recommend this book to everyone that recognize him as just a name. Martin van Buren is a man well worth knowing.

[Mary Pat · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nice overview of a little-known American President

I came in knowing next-to-nothing about Martin van Buren, nor why I should care other than he was President. This nice, short book helps put some color around this relatively colorless man, and gives some insight to the beginning of U.S. party politics, and how it worked on a local and national level. Van Buren was a master political player, and it's interesting to see how he operated.

My main complaint is the author tries to put too much into sentences -- it's okay to break up a clause-heavy sentence into two or more sentences, ya know. It made for some confusion at times.

Definitely took less than an hour to read. I've been enjoying the series for bite-sized nuggets of history.

[Tom Foster · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a short book purchased in the gift shop at Van Buren’s home in Kinderhook, NY. It is a very readable summary of not only Van Buren’s life and presidency, but also of US history and related issues in the early 1800’s between the founding father’s time as President and Abraham Lincoln and the Civil War. As the book notes most people think of this period as a dull time between major events, but much of the foundation and principles of the new and growing country were formed in that period. Van Buren did much to help organize the two party political system we have, for better or worse.

[Randolph Rossi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Martin van Buren the Architect of the Democratic Party

Although, Martin van Buren wasn’t a great president he was able to keep the the US out of two wars, one of which against Great Britain could have been disastrous. He was more of a statesman than a politician because he would compromise rather than fight to the bitter end. I graduated from Martin van Buren High School in New York City and I was interested in learning about the man. A short but very concise rendering of this man’s life and political career.

[Paul Olkowski · Rating 5 out of 5]

This series of books on the U.S. Presidents should be required reading for every high school and college student in America. They are quick fact driven narratives that are well written and hold the readers attention.
This book on Martin Van Buren was informative and insightful on a U.S. President most people could not pick out of a crowd today or even recognize his name. He gets credit for many of the things that political parties today practice, especially his beloved Democratic Party of which he had a large hand in creating. He insisted on loyalty and cohesion to the cause and the party, and today's Democrats follow suit 200 years later, even though they are mainly too stupid to know who he was. Ask Joe Biden or Dick Durbin.
I look forward on reading more in this series.
5 stars out of 5 for Martin van Buren A life From Beginning to End.

[Thordur · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not so memorable president

When you read about Van Buren there is a lot of stuff not so remarkable. Surely he did some bad traits with Indians as Andrew Jackson also did but in most respect we see here a diplomatic president. If you are not going to read about all the presidents as a means to an end, you can easily skip this one and head to some more notorious president.

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a tough one to rate and I oscillated between 3 & 4 stars. I decided to base my rating on my expectations for this book considering a) its conciseness and b) the subject of the book, Martin Van Buren, not exactly being the most compelling or accomplished US President in history. I knew, going into it, this one wasn't going to get into much "meat"; it is, after all, an "Hourly History" book, which by design, is meant to be read within an hour. Considering those things, the author did a great job of packing a lot of good info into so few pages and providing the reader a "Cliffs Notes" version of Van Buren's political life and Presidency. That said, I couldn't give this one 5 stars because it just didn't reach out and grab me. Much like eating a meal in a hurry...I just scarfed this one down just for the nourishment, but really didn't walk away satisfied. As a matter of fact, I intend to read one at least one more book about him so I can get a better feel.

I've been reading biographies on each US President, in order of service. Needless to say, George Washington, John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, John Quincy Adams, Andrew Jackson, and to a lesser extent, James Madison and James Monroe were fascinating subjects about whom volumes could be written. Biographies written about them are numerous and comprehensive. As the 8th President of the United States, Martin Van Buren certainly warrants his own biography, just don't expect this one to be on par with books like David McCullough's Pulitzer Prize winning "John Adams" or John Ellis' "His Excellency: George Washington".

[Candace Lazzaro · Rating 2 out of 5]

Short, very little information but a fair overview of Martin Van Buren's life. I have found another book about his life that I am awaiting to arrive so I can read something with a little more depth to it.

[Kevin Alexander · Rating 5 out of 5]

A seldom talked about president

Martin Van Buren was the 8th President of the United States I found this to be an excellent overview of a man whose accomplishments were overshadowed by his polarizing predecessor. I only wish that this was longer and provided more detail

[Raymond Medrano · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Revelation

While I am familiar with American history, Van Buren was just the name of a past president. I enjoyed learning about him and that period of this country's history. The book was easy to read and very informative.

[John Wolf · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoy these short biographies of US Presidents and other historical figures. I especially like the ones about lesser known presidents in the 18th & 19th Centuries, such as Van Buren and others that served in between the Legendary presidents.

[Bruce · Rating 3 out of 5]

Martin Van Buren seems to be the first American master of politics; by hook or by crook!

[Eileen Carter · Rating 3 out of 5]

Short bio

This book is a good short biography about a president that is not as well known. Lots of facts that are not well known

[Vince Pillig · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interesting read!

Peeked my interest in the first president born in the United States. I will have to read about him in more detail.

[Regina Bourland · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short educational biography of our 8th president.

I enjoyed the bits of historical trivia that helped make this biography and easy and enjoyable read. It was more than OK :)

[M.P. MacVon]

Great summary with interesting details

I didn't know anything about president Van Buren and th I s concise summary was very helpful and has me interested to find out more.

[Robin Dix · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not very memorable. My least favorite in the series.

[Sarah · Rating 2 out of 5]

It could have used more explanation of concepts at the time, like differences between political parties.

[Bill · Rating 3 out of 5]

Anticlimactic. Tough to find a good bio of the man. Not expecting Polk to be any easier.

[The History Mom]

Short, concise biography of President Van Buren; doesn't have many details about his wife or daughter-in-law

[Emma Dargue · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good overview of the eighth president of the us