While I am conversant with 19th century U.S. history I knew almost nothing about James Knox Polk, I knew more of Henry Clay, John Fremont, and Thomas Hart Benton who figure in the Polk story. I wonder why it is that the Polk: The Man Who Transformed the Presidency is so little known.
Two relationships formed bedrock on which the achievements of this very able man rested. One was his wife, Mary Childress Polk, whom the author maintains was the most influential first lady after Dolley Madison until Edith Wilson. She and Polk met when she was 12 and he was 19. They married about 10 years later by which time he was already embarked on his political career. Their union was long, powerful, and happy. She was a devoted partner and confidante, an able hostess, and possessed considerable political knowledge. The other powerful relationship in the Polk story is Andrew Jackson who was Polk's mentor and backer throughout his political life. I found tales illustrating Jackson's influence quite interesting.
Polks presidential accomplishments include the admission of Texas, California, and Oregon into the Union. During his one-term presidency, the land area of the United States increased by one-third. In addition, Polk changed the nature of the presidency from one in which the legislature initiated war to one in which the president presented war resolutions to the Congress. This difference was profound, and this was only one of the ways he increased the power of the executive branch.
I found the personalities in this story the best part of the work. It was, however, first and foremost a political biography. This angle held less interest for me and at times I had to force myself to stick with it. Nevertheless, the story is quite interesting and well worth the time.
Two relationships formed bedrock on which the achievements of this very able man rested. One was his wife, Mary Childress Polk, whom the author maintains was the most influential first lady after Dolley Madison until Edith Wilson. She and Polk met when she was 12 and he was 19. They married about 10 years later by which time he was already embarked on his political career. Their union was long, powerful, and happy. She was a devoted partner and confidante, an able hostess, and possessed considerable political knowledge. The other powerful relationship in the Polk story is Andrew Jackson who was Polk's mentor and backer throughout his political life. I found tales illustrating Jackson's influence quite interesting.
Polks presidential accomplishments include the admission of Texas, California, and Oregon into the Union. During his one-term presidency, the land area of the United States increased by one-third. In addition, Polk changed the nature of the presidency from one in which the legislature initiated war to one in which the president presented war resolutions to the Congress. This difference was profound, and this was only one of the ways he increased the power of the executive branch.
I found the personalities in this story the best part of the work. It was, however, first and foremost a political biography. This angle held less interest for me and at times I had to force myself to stick with it. Nevertheless, the story is quite interesting and well worth the time.
