{"product_id":"american-lion-andrew-jackson-hc","title":"American Lion (Andrew Jackson)  HC","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003e\u003cb\u003eAmerican Lion: Andrew Jackson in the White House\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eis a\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/2008_in_literature\" title=\"2008 in literature\"\u003e2008\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003ebiography of\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Andrew_Jackson\" title=\"Andrew Jackson\"\u003eAndrew Jackson\u003c\/a\u003e, the\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/List_of_Presidents_of_the_United_States\" class=\"mw-redirect\" title=\"List of Presidents of the United States\"\u003eseventh\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/President_of_the_United_States\" title=\"President of the United States\"\u003ePresident of the United States\u003c\/a\u003e, written by\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Jon_Meacham\" title=\"Jon Meacham\"\u003eJon Meacham\u003c\/a\u003e. It won the 2009\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Pulitzer_Prize_for_Biography_or_Autobiography\" class=\"mw-redirect\" title=\"Pulitzer Prize for Biography or Autobiography\"\u003ePulitzer Prize for Biography\u003c\/a\u003e, with the prize jury describing it as \"an unflinching portrait of a not always admirable democrat but a pivotal president, written with an agile prose that brings the Jackson saga to life\".\u003csup id=\"cite_ref-Chattanooga_1-0\" class=\"reference\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/American_Lion_(book)#cite_note-Chattanooga-1\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\"\u003e[\u003c\/span\u003e1\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\"\u003e]\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/sup\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMeacham wrote\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ci\u003eAmerican Lion\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003edrawing in part on previously unavailable documents, including letters, diaries, memorabilia, and accounts from Jackson's intimate circle that had been largely privately owned for 175 years. Much of the correspondence was found in archives at\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/The_Hermitage_(Nashville,_Tennessee)\" title=\"The Hermitage (Nashville, Tennessee)\"\u003ethe Hermitage\u003c\/a\u003e, Jackson's estate in\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Nashville,_Tennessee\" title=\"Nashville, Tennessee\"\u003eNashville\u003c\/a\u003e,\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Tennessee\" title=\"Tennessee\"\u003eTennessee\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ci\u003eAmerican Lion\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eis not a full-scale account of Jackson's entire life or political career, but rather focuses on his\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Presidency_of_Andrew_Jackson\" title=\"Presidency of Andrew Jackson\"\u003epresidency\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eand his domestic arrangements in the\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/White_House\" title=\"White House\"\u003eWhite House\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003eAmerican Lion\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003efocuses a great deal on the\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Bank_War\" title=\"Bank War\"\u003eBank War\u003c\/a\u003e, the federal tariff on imports, and the\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Petticoat_affair\" title=\"Petticoat affair\"\u003ePetticoat affair\u003c\/a\u003e, during which Meacham claimed \"the future of the American presidency was at stake\".\u003csup id=\"cite_ref-Roper1214_2-0\" class=\"reference\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/American_Lion_(book)#cite_note-Roper1214-2\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\"\u003e[\u003c\/span\u003e2\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\"\u003e]\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/sup\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eMeacham believed Jackson represented the best and worst of American character, citing his simultaneous capacity for kindness and cruelty. Of all the early U.S. presidents and\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Founding_Fathers_of_the_United_States\" title=\"Founding Fathers of the United States\"\u003eFounding Fathers\u003c\/a\u003e, Meacham believed Jackson was \"the most like us\",\u003csup id=\"cite_ref-Leopold1216_3-0\" class=\"reference\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/American_Lion_(book)#cite_note-Leopold1216-3\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\"\u003e[\u003c\/span\u003e3\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\"\u003e]\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/sup\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eand had the strongest influence on the modern presidency. In writing\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ci\u003eAmerican Lion\u003c\/i\u003e, Meacham said he sought not to whitewash Jackson or \"all his sins, which are enormous\",\u003csup id=\"cite_ref-WPost1216_4-0\" class=\"reference\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/American_Lion_(book)#cite_note-WPost1216-4\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\"\u003e[\u003c\/span\u003e4\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\"\u003e]\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/sup\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003esuch as his support of\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Slavery_in_the_United_States\" title=\"Slavery in the United States\"\u003eslavery\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eand\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Indian_removal\" title=\"Indian removal\"\u003eIndian removal\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"mw-heading mw-heading2\"\u003e\n\u003ch2 id=\"Synopsis\"\u003eSynopsis\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv role=\"note\" class=\"hatnote navigation-not-searchable\"\u003eSee also:\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Andrew_Jackson\" title=\"Andrew Jackson\"\u003eAndrew