Martin Van Buren

The American Presidents Series: The 8th President, 1837-1841

Nonfiction, History, Americas, United States, 19th Century, Biography & Memoir, Political
Cover of the book Martin Van Buren by Ted Widmer, Arthur M. Schlesinger Jr., Henry Holt and Co.
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Ted Widmer, Arthur M. Schlesinger Jr. ISBN: 9781466832718
Publisher: Henry Holt and Co. Publication: January 5, 2005
Imprint: Times Books Language: English
Author: Ted Widmer, Arthur M. Schlesinger Jr.
ISBN: 9781466832718
Publisher: Henry Holt and Co.
Publication: January 5, 2005
Imprint: Times Books
Language: English

The first president born after America's independence ushers in a new era of no-holds-barred democracy

The first "professional politician" to become president, the slick and dandyish Martin Van Buren was to all appearances the opposite of his predecessor, the rugged general and Democratic champion Andrew Jackson. Van Buren, a native Dutch speaker, was America's first ethnic president as well as the first New Yorker to hold the office, at a time when Manhattan was bursting with new arrivals. A sharp and adroit political operator, he established himself as a powerhouse in New York, becoming a U.S. senator, secretary of state, and vice president under Jackson, whose election he managed. His ascendancy to the Oval Office was virtually a foregone conclusion.

Once he had the reins of power, however, Van Buren found the road quite a bit rougher. His attempts to find a middle ground on the most pressing issues of his day-such as the growing regional conflict over slavery-eroded his effectiveness. But it was his inability to prevent the great banking panic of 1837, and the ensuing depression, that all but ensured his fall from grace and made him the third president to be denied a second term. His many years of outfoxing his opponents finally caught up with him.

Ted Widmer, a veteran of the Clinton White House, vividly brings to life the chaos and contention that plagued Van Buren's presidency-and ultimately offered an early lesson in the power of democracy.

" … Widmer (Young America) paints a brief but elegant portrait of our eighth president, who, Widmer says, created the modern political party system, for which he deserves our 'grudging respect.' " - Publishers Weekly

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

The first president born after America's independence ushers in a new era of no-holds-barred democracy

The first "professional politician" to become president, the slick and dandyish Martin Van Buren was to all appearances the opposite of his predecessor, the rugged general and Democratic champion Andrew Jackson. Van Buren, a native Dutch speaker, was America's first ethnic president as well as the first New Yorker to hold the office, at a time when Manhattan was bursting with new arrivals. A sharp and adroit political operator, he established himself as a powerhouse in New York, becoming a U.S. senator, secretary of state, and vice president under Jackson, whose election he managed. His ascendancy to the Oval Office was virtually a foregone conclusion.

Once he had the reins of power, however, Van Buren found the road quite a bit rougher. His attempts to find a middle ground on the most pressing issues of his day-such as the growing regional conflict over slavery-eroded his effectiveness. But it was his inability to prevent the great banking panic of 1837, and the ensuing depression, that all but ensured his fall from grace and made him the third president to be denied a second term. His many years of outfoxing his opponents finally caught up with him.

Ted Widmer, a veteran of the Clinton White House, vividly brings to life the chaos and contention that plagued Van Buren's presidency-and ultimately offered an early lesson in the power of democracy.

" … Widmer (Young America) paints a brief but elegant portrait of our eighth president, who, Widmer says, created the modern political party system, for which he deserves our 'grudging respect.' " - Publishers Weekly

More books from Henry Holt and Co.

Cover of the book The Complete Book of Wills, Estates & Trusts by Ted Widmer, Arthur M. Schlesinger Jr.
Cover of the book By These Ten Bones by Ted Widmer, Arthur M. Schlesinger Jr.
Cover of the book Head Case by Ted Widmer, Arthur M. Schlesinger Jr.
Cover of the book Onward to Victory by Ted Widmer, Arthur M. Schlesinger Jr.
Cover of the book The Corner Office by Ted Widmer, Arthur M. Schlesinger Jr.
Cover of the book Gorillas Up Close by Ted Widmer, Arthur M. Schlesinger Jr.
Cover of the book Fall Ball by Ted Widmer, Arthur M. Schlesinger Jr.
Cover of the book Smile When You're Lying by Ted Widmer, Arthur M. Schlesinger Jr.
Cover of the book The Winterhouse Mysteries by Ted Widmer, Arthur M. Schlesinger Jr.
Cover of the book My Life as a Book by Ted Widmer, Arthur M. Schlesinger Jr.
Cover of the book Fault Line by Ted Widmer, Arthur M. Schlesinger Jr.
Cover of the book The Story Seeker by Ted Widmer, Arthur M. Schlesinger Jr.
Cover of the book Vow of Thieves by Ted Widmer, Arthur M. Schlesinger Jr.
Cover of the book Blue Latitudes by Ted Widmer, Arthur M. Schlesinger Jr.
Cover of the book Driving by Starlight by Ted Widmer, Arthur M. Schlesinger Jr.
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy