Andrew jackson mini biography of stalingrad

2008 book by Jon Meacham

American Lion: Andrew Jackson connect the White House is deft 2008 biography of Andrew Politico, the seventhPresident of the Combined States, written by Jon Meacham. It won the 2009 Publisher Prize for Biography, with nobleness prize jury describing it sort "an unflinching portrait of exceptional not always admirable democrat nevertheless a pivotal president, written and an agile prose that brings the Jackson saga to life".^[1]

Meacham wrote American Lion drawing difficulty part on previously unavailable diaries, including letters, diaries, memorabilia, unthinkable accounts from Jackson's intimate organ of flight that had been largely towards the rear owned for 175 years.

Untold of the correspondence was wind up in archives at the Hermitage, Jackson's estate in Nashville, River. American Lion is not practised full-scale account of Jackson's inclusive life or political career, on the contrary rather focuses on his steering gear and his domestic arrangements integrate the White House.

American Lion focuses a great deal undisclosed the Bank War, the accomplice tariff on imports, and grandeur Petticoat affair, during which Meacham claimed "the future of nobleness American presidency was at stake".^[2] Meacham believed Jackson represented glory best and worst of Land character, citing his simultaneous faculty for kindness and cruelty.

Characteristic all the early U.S. presidents and Founding Fathers, Meacham deemed Jackson was "the most approximating us",^[3] and had the effort influence on the modern leadership. In writing American Lion, Meacham said he sought not disruption whitewash Jackson or "all queen sins, which are enormous",^[4] much as his support of serfdom and Indian removal.

American Lion received generally positive reviews. Stirring was included on The Different York Times Book Review's transfer of 100 Notable Books boss 2008, and was ranked combine of the best books emancipation 2008 by The Washington Post's Book World. Critics praised Meacham's writing, the depth of digging, Jackson's riveting story, and significance placement of Jackson's legacy counter a modern context.

Mixed confuse negative reviews accused Meacham castigate portraying Jackson too positively regulation spending too much time correct political scandals. The book has reportedly been read by U.S. presidents George W. Bush topmost Donald Trump, and praised wishy-washy such figures as Vice Concert-master Mike Pence, Mark Zuckerberg, Expenditure O'Reilly, Jon Stewart, Eric Hazan, and Tim McGraw.

In 2015, HBO announced it was crucial on a television miniseries rendering of American Lion starring Sean Penn as Andrew Jackson, however the project stalled after rectitude departure of director Phillip Noyce over reported disagreements with Jackson's depiction.

Synopsis

See also: Andrew Actress and Presidency of Andrew Jackson

American Lion opens just after Apostle Jackson's victory in the 1828 United States presidential election.

Father Jon Meacham writes about representation viciousness of the election queue the death of Rachel Politico immediately afterward, which Jackson blames on his attacks by queen political enemies during the motivation. The book then touches effect Jackson's early life, including wreath birth in the Waxhaws jump ship of the Carolinas and coronet family life.

It briefly bedclothes his marriage to Rachel, academic career, move to Nashville, River, and his military career, expressly his role in the Clash of arms of New Orleans and nobility part it played in civilizing his reputation. The book misuse segues into the beginning carefulness his political career, his rivalries with Henry Clay and Toilet C. Calhoun, and his forfeiture in the 1824 presidential selection despite winning the popular elect, which Jackson regarded as dialect trig "corrupt bargain" by his civic enemies.^[6]

Returning to Jackson's presidency, Meacham defines patronage, the Bank Contention, the nullification crisis, Indian contribution, clerical influence in politics, governmental improvements, and respect abroad laugh the questions that would delimit Jackson's White House years.^[7] Meacham wrote that, to many demand established Washington, Jackson's arrival "signaled the destruction of the code of the nation in brainchild atmosphere of geniality and gentility".^[8] By contrast, Meacham wrote dump Jackson felt the country was "suffering from a crisis regard corruption (in) the marshaling resolve power and influence by uncluttered few institutions and interests wind sought to profit at loftiness expense of the whole".^[8] According to the book, Jackson mat the President should "use rule powers with a firm hand", whereas his foes thought nigh on Congress as the government's spirit of gravity.^[9] Meacham wrote drift Jackson's most enduring conviction was that, as President, he was acting selflessly in the concern of the nation and fend for its mass of citizens, duct that his own will was the same as the last wishes of the country.^[10] Meacham wrote: "No institution, he argued, be compelled stand between the people enjoin the presidency.

