Andrew Jackson: His Life and Times

One of a Kind

Brands has written a one of a kind historical account of a highly under rated American hero. This comprehensive memoir reveals the character of a true American patriot who often placed his life and honor on the line in order to preserve his steadfast democratic beliefs. For any historical fanatic this biography is a winner.

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

Organized, well-thought out and well-planned biography of one of the most interesting and self-driven men to have ever made it to the White House.

Brand's biography is a work that spans the entire life of a true peoples' President. Jackson's life is filled with stories by which legends are made, and Brands takes a careful look at all of them, giving more or less detail appropriately to those that are more or less important.

The best part about Brands biography is the format. It is a fine blend of character-driven and plot-driven scenes where all the necessary background information is provided and all the repercussions of the events are included.

The biography is short for such an adventurous life, about 560 pages. For its length it is surprisingly detailed, but it would not have suffered from being made a bit longer. Perhaps the worst part are the sweeping generalizations about the time-period that are made throughout. Often, Brands talks about the way things were then and gives an awfully negative tone when doing so without providing much evidence, leading the reader to believe it's often just speculation.

Overall, the biography offers an adventurous and at times inspiring tale of a truly democratic President written by an articulate and careful pen. If you are looking for a biography that brings you equally to both character and place, without emphasizing one over the other, this is the one.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Jackson becomes the righteous thug next door.

A vivid account of a man who steeped himself in principals. Brands exhaustive research peels away previous images of the man for whom an era was named. I had to read twice the bar-room and gutter brawls. The author's descriptive telling of the gun duels; the cause and effects were no less than mesmerizng when you remember that this man was President of the United States. Brands clearly details the self-making of a man, almost an orphan, who rose and served two terms as president. His unheraled love of Rebecca, his actions as a military commander and his unyielding devotion to the preservation of the Union truly marks him as one of America's greatest heroes. Brands has gone over the top with this one.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

A reviewer

The book reads easily and is wriiten well. It is a biography that flows like a narrative therefore very interesting. But beware of some of the author's conclusions. They are tainted by his strong pro-southern and Texas bias and by his anti- New England bias.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

A great biography about a great American

I grew up within 50 miles of The Hermitage, and I had a reasonable high school and undergraduate education, but I had never realized the magnitude of Jackson's stature among our Presidents and military leaders -- the extent to which his personal conduct was important in saving the Union and in the country's development. I had never read anything by Brands before, but I found his work equally readable with Joseph J. Ellis and David McCullough. If you read and liked 'Founding Brothers', 'American Sphinx: The Character of Thomas Jefferson', 'His Excellency: George Washington', 'John Adams', and '1776', you'll also enjoy 'Andrew Jackson: His Life and Times.' This book is truly an outstanding piece of work, and a very easy and enjoyable read.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Fascinating read about a controversial leader

Brands presents a balanced view of Andrew Jackson with engaging anecdotes about his life and the rapidly maturing nation that influenced him. I liked how Brands made no apologies for behavior that made Jackson a controversial figure. But instead, he provided clear context to help readers understand the frame of mind that drove Jackson's behavior (while still pointing out Jackson's contradictions). Anecdotes about his time as a militia leader and in the Battle of New Orleans were enlightening and illustrated the times in which he lived.

Must read

Dr. Brands does an excellent job of painting the picture of Jackson and the Jacksonian era!

With its unqualified assertion that 'all men are created equal.'

On page 71 to 72 at the top the authored H.W. Brands, wrote that 'The republican premise of the American Revolution, and in particular the ringing egalitarianism of the Declaration of Independence with its unqualified assertion that 'all men are created equal,' prodded the conscience in several northern states to abolish slavery. My question is does the suthor believe that all men are not created equal? He seems to suggest that the believe is unfounded. I believe that all men and women are created equal in rights, though not in ability.

0 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

No text was provided for this review.

No text was provided for this review.

No text was provided for this review.

No text was provided for this review.

No text was provided for this review.

No text was provided for this review.

No text was provided for this review.

No text was provided for this review.

No text was provided for this review.

No text was provided for this review.

No text was provided for this review.

No text was provided for this review.