Polk: The Man Who Transformed the Presidency and America

Polk: The Man Who Transformed the Presidency and America
ISBN-10
158836772X
ISBN-13
9781588367723
Series
Polk
Category
Biography & Autobiography
Pages
468
Language
English
Published
2009-04-14
Publisher
Random House
Author
Walter R. Borneman

Description

In Polk, Walter R. Borneman gives us the first complete and authoritative biography of a president often overshadowed in image but seldom outdone in accomplishment. James K. Polk occupied the White House for only four years, from 1845 to 1849, but he plotted and attained a formidable agenda: He fought for and won tariff reductions, reestablished an independent Treasury, and, most notably, brought Texas into the Union, bluffed Great Britain out of the lion’s share of Oregon, and wrested California and much of the Southwest from Mexico. On reflection, these successes seem even more impressive, given the contentious political environment of the time. In this unprecedented, long-overdue warts-and-all look at Polk’s life and career, we have a portrait of an expansionist president and decisive statesman who redefined the country he led, and we are reminded anew of the true meaning of presidential accomplishment and resolve.

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