Book
Polk : the man who transformed the presidency and America / Walter R. Borneman.
The first complete biography of a president often overshadowed in image but seldom outdone in accomplishment. James K. Polk's pledge to serve a single term, which many thought would make him a lame duck, enabled him to rise above electoral politics and to outflank his adversaries. Thus 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. In tracing Polk's life and career, author Borneman dispels conventional views of Polk as an accidental president. Instead, we see Polk as he was--a decisive, if not partisan, statesman whose near doubling of America's boundaries and expansive broadening of executive powers redefined the country at large, as well as the nature of its highest office.--From publisher description.
Record details
- ISBN: 9780812976748
- ISBN: 0812976746
- Physical Description: xxiii, 422 pages : illustrations, maps ; 21 cm
- Edition: 2009 Random House trade paperback edition.
- Publisher: New York : Random House Trade Paperbacks, 2009.
Content descriptions
| General Note: | Originally published: New York : Random House, 2008. |
| Bibliography, etc. Note: | Includes bibliographical references (pages 396-404) and index. |
| Formatted Contents Note: | I. The man -- Old Hickory's boy -- Carrying the water -- Tennessee and Old Tippecanoe -- The last defeat -- Hands off Texas -- A summons from Old Hickory -- Baltimore, 1844 -- "Who is James K. Polk?" -- II. The conquest -- Making good on Texas -- Standing firm on Oregon -- Eyeing California -- Mission to Mexico -- "American blood upon American soil" -- 54'40' compromise! -- To Santa Fe and beyond -- Mr. Polk's war -- Old Bullion's son-in-law -- A president on the spot -- Securing the spoils -- The Whigs find another General -- Homeward bound -- A Presidential assessment. |
Search for related items by subject
| Subject: | Polk, James K. (James Knox), 1795-1849. Presidents > United States > Biography. Politics and government United States > Politics and government > 1845-1849. |
| Genre: | History Nonfiction Biographies. |
Available copies
- 1 of 1 copy available at scottsboropl.
Holds
- 0 current holds with 1 total copy.
Show Only Available Copies
| Location | Call Number / Copy Notes | Barcode | Shelving Location | Status | Due Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| scottsboropl | 973.6 Bor | 32269001261687 | Adult - Nonfiction | Available | - |
Summary:
The first complete biography of a president often overshadowed in image but seldom outdone in accomplishment. James K. Polk's pledge to serve a single term, which many thought would make him a lame duck, enabled him to rise above electoral politics and to outflank his adversaries. Thus 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. In tracing Polk's life and career, author Borneman dispels conventional views of Polk as an accidental president. Instead, we see Polk as he was--a decisive, if not partisan, statesman whose near doubling of America's boundaries and expansive broadening of executive powers redefined the country at large, as well as the nature of its highest office.--From publisher description.
