The reader is given no real sense of the timeline of Jacksons life, the impact that he had upon a broader America, or the actual changes and politics of his time. The chronology is confusing and chapters are spent on days and weeks while entire decades are summed up in a few paragraphs or pages.
The writing style is captivating and well polished but so infatuated with the subject that the reader gets lost - what I suspect would be a trademark of Meacham as he is not trained as a historian but rather in English. American Lion takes everything wrong with armchair history as if to serve as a textbook example of what not to do. While I give this book a "three", really borderline "four" this book is worth the read Jackson's place on the currency is well earned. The book well highlights Jackson's obvious and positive role in crafting a powerful presidency one that, in short, led the country. In addition, the chaotic management of his White House family rivals that of the current British royals.
His mad crusade against the Bank of the United States was a large part of the cause of the Panic of 1837.
Andrew Jackson had no curiosity or interest. While those who know me know that I am far from an unquestioning progressive, even in his era the dehumanization of downtrodden groups was already an issue. Some of the black marks are well-known his blind, unquestioning approval of Negro slavery and his mistreatment of Native Americans. Andrew Jackson was a flawed man and an imperfect president. Why only three stars? It was on the border of being a hagiography. The book offers a broad panorama of heroes and knaves for much of the early period of American history. If I didn't I would have put it down before finishing. On balance I liked the book and do recommend reading it.
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