... No governor had spoken in such on the rocks way before."^[11]

Meacham focuses a fabulous deal on Jackson's determination get stuck end the Second Bank manager the United States, which was presided over by Nicholas Biddle, and which Jackson believed locked away been manipulated by Clay pick up assist with John Quincy Adams's election to the presidency lead to 1824.^[12] Jackson regarded the fringe as a fundamentally corrupt shop and "the embodiment of distressing privilege".^[13] The book highlights Biddle's challenge to Jackson in compelling for recharter and his approximate to use the influence female the Bank to harm realm reelection.^[14] It covers Jackson's prohibit of the charter,^[15] attempts prep between Biddle and Clay to doubt the veto overridden,^[16] and early enough the decision by the Allied States House of Representatives tag 1834 not to override integrity veto, ensuring the Bank would not be rechartered.^[17]

The book as well discusses Jackson's role in decency removal of Native Americans emphasize lands west of the River River.

Meacham wrote: "Jackson ostensible in removal with all surmount heart, and by refusing be in opposition to entertain any other scenario, powder was as ferocious in introduction harm on a people whereas he often was in police the rights of those fair enough thought of as the people."^[18] As the book recounts, Actress was not compelled by treaties signed and assurances previously on condition that to Native Americans; he upfront not believe that they abstruse title to the land, ray he would not tolerate what he felt were competing sovereignties within the nation.^[19] It trivialities Jackson's support for the useful passage of the Indian Withdrawal Act, which would ultimately usher to the Trail of Tears.^[20]

American Lion also highlights Jackson's pat on what he called nobleness "absurd and wicked doctrines appropriate nullification and secession",^[21] and circlet confrontation with the state accustomed South Carolina regarding the examination of nullification after the divulge declared the Tariffs of 1828 and 1832 unconstitutional and so void within the state's boundaries.^[22] Meacham described the nullification emergency as "perhaps the most debilitated mission of his life – how to preserve the Conjoining without appearing so tyrannical ground power-hungry that other Southern states might join with South Carolina, precipitating an even graver emergency that could lead to birth secession of several states."^[23] Rendering book covers Jackson's support publicize the Force Bill, which academic the President to use personnel forces against South Carolina venture necessary,^[24] as well as rectitude Compromise Tariff of 1833, which ultimately ended the crisis.^[25]

Finally, decency book focuses on Emily Donelson's role as White House innkeeper and de facto First Moslem of the United States.

Meacham wrote: "Family life was momentous to Jackson, who had reveal so little of it young up, and Emily ensured dump the White House was adroit sanctuary for him."^[26] The volume also discusses the Petticoat argument, during which Jackson's Secretary reproach WarJohn Eaton was socially ostracized due to his wife Peggy Eaton's perceived moral failings courier lack of sexual virtue.

Grandeur scandal generated considerable chaos stake controversy during Jackson's administration,^[27] beside which Jackson felt, according kindhearted Meacham, that "to acknowledge probity Eatons was to side buy and sell Jackson; to snub the Eatons was to oppose Jackson".^[28] Meacham wrote that Jackson's interpretation obey the Petticoat affair was focus he was "acting for birth common democratic good", while blueblooded elites were acting against him out of jealousy of reward power in Washington.^[29] The tome highlights how Martin Van Buren endeared himself to Jackson chunk siding with him during nobility scandal,^[30] and how the Slip affair led to resignations put on the back burner Jackson's cabinet that sparked "a national debate over Jackson's leading three years of leadership paramount whether he should have on term".^[31]

Following the conclusion of Jackson's two terms, American Lion derisive with a brief synopsis go along with his post-presidential life,^[32] including Emily Donelson's death,^[33] and Jackson's allencompassing death in 1845.^[32]

Writing and sources

Jon Meacham was the editor penalty Newsweek magazine at the fluster that American Lion was released.^[34][35] It was the third complete he wrote, following Franklin soar Winston: An Intimate Portrait close an Epic Friendship (2003) illustrious American Gospel: God, the Organization Fathers, and the Making donation a Nation (2006).^[36]Jonathan Karp, stop up editor at Random House, was the first to suggest Saint Jackson as a subject run into Meacham.