Jackson\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eand\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Presidency_of_Andrew_Jackson\" title=\"Presidency of Andrew Jackson\"\u003ePresidency of Andrew Jackson\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cfigure class=\"mw-default-size mw-halign-right\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/File:Rachel_Donelson_Jackson_by_Ralph_E._W._Earl1823.jpg\" class=\"mw-file-description\"\u003e\u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/upload.wikimedia.org\/wikipedia\/commons\/thumb\/f\/f9\/Rachel_Donelson_Jackson_by_Ralph_E._W._Earl1823.jpg\/250px-Rachel_Donelson_Jackson_by_Ralph_E._W._Earl1823.jpg\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"250\" height=\"309\" class=\"mw-file-element\" srcset=\"\/\/upload.wikimedia.org\/wikipedia\/commons\/thumb\/f\/f9\/Rachel_Donelson_Jackson_by_Ralph_E._W._Earl1823.jpg\/500px-Rachel_Donelson_Jackson_by_Ralph_E._W._Earl1823.jpg 1.5x\" data-file-width=\"700\" data-file-height=\"864\"\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003cfigcaption\u003eEarly chapters of\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ci\u003eAmerican Lion\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003etouch upon the viciousness of\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/1828_United_States_presidential_election\" title=\"1828 United States presidential election\"\u003e1828 presidential election\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eand death of\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Rachel_Jackson\" title=\"Rachel Jackson\"\u003eRachel Jackson\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ci\u003e(pictured)\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eimmediately afterward.\u003c\/figcaption\u003e\n\u003c\/figure\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003eAmerican Lion\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eopens just after\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Andrew_Jackson\" title=\"Andrew Jackson\"\u003eAndrew Jackson\u003c\/a\u003e's victory in the\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/1828_United_States_presidential_election\" title=\"1828 United States presidential election\"\u003e1828 United States presidential election\u003c\/a\u003e. Author\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Jon_Meacham\" title=\"Jon Meacham\"\u003eJon Meacham\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003ewrites about the viciousness of the election and the death of\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Rachel_Jackson\" title=\"Rachel Jackson\"\u003eRachel Jackson\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eimmediately afterward, which Jackson blames on his attacks by his political enemies during the campaign. The book then touches upon Jackson's early life, including his birth in the\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Waxhaws\" title=\"Waxhaws\"\u003eWaxhaws\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eregion of the Carolinas and his family life. It briefly covers his marriage to Rachel, legal career, move to\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Nashville,_Tennessee\" title=\"Nashville, Tennessee\"\u003eNashville\u003c\/a\u003e,\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Tennessee\" title=\"Tennessee\"\u003eTennessee\u003c\/a\u003e, and his military career, particularly his role in the\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Battle_of_New_Orleans\" title=\"Battle of New Orleans\"\u003eBattle of New Orleans\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eand the part it played in elevating his reputation.\u003csup id=\"cite_ref-FOOTNOTEMeacham20084–31_5-0\" class=\"reference\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/American_Lion_(book)#cite_note-FOOTNOTEMeacham20084%E2%80%9331-5\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\"\u003e[\u003c\/span\u003e5\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\"\u003e]\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/sup\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eThe book then segues into the beginning of his political career, his rivalries with\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Henry_Clay\" title=\"Henry Clay\"\u003eHenry Clay\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eand\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/John_C._Calhoun\" title=\"John C. Calhoun\"\u003eJohn C. Calhoun\u003c\/a\u003e, and his loss in the\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/1824_United_States_presidential_election\" title=\"1824 United States presidential election\"\u003e1824 presidential election\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003edespite winning the popular vote, which Jackson regarded as a \"\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Corrupt_bargain\" title=\"Corrupt bargain\"\u003ecorrupt bargain\u003c\/a\u003e\" by his political enemies.\u003csup id=\"cite_ref-6\" class=\"reference\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/American_Lion_(book)#cite_note-6\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\"\u003e[\u003c\/span\u003e6\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\"\u003e]\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/sup\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eReturning to Jackson's presidency, Meacham defines\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Patronage\" title=\"Patronage\"\u003epatronage\u003c\/a\u003e, the\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Bank_War\" title=\"Bank War\"\u003eBank War\u003c\/a\u003e, the\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Nullification_crisis\" title=\"Nullification crisis\"\u003enullification crisis\u003c\/a\u003e,\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Indian_removal\" title=\"Indian removal\"\u003eIndian removal\u003c\/a\u003e, clerical influence in politics, internal improvements, and respect abroad as the questions that would define Jackson's\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/White_House\" title=\"White House\"\u003eWhite House\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eyears.