Let’s celebrate Andrew Jackson’s birthday with another book full of bloodlust and hatred for Calhoun and Clay. This Pulitzer-prize winning book has a fantastic reputation, and Meacham is one of the most famous pop historians of our day. I have no idea how you could possibly do justice to Jackson in a single volume, but oh well! Gonna jump right in!
The Book
American Lion
Author: Jon Meacham
2008
Amazon Link
Perhaps it’s because I believe Remini’s 3-volume work gave an appropriate, scholarly overlook necessary to appreciate Jackson’s full range of character, but I’ve been suspicious of American Lion since I saw it published in 2008 (I was in undergrad at the time). This book was a Pulitzer Prize winning piece, so it’s got the award chops to back it up, but will that mean its ability to interpret from a Jacksonian Era lens will be marred?
Anyway, when Trump was elected, Time magazine produced an issue dedicated to my main man Andrew Jackson, and the magazine was largely based off this biography.* My desire to read this book grew in proportion to my suspicion, and I really want to see how you can possibly incorporate much nuance in such a short space. Which Jackson will Meacham see in his reading of original documents?
*This is probably due to the fact that Jon Meacham is probably one of the most popular historians around today, and the other part is probably that Robert Remini died in 2013 and couldn’t have written the magazine article even if they wanted him to. Which I would have.
Non-Spoiler Review
I have a total and complete hard-on for Remini’s historical analysis. A the same time, I really, really liked Meacham’s delicious writing style. His ability to craft a sentence is phenomenal. He’s also got a really good grasp of storycraft and can turn what I thought were some of the more boring parts of the Jackson administration into a fascinating story.
One issue I had with this book was probably unavoidable. Because it was limited to one volume, Meacham chose to glance over Jackson’s early life. I think this is a misfortune because without knowing this information, Jackson feels relatively inconsistent in his political beliefs and stands. Meacham attributes what I think is too much to Jackson’s orphaning and experiences in the revolution, and not enough to his marriage, victory at New Orleans, and insane, bloodthirsty time working with the Blount faction. I personally don’t believe in attempting historical psychology, which Meachem definitely tried to do.
I enjoyed this book because it focused on some of the social aspects of 1820’s and 30’s politics that Remini basically glanced over. The Petticoat War was fascinating in this book, though I think Meacham could have done more to show Van Buren’s massive influence in the set of events. I absolutely loved his analysis of Emily Donelson’s recently unearthed letters on the subject, and I thought that was a great addition to the story. The way he incorporated Peggy Eaton’s memoirs and letters was fantastic. If nothing else, Meacham’s telling and analysis of the Petticoat War is worth reading.
In the end, though, I do think too much focus was put on Andrew Jackson Donelson, one of Jackson’s nephews and wards. Though Jackson was indeed the central figure, he didn’t really feel like the “protagonist” of the book as much as Andrew and Emily Donelson. I think this can be attributed to the new documents Meacham had access to (some of Andrew and Emily’s letters), but I still thought the book was somewhat scattered because of this.
5/5 Discoball Snowcones (because let’s be honest, I loved it despite all the above complaints)
SPOILERS REVIEW
Oops I think I spoiled everything above.
Except guess what? I read the author’s notes, and my main man Remini helped edit. In 2008, I think there was no other choice. Mwahahaha! I knew you couldn’t leave that dude out!
Next week:
Another character/person in Andrew Jackson’s life that doesn’t get enough credit is freaking Martin Van Buren. Next week, I’ll try to do him a little bit of justice as I read Martin Van Buren and the Making of the Democratic Party.
Which was written by Remini, btw.
Let Me Tell You the Story of... 
Jackson lived in a time I don’t know much about. I mean “The Petticoat War,” hunh? Obviously I need to read American Lion.
Haha, if you’re looking for a 1-volume explanation, this one’s pretty good. It’s not my favorite overall, but it’s my favorite in such a short space.
I’m currently trying to write historical fantasy based on the Age of Jackson. It’s turning out to be a bunch of novellas, and I’ve got the first two churned up already!
I’m impressed. Best of luck on finishing them.
Haha, I doubt I ever do – it’s just a work of fun, nothing I plan to actually publish, so I have no fear of expanding it past the point of reasonable.
So, not knowing so much about your Jackson, should I read AJ His Life and Times first and then this one? Knowing that I am lazy and slow, is there another solid overview that you would recommend?
How long have you harbored this affair of the heart with Andrew Jackson? What is “your song”, that one that you and he share?
1) If you’re up for only reading one book, I’d decide whether you’re more interested in his early life or his presidency. If you’re interested in his early life, I’d go “AJ: His Life and Times.” If you’re interested in the Presidency, I’d go with “American Lion.” If you’re willing to go nuts, the Remini trilogy is genuinely my favorite.
2) The song we share is the Battle of New Orleans by Johnny Horton. Is that what you mean?
3) I’ve been into presidents since my grandmother bought me a poster with pictures of the presidents and a bunch of facts. I became a Jackson person, specifically, in high school. Most of what people know him for is the terrible Trail of Tears, but he’s just SUCH a lunatic – and I find him endlessly intriguing as a result.
I’ll probably go with the early years and if I am further intrigued move on. The trilogy sounds…. long.
Oh I know that song. I just didn’t know if you and Andrew had a special song just the two of you.
This was a very fun review!
Haha, thanks!