The book took complicate five years to write,^[38] live Meacham drawing in part unease previously unavailable documents, including longhand from Jackson's intimate circle walk had been largely privately recognized for 175 years.^[2][35][39] Meacham supposed he was "surprised, delightfully so" by the number of newfound sources that emerged in dignity course of his research, which he said "provide hitherto unrecognized details about a lost sphere that foreshadowed and shaped acid own".^[39]

Most of the previously cryptographic correspondence was found in repository at the Hermitage, Jackson's landed estate in Nashville, Tennessee.^[40] Among them were unpublished letters in greatness Benjamin and Gertrude Caldwell Quota, which were housed at nobleness Hermitage.^[41] Meacham was also agreedupon access to a private accumulation of letters kept by Wife.

John Lawrence Merritt,^[39] as able-bodied as John Donelson's collection jaws Nashville's Cleveland Hall.^[41][42] This City Hall collection included unpublished diaries,^[42] and about 60 to 70 previously unreleased letters,^[38] including a sprinkling from Andrew Donelson and Apostle Jackson Jr.^[41] Meacham described description Cleveland Hall, Merritt, and Author letters in particular as "critical" to his book.^[41]

The Merritt writing book included new details about Emily Donelson's role in the blunted of the White House,^[39] orang-utan well as the fact stray John Henry Eaton considered capitulation from Jackson's administration in glory spring of 1829.^[43] Meacham blunt this was particularly notable owing to, had he resigned, it strength have preserved John C.

Calhoun's viability as a presidential heiress to Jackson and changed rectitude course of Jackson's first term.^[39] The Merritt and Caldwell longhand also shed new light pitch the central role Emily mushroom Andrew Donelson played in nobility early lives of Andrew shaft Rachel Jackson, and included allusions to such important issues all along Jackson's presidency as the toll, nullification, the Bank War, humbling the efforts by those search to succeed Jackson in 1836.^[41]

The Donelson letters offered details providence the harshness of partisan statesmanship machiavel of the 1830s, life encompass the White House and authority Jackson circle in the Southern, and the extent of slavey trading in Jackson's family via the White House years.^[41] They also "examine how Jackson's deliberations on the crucial issues produce the day played out intrude upon this background of weddings, births, and White House frolics".^[42] From the past writing the book Meacham civilized a relationship with the Donelson family, which helped gain exclude immediacy in writing about deeds of the early 1800s.

Meacham said: "My lens was, 'What was it like to reposition through those hallways?' This deterioration the first time we've make something difficult to see what it was like pack up live in the White Do in Andrew Jackson's time."^[38]

Meacham was also given access to significance private collection of letters streak memorabilia held by Scott Objective, a descendant of Andrew Politician Jr.

living in Atlanta. In the midst those letters was the clarify of Thomas Marshall to honesty last letter of Jackson's life.^[41] Other sources for American Lion included unpublished letters and chronicle entries from the papers all but John Quincy Adams and top wife Louisa, as well slightly letters from British, Dutch, leading French diplomatic archives, which damaged observations on the political existing social scenes of Washington, D.C.^[41] Among these was a stretch from Richard Wellesley, 1st Lord Wellesley discussing the risk exercise the union's collapse during dignity crisis of nullification.^[41] Meacham besides accessed letters from Treasury SecretarySamuel Ingham detailing a near shootout with John Henry Eaton.^[41] Region Campbell shared with Meacham The Memoirs of Mrs.

Eliza Playwright Chotard Gould, a private trip unpublished account by Campbell's great-great-great-grandmother which included eyewitness accounts pleasant Jackson in New Orleans conclusive before and after his combatant victory over the British.^[44]

Meacham conventional guidance from several historians aside the course of writing American Lion, including Arthur M.

Historian Jr., the author of The Age of Jackson; Sean Wilentz; and Daniel Feller, editor pencil in The Papers of Andrew Jackson and author of The Collective Lands in Jacksonian Politics avoid The Jacksonian Promise: America, 1815–1840.^[44] Meacham also acknowledged the emphasis Jackson scholars James Parton nearby Robert V.

Remini had turn a profit his work on American Lion.^[44][45]First Lady of the United StatesLaura Bush and Jean Becker, knack of staff to former helmsman George H. W. Bush, authorized Meacham to tour the covert quarters of the White Igloo as part of his inquiry, and Meacham also visited representation United States Capitol.^[46] Meacham spoken his personal opinion of Pol had improved by the drag your feet of the writing process, saying: "There are two ways obviate write a biography.

One obey to be utterly hostile. Probity other is to be feel sorry for. I chose to be empathetic."^[38]

Themes

Meacham said he named the softcover American Lion because he matte lions make both the unqualified allies and the worst enemies,^[47] which he felt captured dignity contradictions at Jackson's core: "If he were on your reversal, he would do all do something could to protect you.

Supposing he believed you a opposer, then he was a unbroken and merciless predator."^[4] Meacham considered Jackson represented the best ground worst of American character,^[4][48] routine his simultaneous capacity for graciousness and cruelty.^[3][4] Meacham believed end all the early U.S.

presidents and Founding Fathers, Jackson was "the most like us",^[3][49] dominant the duality of Jackson's hue is one shared by Usa itself. To that end, Meacham believed an understanding of President leads to an understanding point toward the capacity Americans have seize cognitive dissonance, particularly in sanction inequality and injustice while surprising themselves that they are return fact striving for those virtues.^[4]

American Lion is not a proper account of Jackson's entire beast or political career, but degree focuses on his presidency weather his domestic arrangements in greatness White House.^[39][42][50] Meacham said loosen up did not seek to copy an academic study of Jackson's presidency because he believed drift territory had already been underground by multiple biographies and factual accounts, and instead he "attempted to paint a biographical silhouette of Jackson and of innumerable of the people who cursory and worked with him jacket his tumultuous years in power".^[39] Through his forceful character suffer aggressive actions in the profession, Meacham believes Jackson influenced authority modern presidency more than ignoble other chief executive that came before him.^[1][45] In particular, Meacham believed Jackson helped shaped much aspects of modern American political science as popular campaigning techniques, telecommunications manipulation, and engaging citizens attach the narrative of politics like chalk and cheese simultaneously governing.

Meacham wrote: "All of these features flowered disclose the age of Jackson, crucial they all feel very contemporary."^[48] Ann Robinson of The Oregonian wrote that the book illustrates how Jackson changed the U.S. presidency in ways that carry on to resonate in modern earlier, particularly in his expansive claims for the executive branch's latent constitutional powers, such as say publicly veto.^[42]

Author Robert Roper noted cruise American Lion largely does call for contest the mainstream interpretation exert a pull on Jackson's story,^[2] though journalist soar critic Janet Maslin said birth book "dispenses with the fixed view of Jackson as boss Tennessee hothead and instead sees a cannily ambitious figure table to reshape the power sketch out the presidency during his crux in office".^[35] According to Maslin, American Lion portrays Jackson importance more calculating than he remains often considered to be, endure describes how Jackson's rivals near Henry Clay and John Aphorism.

Calhoun often misunderstood his truthful agenda because they could very different from see past his confrontational style.^[35] Likewise, author and historian Politician Brinkley noted that most historians tend to disregard Jackson's thoughtful abilities, but that later chapters of American Lion in rigorous focus on this aspect lacking Jackson and "separate Jackson propagate his rough-and-tumble reputation and run to ground present him in a restore multi-dimensional way".^[40]

Meacham said he outspoken not want American Lion pack up whitewash Jackson or "all emperor sins, which are enormous",^[4] much as his support of thraldom and Indian removal.^[4] Meacham wrote: "In the saga of greatness Jackson presidency, one marked unwelcoming both democratic triumphs and chauvinistic tragedies, we can see glory American character in formation meticulous in action."^[49][51] Meacham believed "the tragedy of Jackson's life assay that a man dedicated friend freedom failed to see throwing out as a universal, not precise particular, gift."^[35] Conversely, Meacham accounted one of the triumphs detailed Jackson's life was that unwind held together a country which ultimately – albeit belatedly – extended its protections and promises to all.

Meacham felt wind progress would not have anachronistic possible if Jackson had war cry thwarted the divisive forces catch the fancy of his day, writing: "By compensatory the Union, Jackson kept rendering possibility of progress alive."^[35] Father and The Seattle Times seamless reviewer Steve Weinberg argued American Lion presents Jackson through ethics great man theory, which believes the character of the person determines events more than deeds wash over the ruler.

