Review of Andrew Jackson, A Captivating Guide to the Man Who Served as the Seventh President of the United States

Andrew Jackson remains one of the most controversial figures in American History. He defended the nation with amazing military victories over the British and Creek Indians and also represented an expanded democracy while at the same time he promoted and instigated Indian removal and the institution of slavery. His likeness may no longer dominate the $20 bill, but his impact on the nation is unparalleled and he is the only American to have an historical age named after him, the Jacksonian Era. Portraying Jackson as a man of contradictions is Andrew Jackson, A Captivating Guide to the Man who Served as the Seventh President of the United States.

Captivating History is a recent new initiative aimed at providing short, concise history lessons geared for the general public. Matt Clayton created this series and writes the books in an effort to present historical figures and events without boring the reader with mere facts. With an audio version at just over two hours (book has under 100 pages), this work manages to cover Jackson’s life from his modest beginnings to his death and includes details on his difficult childhood, self-made education and establishment, military exploits against the Creeks and British, his two terms of president and his death. While capturing the essence of Jackson, the book repeats the well-known aspects of his life such as losing his parents at an early age, his violent encounter with a British officer during the Revolution, his love affair with Rachel Robards, gaining his “Old Hickory” nickname, his Indian removal policy and war against the national bank while serving as president. 

There is nothing spectacular or new in this brief version of relating Jackson’s story.  But, “Captivating History” does do a good job of concisely capturing Jackson the man and what he represented. Listeners should be aware of a few factual errors as well as some interesting mispronunciations, but anyone needing a quick summary of this man’s life will be well satisfied.

CPW