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Charles Grier Sellers (1923–2021)

Författare till The Market Revolution: Jacksonian America, 1815-1846

14+ verk 555 medlemmar 5 recensioner

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Verk av Charles Grier Sellers

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For more reviews and bookish posts visit: https://www.ManofLaBook.com

James K. Polk, Vol. 2: Continentalist, 1843-1846 by Charles Grier Sellers is the first volume in a proposed trilogy studying the 11th President of the United States. Mr. Sellers is a historian, a Southern liberal specializing in antebellum America.

The first book, Jacksonian, was a bit dry and ended right before Mr. Polk became President. I felt that James Polk, actually, played a secondary character in his own biography. I was looking forward to read the second volume assuming it would be more interesting, and less dry than the first.

It seems that the author had a change of heart about his subject, which might explain why the “trilogy” only consists of two books. The introduction of James K. Polk, Vol. 2: Continentalist, 1843-1846 by Charles Grier Sellers judges Polk as a person, and as a President. Yes, he achieved all his goals, but how did these goals benefit the United States, and what was Polk’s role in achieving them?

Polk, it seems, was a master manipulator, an ambitious man who rose from political limbo to the highest office in the land. In the process, the author describes the steps that went into forming his government in great detail. I felt this section of the book was overly written and, frankly, quite boring.

Mr. Sellers shines, however, when he covers the war with Mexico, and the Oregon issues. While he stops a step shy of flat-out saying Polk provoked the war, he does write about the fact that Polk was painting the Mexicans into a financial corner with no-way out. Polk’s hunger for land, and hatred of Mexicans also played a role in the decisions.

There is very little about Polk’s family and his life outside politics. His personal life is mentioned in the context of his administration to explain motives. While the work seems to be mostly academic, I appreciated the author attempt to liven it up with a few one-liners and metaphors which made me chuckle several times.

Then the book just… ends!!

These two volumes certainly made me appreciate President Polk much more. His presidency was complex, and Mr. Sellers does not worship his subject like other biographers. He’s not afraid o criticize Polk, as well as praise he when deserved.
… (mer)
 
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ZoharLaor | 1 annan recension | Apr 28, 2023 |
For more reviews and bookish posts visit: https://www.ManOfLaBook.com

James K. Polk, Vol. 1: Jacksonian, 1795-1843 by Charles Grier Sellers is the first volume in a proposed trilogy studying the 11th President of the United States. Mr. Sellers is a historian, a Southern liberal specializing in antebellum America.

This book tells of the rise of James K. Polk in Tennessee and the national, political scene due to his wits and connections with President Andrew Jackson. Much of the book talks about Polk, Jackson, and others opposing banks and paper money.

In much of James K. Polk, Vol. 1 by Charles Grier Sellers, the titled man takes a back seat to the huge figure of Jackson. The author tells of the rise of Andrew Jackson and an analysis of the political debates which were the hot topics of the time.

Polk himself takes a backseat and often isn’t even mentioned for many pages. However, once he becomes Speaker of the House, Polk returns to the forefront of his own biography.

Much of the book examines why Jackson, Polk, and their supporters opposed banks and paper money. While the narrative could be dry at times, the research and analysis are solid and I managed to understand their views very well. To be honest, I liked Polk: The Man Who Transformed the Presidency and America by Walter R. Borneman much better.

But this book doesn’t even reach Polk’s presidency. The majority focuses on local politics, Van Buren’s New York politics, and of course the politics of the state of Tennessee. While some of it is interesting, it slows down the book tremendously. The ending is supposedly a cliffhanger, where James K. Polk finds himself ousted after losing, again, the governor’s office, and hoping to gain the vice president’s office.
We, however, know what’s coming.
… (mer)
 
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ZoharLaor | 1 annan recension | Mar 31, 2023 |
If you are looking for a good resource for the Jacksonian American period, you might want to check out Charles Sellers' book, The Market Revolution: Jacksonian America, 1815-1846.

I had to have this book for an online class and used it quite extensively. The material is full though not overwhelming. I found it gave me most of what I needed for the class though there were a few topics that seemed to be missing or not covered enough for my needs. In that aspect, the book is not all encompassing for the period, but it does give you a good look into it.

The organization of the book flowed well aside from the formatting of the sections. There was very little white paper scene. After awhile, my eyes would cross wondering when I'd find a break in the section.

This is a book that is used as a textbook meaning that it is a little dry. I was pleased to find it not as dry as many of the textbooks I have to read, but the formatting of it made it worse, I think.

It covers the political climate, the religious climate, the economic climate, and more. This is a must have for your American history book collection. It doesn't have everything, but it has enough to get you started and compliment any other book you have.

Note: This book was part of an online class with no expectation of a review of any kind.
… (mer)
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RebeccaGraf | Jan 7, 2013 |
2016 James K. Polk: Continentalist 1843-1846, by Charles Sellers (read 20 Jul 1986) This is the second volume of Sellers' masterful biography of James K. Polk. This covers the period from Aug 1843 to Aug 1846. It is an extremely fascinating story and time. Polk received no votes on the first seven ballots at Baltimore, but on the 8th ballot, New Hampshire (the second state called--they called states in geographical order) gave all its six votes to Polk. He won on the ninth ballot. This book is just fascinating in its detail. The Mexican War really seems indefensible by any standard, the U.S. clearly being in the wrong and Polk eager for war. But how glad I can't help but be that all that vast area is a part of the U.S. This biography is excellent. I hope I can get the third volume. [Years later I determined the third volume was never written, or at least never published.]… (mer)
½
 
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Schmerguls | 1 annan recension | Aug 8, 2008 |

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Verk
14
Även av
3
Medlemmar
555
Popularitet
#44,976
Betyg
½ 3.6
Recensioner
5
ISBN
34
Språk
2

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