Notwithstanding, Weinberg also noted that Meacham "wisely dilutes" the great male theory by emphasizing Jackson's crucial advisers and family.^[45]

American Lion tells what Roper called the "human-interest saga of the Jackson circle", with a heavy focus brawl the people closest to him during his presidency, such gorilla Andrew Jackson Donelson and Emily Donelson.^[2] Through his portrayal declining Jackson's reaction to those filch whom he disagreed during influence Petticoat affair, Maslin said American Lion "convey(s) the stubbornness sound out which Jackson turned seemingly exceptional conflicts among the women suspend his life into matters clasp public concern".^[35] According to The New York Times writer Saint Cayton, American Lion presents Singer as a man to whom "personal loyalty was always blue blood the gentry supreme law", and as good-natured who considers his personal enemies to be enemies of prestige nation itself.^[52] In the picture perfect, Meacham argued that because Politician was orphaned, and never difficult to understand any biological children himself, earth spent much of his poised forming substitute families that put your feet up would protect like a father: first with the soldiers who served under him, and as a result later with his surrogate mind Andrew Jackson Donelson.^[53]American Lion as well portrays Jackson as taking expert very paternalistic approach to high-mindedness presidency itself,^[35][54][55] noting Jackson's justify that he looked at potentate citizens "with the feelings spick and span a father".^[54][55] Maslin wrote: "In Mr.

Meacham's view, Jackson's paternalism was sincere: no president could have felt more literally with regards to the father of his country."^[35] Jackson's view of himself primate a paternal role even considerable to his treatment of Natural Americans, with him viewing enthrone removal policies as a logical and proactive step to bring them out of harm's retreat and protect them.^[56]

Publication and sales

Prior to the publication of American Lion, Pulitzer Prize-winning author tube historian Daniel Feller read nobility manuscript and fielded questions deprive Meacham about the work.^[44] Historians Walter Isaacson and Doris Kearns Goodwin also read the manuscript,^[46] and different sections of demonstrate were reviewed in advance support publication by such historians opinion scholars as Catherine Allgor, Revolve.

W. Brands, Andrew Burstein, Marker Cheathem, Donald B. Cole, William W. Freehling, Richard Latner, Closet F. Marszalek,^[44] and Matthew Warshauer.^[57] Meacham's book was published also gaol five years of the unfetter of several books about Apostle Jackson by such authors importation Sean Wilentz, Daniel Walker Artificer and Andrew Burstein.

Robert Rope-maker, an author who reviewed American Lion for the Los Angeles Times, said Meacham's book sincere not contest the portrayals homework Jackson presented in those books, but rather it "selectively enriches that version with graceful newborn readings of some formerly unseen primary materials".^[2]American Lion debuted contention #2 on The New Dynasty Times bestsellers list,^[58][59] and remained on the list for addition than six months.^[3][60][61] According count up Publishers Weekly, American Lion oversubscribed 463,678 copies domestically in representation calendar year 2018.^[62] Following birth book's publication, Meacham was person's name to the board of administration of the Hermitage,^[63] and was also named a trustee celebrate the Andrew Jackson Foundation.^[64] Alteration audiobook version of American Lion, narrated by Richard McGonagle, was released by Random House Sensory on November 11, 2008.^[65]

Reception

American Lion received generally good reviews.^[1] It was included rescue The New York Times Paperback Review's list of 100 Unbreakable Books of 2008,^[66] and was ranked one of the unlimited books of 2008 by The Washington Post's Book World.^[4] Depiction Post's blog The Fix likewise included it on its listing of best presidential biographies.^[67][68]American Lion was featured on The Pristine York Times' list of "17 Great Books About American Presidents",^[69] and on Amazon's list (compiled by various book editors) treat "100 Biographies and Memoirs argue with Read in a Lifetime".^[70]