\u003csup id=\"cite_ref-7\" class=\"reference\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/American_Lion_(book)#cite_note-7\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\"\u003e[\u003c\/span\u003e7\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\"\u003e]\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/sup\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eMeacham wrote that, to many in established Washington, Jackson's arrival \"signaled the destruction of the rule of the nation in an atmosphere of geniality and gentility\".\u003csup id=\"cite_ref-Meacham52_8-0\" class=\"reference\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/American_Lion_(book)#cite_note-Meacham52-8\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\"\u003e[\u003c\/span\u003e8\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\"\u003e]\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/sup\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eBy contrast, Meacham wrote that Jackson felt the country was \"suffering from a crisis of corruption (in) the marshaling of power and influence by a few institutions and interests that sought to profit at the expense of the whole\".\u003csup id=\"cite_ref-Meacham52_8-1\" class=\"reference\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/American_Lion_(book)#cite_note-Meacham52-8\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\"\u003e[\u003c\/span\u003e8\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\"\u003e]\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/sup\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eAccording to the book, Jackson felt the President should \"use his powers with a firm hand\", whereas his foes thought of\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/United_States_Congress\" title=\"United States Congress\"\u003eCongress\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eas the government's center of gravity.\u003csup id=\"cite_ref-9\" class=\"reference\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/American_Lion_(book)#cite_note-9\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\"\u003e[\u003c\/span\u003e9\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\"\u003e]\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/sup\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eMeacham wrote that Jackson's most enduring conviction was that, as President, he was acting selflessly in the interest of the nation and of its mass of citizens, and that his own will was the same as the will of the country.\u003csup id=\"cite_ref-10\" class=\"reference\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/American_Lion_(book)#cite_note-10\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\"\u003e[\u003c\/span\u003e10\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\"\u003e]\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/sup\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eMeacham wrote: \"No institution, he argued, should stand between the people and the presidency. ... No president had spoken in such a way before.\"\u003csup id=\"cite_ref-11\" class=\"reference\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/American_Lion_(book)#cite_note-11\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\"\u003e[\u003c\/span\u003e11\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\"\u003e]\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/sup\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cfigure class=\"mw-default-size mw-halign-right\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/File:Nicholas_Biddle_by_William_Inman.jpg\" class=\"mw-file-description\"\u003e\u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/upload.wikimedia.org\/wikipedia\/commons\/thumb\/2\/2d\/Nicholas_Biddle_by_William_Inman.jpg\/250px-Nicholas_Biddle_by_William_Inman.jpg\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"250\" height=\"329\" class=\"mw-file-element\" srcset=\"\/\/upload.wikimedia.org\/wikipedia\/commons\/2\/2d\/Nicholas_Biddle_by_William_Inman.jpg 1.5x\" data-file-width=\"289\" data-file-height=\"380\"\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003cfigcaption\u003eAndrew Jackson's\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Bank_War\" title=\"Bank War\"\u003econflict\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003ewith the\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Second_Bank_of_the_United_States\" title=\"Second Bank of the United States\"\u003eSecond Bank of the United States\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eand its president\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Nicholas_Biddle\" title=\"Nicholas Biddle\"\u003eNicholas Biddle\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ci\u003e(pictured)\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eis one of the focal points of\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ci\u003eAmerican Lion\u003c\/i\u003e.\u003c\/figcaption\u003e\n\u003c\/figure\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMeacham focuses a great deal on Jackson's determination to end the\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Second_Bank_of_the_United_States\" title=\"Second Bank of the United States\"\u003eSecond Bank of the United States\u003c\/a\u003e, which was presided over by\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Nicholas_Biddle\" title=\"Nicholas Biddle\"\u003eNicholas Biddle\u003c\/a\u003e, and which Jackson believed had been manipulated by Clay to assist with\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/John_Quincy_Adams\" title=\"John Quincy Adams\"\u003eJohn Quincy Adams\u003c\/a\u003e's election to the presidency in 1824.\u003csup id=\"cite_ref-12\" class=\"reference\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/American_Lion_(book)#cite_note-12\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\"\u003e[\u003c\/span\u003e12\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\"\u003e]\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/sup\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eJackson regarded the bank as a fundamentally corrupt institution and \"the embodiment of unfair privilege\".\u003csup id=\"cite_ref-13\" class=\"reference\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/American_Lion_(book)#cite_note-13\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\"\u003e[\u003c\/span\u003e13\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\"\u003e]\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/sup\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eThe book highlights Biddle's challenge to Jackson in pressing for recharter and his attempt to use the influence of the Bank to harm his reelection.