Andrew Jackson by Robert V. Remini

#7.  Andrew Jackson, by far the coolest President I’ve read about so far.  Sure some would say he had a few issues politically and he clearly cared little for decorum, but those, plus his character, helped make Robert V. Remini’s booking exceedingly entertaining.   Seriously, it was cool.  Jackson is cool.  The book focused mostly on the subject’s battlefield accomplishments, which were by all accounts incredible.   It was bibliographical in that it did take the reader through all segments of Jackson’s life, but the greatest level of detail was dedicated to his feats as a war hero.   I really enjoyed it, which I credit Remini for as he seemed to give all the details that made the stories of the various battles entertaining without bogging me down with too much…after reading this book I wanted to see a movie, or 3, about Andrew Jackson.  

MR. Lynn Hudson Parson’s book about President #6, which I just posted about, had a great story of a victory party thrown by John Q.A., after the 1824 election, which was filled with well-wishers and hangers-on gleefully celebrating JQA’s upcoming Presidency.   One of the running jokes leading up to the party was ‘what would the uber war hero’s reaction be, considering that he had received more popular and electoral votes and then basically lost The Presidency due to some finagling by Adams and Clay.’   He hadn’t earned the nickname “Old Hickory” for being soft.   Well, of course, Andrew Jackson showed up at the party unexpectedly resulting in the ball room going quiet in a progression from entry to the very back where President elect, John Quincy Adams, was chatting it up as the victor that he was…facing away from the rest of the room, as the story goes, he became basically the last one to know who had walked in and was approaching him.   Wondering what was causing all the discontinuation of commotion he turned to see “Old Hickory” as the room went silent.   Andrew Jackson stood staring at him stone faced for a significant beat or two, before finally breaking into a smile and extending his hand.   Cinema worthy.  How cool was Andrew Jackson?   Put it this way, Thomas Magnum’s archenemy Ivan wouldn’t have walked away from Andrew Jackson. **

So yeah, I was definitely looking forward to reading about him, but I can say that this book served to increase my appreciation for Jackson as a movie hero like figure.  While it only gave a brief summary of Old Hickory’s political career I, of course, learned a lot reading this book as well.   To the bullet point format we go:

• Jackson is claimed by 3 states and 1 city in Northern Ireland.   Seriously. 
• Tennesseans claim him as a son of TN based on the fact that he called it home during his fighting career.
• South and North Carolina both claim he was born in their state due to the fact that Jackson’s mother spent time in both during the final days of her pregnancy and no one can definitively prove if the birth took place in his mother’s home or in his aunt’s.
• Carrickfergus, N. IRE has a Centre to honor him as a decedent due to his parents having grown up there.  (This I didn’t learn from the book, but rather from Ms. Wendy Davis who also hails from ‘Carrick’ as it is more commonly called)
• Wiped out America’s debt completely.   He may not be too impressed with us right now actually.
• Spain basically gave us Florida.  
• Jackson ran roughshod through the state devastating Indian tribes that threatened the U.S. allowing then President James Monroe to effectively state that Spain must cede the land to us or do something to prevent its inhabitants from being a threat to us.   This actually worked because no one wanted to mess with Jackson and his troops...well, and because the Spanish knew they really couldn't forcibly keep the land due to the fact that they had other more pressing problems in Europe at the time.  
• Jackson executed 2 British subjects who were aiding the Indian tribes he was fighting…this caused great controversy, but Jackson was not one to worry about such things.
• While a General he made a practice of allowing injured troops to ride his horse while he walked and stay in his tent while he slept outside.   He marched his Tennessee Volunteers relentlessly without complaint.
• He survived small pox.
• During the Revolutionary War young Andrew and his brother were captured.  Andrew was struck with a saber for refusing to shine the boots of his British captor.   He maintained a hatred of Brits for the rest of his life.
• My favorite picture of Jackson:  http://tinyurl.com/3fn3zcy

So, my favorite President so far…the original American Hero who goes outside the accepted law to do what the emotional masses want...a perfect segue to Martin Van Buren, right?

** http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T7vW1oEKP1k