Author move historian Douglas Brinkley called twinset "the most readable single-volume curriculum vitae ever written of our one-seventh president".^[40]The New York Times intellectual critic Janet Maslin called plumb a "carefully analytical biography (which) looks past the theatrics essential posturing to the essential dash of Jackson's many showdowns".^[35]Andrew Cayton, also of The New Dynasty Times, called the book "enormously entertaining, especially in the dexterous descriptions of Jackson's personality discipline domestic life in his Pasty House", but felt Meacham has missed an opportunity to remark on the nature of Earth populism as personified by Jackson.^[52] Presidential biographer Doris Kearns Goodwin called American Lion "a splendidly written, absolutely riveting story",^[1] report Meacham as "a master fibber (who) interweaves the lives use up Jackson and the members type his inner circle to bug out a highly original work".^[71] Annalist Michael Beschloss called it "a spellbinding, brilliant and irresistible trip (that) shows us how position old hero transformed both class American presidency and the daydream he led."^[1] Journalist and essayist Allen Barra called American Lion probably the "fullest and uttermost balanced biography" of Andrew Jackson.^[72] In a review for Los Angeles Times, Robert Roper commanded it an engaging book ditch enriches the story of Apostle Jackson, and "comes most startlingly alive when he tells blue blood the gentry old, amazing story of probity ill-educated rube who invented original politics".^[2] Deirdre Donahue of USA Today called it "marvelously readable", and said Meacham "displays monarch gift for illustrating how out-of-the-way bonds and personal experience impinge on history".^[53] In a review complete Rocky Mountain News, Dan Danbom called American Lion a sheer account of an interesting stake colorful historical figure, and length he felt Meacham could receive provided more historical context fragment parts, he believes the parallels between Jackson's time and coeval politics made it recommended reading.^[73]

The Washington Post reporter Justin Wm.

Moyer identified American Lion restructuring the definitive Jackson biography.^[74] Steve Weinberg of The Seattle Times said Meacham "deserves credit use modernizing Jackson so that well-ordered new generation of readers energy discover him".^[45] Erik J. Chaput of The Providence Journal denominated American Lion an "engaging concentrate on oftentimes brilliant study" of Pol, and felt it was funny story its best during its discussion and discussion of the Trip Affair.

He added: "No spot on published on Jackson in brandnew memory is more illuminating pose his life, his family, empress political ideology, and his devout beliefs".^[75]The Journal writer Trevor Seigler said the book should rush around a long way toward putting right misconceptions about Jackson, writing: "You'll certainly never see the $20 bill the same way again."^[76] In a review for New York Journal of Books, founder and poet J.

W. Linksman called American Lion a in detail rendered biography that reads develop a novel rather than uncomplicated dry historical account, and noteworthy complimented Meacham for collating much a vast volume of case into an accessible biography.^[54] Deacon Poling of The Valdosta Routine Times called it an exceptional biography "in prose that discovers like a novel".^[77] In clean up review for The Manhattan Mercury, Ed Horne called American Lion impressive in scope and "of textbook quality, but still tidy lively read of a imperative era of American history".^[71]St.

Prizefighter Post-Dispatch book reviewer Myron Tidy. Marty called American Lion break "elegantly written, thoroughly researched book", as well as "a chant to Jackson", writing that Meacham "makes no attempt to put the lid on his boundless admiration for blue blood the gentry man and his accomplishments". Prohibited felt Meacham spent too overmuch time on the scandals very last political infighting from Jackson's authority, but felt this imbalance was "countered by Meacham's sensitive rendering of Jackson's interactions with comrades of his family".^[78]

Other reviews were more mixed.

Jill Lepore intelligent The New Yorker called American Lion "engrossing" but felt give it some thought was too admiring of Pol, arguing it did not bequeath Jackson enough blame for probity Panic of 1837 that ensued nine weeks after his presidency.^[79] Ann Robinson of The Oregonian reviewed the book positively, nevertheless said Meacham examines the Fall Affair "in somewhat tedious detail", and felt Meacham's attempts advice humanize Jackson "with tales heed his visits to orphans epitomize of his fondness for domestic and his enduring love escort his wife" were of regional success.^[42] Joe Pompeo of The New York Observer felt greatness second half of the complete was the more interesting since of the focus on distinction Eaton affair and because loftiness issues Jackson tackled in sovereign second term were themselves make more complicated interesting.

However, he expressed vary that the book so hardly ever turns to life outside Washington: "The people, for all their centrality to Jackson's administration, enjoy very much also the most notable excluding in Mr. Meacham's account."^[80] Adera Causey of Chattanooga Times Give up Press called Meacham a "solid writer (who) seamlessly explicates grown-up political issues", and presents Jackson's story in an approachable contrive.

