Synopses & Reviews
Robert Merry's brilliant and highly acclaimed history of a crucial epoch in U.S. history.andlt;BRandgt;andlt;BRandgt;In a one-term presidency, James K. Polk completed the story of Americaand#8217;s Manifest Destinyand#8212;extending its territory across the continent by threatening England with war and manufacturing a controversial and unpopular two-year war with Mexico.
Review
"A crucial architect of modern America, James K. Polk deserves to be elevated out of the mists of history. In this engaging book, Robert Merry does just that, recapturing the passions and personalities of a forgotten era in American life." -- Jon Meacham, author of American Lion: Andrew Jackson in the White House
Review
and#8220;Polk was our most underrated President. He made the United States into a continental nation. Bob Merry captures the controversial and the visionary aspects of his presidency in a colorful narrative tale populated by great characters such as Jackson, Clay, and Can Buren.and#8221; andlt;BRandgt; andlt;BRandgt;and#8211;Walter Isaacson, author of andlt;iandgt;Einstein: His Life and Universeandlt;/iandgt;
Review
"Bob Merry is a wonderful writer, lively and very clear-eyed, and he tells a fascinating chapter in American history. Long neglected, James K. Polk turns out to be a rich, memorable figure -- a war president whose will to conquest achieved the modern map of America." -- Evan Thomas, author of Sea of Thunder
Review
"In Polk's single four-year term, the United States added western lands from New Mexico through Washington State. Robert Merry skillfully draws a comprehensive portrait of Polk's extraordinary successes in a time of bitter politics and explains why this intense leader remains underappreciated." -- David O. Stewart, author of Impeached: The Trial of President Andrew Johnson and the Fight for Lincoln's Legacy
Review
andlt;divandgt;"Robert Merry's authoritative biography of James K. Polk. . . provides a compelling, perceptive portrait. . .
Review
and#8220;Filled with intricate stories of personal conflict, psychological gamesmanship, and unintended consequences. . . one of the most astute and informative historical accounts yet written about national politics, and especially Washington politics, during the decisive 1840s.and#8221;andlt;BRandgt; andlt;BRandgt;--andlt;iandgt;The New York Times Book Reviewandlt;/iandgt;
Review
and#8220;[Merry] brings a historian's perspective, a journalist's nose for the story and a novelist's eye to one of our country's most dramatic and defining moments. In strong, precise and elegant prose, Mr. Merry brings the key players of the day to life in terms of both personal characteristics and the causes they personified.and#8221;andlt;BRandgt; --andlt;iandgt;Washingtonianandlt;/iandgt;
Review
and#8220;Robert Merryand#8217;s authoritative biography of James K. Polk. . . provides a compelling, perceptive portrait. . . Merry joins his skill at portraiture to thorough scholarship and a shrewd grasp of human nature.and#8221; andlt;BRandgt; andlt;BRandgt;and#8211;andlt;iandgt;The Wall Street Journalandlt;/iandgt;
Synopsis
A highly acclaimed biography of a much neglected president, a gripping narrative that illuminates a crucial epoch in U.S. history.
Synopsis
Robert Merry's brilliant and highly acclaimed history of a crucial epoch in U.S. history.
In a one-term presidency, James K. Polk completed the story of America s Manifest Destiny extending its territory across the continent by threatening England with war and manufacturing a controversial and unpopular two-year war with Mexico."
Synopsis
A New York Times Bestseller and New York Times Notable Book Robert Merry's brilliant and highly acclaimed history of a crucial epoch in U.S. history--the presidency of James K. Polk, "our most underrated president" (Walter Isaacson, author of Einstein).
In a one-term presidency, James K. Polk completed the story of America's Manifest Destiny--extending its territory across the continent by threatening England with war and manufacturing a controversial and unpopular two-year war with Mexico. "A crucial architect of modern America, James K. Polk deserves to be elevated out of the mists of history" (Jon Meacham, author of American Lion).
Synopsis
President James K. Polk, often overlooked yet ever-consequential, comes to life in this "compelling, perceptive portrait" (The Wall Street Journal) biography of the 11th President of the United States, Andrew Jackson prot g , and champion of "manifest destiny." In a one-term presidency, James K. Polk completed the story of America's Manifest Destiny--extending its territory across the continent by threatening England with war and manufacturing a controversial and unpopular two-year war with Mexico. "A crucial architect of modern America, James K. Polk deserves to be elevated out of the mists of history" (Jon Meacham, author of American Lion).
Synopsis
ROBERT MERRY’S BRILLIANT AND HIGHLY ACCLAIMED HISTORY OF A CRUCIAL EPOCH IN U.S. HISTORY. In a one-term presidency, James K. Polk completed the story of America’s Manifest Destiny—extending its territory across the continent by threatening England with war and manufacturing a controversial and unpopular two-year war with Mexico.
About the Author
andlt;Bandgt;Robert Merry andlt;/Bandgt;is the editor of andlt;iandgt;The National Interestandlt;/iandgt;. He has been a Washington correspondent for andlt;i andgt;The Wall Street Journal andlt;/iandgt;and the executive editor of the andlt;iandgt;Congressional Quarterlyandlt;/iandgt;. He has written for andlt;iandgt;The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, The Weekly Standard, The National Reviewandlt;/iandgt;, andlt;iandgt;The American Spectator, andlt;/iandgt;and andlt;iandgt;The National Interest. andlt;/iandgt;He has appeared in andlt;iandgt;Meet the Press, Face the Nation, Newsmakersandlt;/iandgt;, and many other programs. He lives in McLean, Virginia.