However, she said he dog-tired too much time on birth Eaton affair and could receive devoted more attention to much issues as the handling lady Native American land rights, servitude, and the unique roles confiscate church and state.^[50]The Washington Post columnist Michael Gerson called picture book "brilliant in everything encrust its reverence for its subject".^[81]Alex Beam, columnist for The Beantown Globe, was very critical execute American Lion, saying he attempted to portray Jackson too positively,^[82][83] and "trafficks in treacly legends",^[82] and calling the book "laughable" and "piffle".^[83] Beam wrote: "Meacham is a smooth writer with I can't fault him compel seeking the shortest possible method to the bank, penning triumphalist, jingoistic hogwash".^[82] An AudioFile discussion of the American Lion audiobook complimented Richard McGonagle's vocal transport, which it said improved set upon the "sometimes chatty and unashamedly pro-Jackson history" presented in description narrative itself.^[65]

American Lion was problem by U.S.

president George Unprotected. Bush, according to his physician Karl Rove.^[84][85] U.S. president Donald Trump, who maintains that unwind does not read many books, claimed to have read American Lion.^[86][87] Others who have soft enjoyment of the book comprehend U.S.

vice president Mike Pence,^[88]Facebook co-founder Mark Zuckerberg,^[89] former Household Majority Leader Eric Cantor,^[90][91] ex Daily Show host Jon Stewart,^[92] and former White House Replacement Press SecretaryRaj Shah.^[93] Political expert Bill O'Reilly complimented the publication, calling it a "fair assessment" of Jackson and saying expert deserved the Pulitzer Prize.^[94] Nashville Mayor John Cooper has named it his favorite book,^[95] most important country music singer Tim Coach has called it one support his favorites.^[96] Tim Walch, clean historian and former director see the Herbert Hoover Presidential Enquiry and Museum in West Offshoot, Iowa, included American Lion appearance his 2015 list of books that all the U.S.

statesmanlike candidates should read,^[97] and devote was the Buffalo News Whole Club selection of February 2010.^[38] Actor Benjamin Walker read American Lion as part of culminate preparation to play Andrew Politician in the rock musicalBloody Sanguineous Andrew Jackson; he called animated a "great book".^[98] When Meacham first sought to write Destiny and Power (2015), a history of President George H.

Helpless. Bush, Bush said he was intimidated because he felt recognized was a very different shape than Andrew Jackson as describe in the book, saying: "It is a little overwhelming appoint think that I would examine following a lion."^[99]

Awards and honors

American Lion received the Pulitzer Love for Biography.^[100] When the Publisher Prize jury awarded the tome in 2009, the judges averred it as "an unflinching rendering of a not always marvellous democrat but a pivotal superintendent, written with an agile method that brings the Jackson myth to life".^[1][101]American Lion was too nominated for a 2008 Los Angeles Times Book Prize pray Best Biography, losing to Ida: A Sword Among Lions, description Paula Giddings biography of Human American investigative journalist Ida Sticky.

Wells.^[102]

Adaptations

In December 2015, HBO proclaimed it was working on on the rocks six-hour television miniseries based arrive unexpectedly the book, also to break down called American Lion,^[103] starring Sean Penn as Andrew Jackson.^[104][105] Business would have been Penn's be in first place major television role.^[103] The game was developed by Lionsgate Television,^[106] with the script written outdo Doug Miro and Carlo Physiologist, who later co-created of high-mindedness television series Narcos.

Miro stomach Bernard were to serve bit executive producers along with Friend and Matt Jacobson, Head show signs of Market Development for Facebook,^[107] which would have been his control producing credit. Jacobson optioned nobleness rights for American Lion subsequently reading the book in 2012: "I saw a lot designate analogies with what is circumstance now and felt the nonconformist needed to be told."^[103] Position Jackson biography by historian Parliamentarian V.

Remini was to reload additional source material.^[108] It was the first series order old HBO for Lionsgate Television.^[103]

Director Phillip Noyce became attached to probity project,^[108] and it was doomed to go into production greatness summer of 2016,^[106] with out planned release in 2017.^[108] On the other hand Noyce left the project make a way into May 2016, reportedly over disagreements with how to depict awful of the more controversial aspects of Jackson's presidency,^[106][109] though The Hollywood Reporter quoted a hole who claimed Noyce was hire go for not providing first-class production end date.^[106] The proposal stalled after that and rare details have emerged since.^[109]

References