\u003csup id=\"cite_ref-14\" class=\"reference\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/American_Lion_(book)#cite_note-14\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\"\u003e[\u003c\/span\u003e14\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\"\u003e]\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/sup\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eIt covers Jackson's\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Veto\" title=\"Veto\"\u003eveto\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eof the charter,\u003csup id=\"cite_ref-15\" class=\"reference\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/American_Lion_(book)#cite_note-15\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\"\u003e[\u003c\/span\u003e15\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\"\u003e]\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/sup\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eattempts by Biddle and Clay to see the veto overridden,\u003csup id=\"cite_ref-16\" class=\"reference\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/American_Lion_(book)#cite_note-16\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\"\u003e[\u003c\/span\u003e16\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\"\u003e]\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/sup\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eand ultimately the decision by the\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/United_States_House_of_Representatives\" title=\"United States House of Representatives\"\u003eUnited States House of Representatives\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003ein 1834 not to override the veto, ensuring the Bank would not be rechartered.\u003csup id=\"cite_ref-17\" class=\"reference\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/American_Lion_(book)#cite_note-17\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\"\u003e[\u003c\/span\u003e17\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\"\u003e]\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/sup\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe book also discusses Jackson's role in the removal of\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Native_Americans_in_the_United_States\" title=\"Native Americans in the United States\"\u003eNative Americans\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eto lands west of the\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Mississippi_River\" title=\"Mississippi River\"\u003eMississippi River\u003c\/a\u003e. Meacham wrote: \"Jackson believed in removal with all his heart, and by refusing to entertain any other scenario, he was as ferocious in inflicting harm on\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ci\u003ea\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003epeople as he often was in defending the rights of those he thought of as\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ci\u003ethe\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003epeople.\"\u003csup id=\"cite_ref-18\" class=\"reference\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/American_Lion_(book)#cite_note-18\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\"\u003e[\u003c\/span\u003e18\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\"\u003e]\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/sup\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eAs the book recounts, Jackson was not compelled by treaties signed and assurances previously provided to Native Americans; he did not believe that they had title to the land, and he would not tolerate what he felt were competing sovereignties within the nation.\u003csup id=\"cite_ref-19\" class=\"reference\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/American_Lion_(book)#cite_note-19\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\"\u003e[\u003c\/span\u003e19\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\"\u003e]\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/sup\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eIt details Jackson's support for the successful passage of the\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Indian_Removal_Act\" title=\"Indian Removal Act\"\u003eIndian Removal Act\u003c\/a\u003e, which would ultimately lead to the\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Trail_of_Tears\" title=\"Trail of Tears\"\u003eTrail of Tears\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003csup id=\"cite_ref-20\" class=\"reference\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/American_Lion_(book)#cite_note-20\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\"\u003e[\u003c\/span\u003e20\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\"\u003e]\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/sup\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003eAmerican Lion\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003ealso highlights Jackson's feelings on what he called the \"absurd and wicked doctrines of nullification and secession\",\u003csup id=\"cite_ref-21\" class=\"reference\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/American_Lion_(book)#cite_note-21\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\"\u003e[\u003c\/span\u003e21\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\"\u003e]\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/sup\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eand his confrontation with the state of\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/South_Carolina\" title=\"South Carolina\"\u003eSouth Carolina\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eregarding the issue of nullification after the state declared the\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Tariff_of_Abominations\" title=\"Tariff of Abominations\"\u003eTariffs of 1828\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eand\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Tariff_of_1832\" title=\"Tariff of 1832\"\u003e1832\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eunconstitutional and therefore void within the state's boundaries.\u003csup id=\"cite_ref-22\" class=\"reference\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/American_Lion_(book)#cite_note-22\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\"\u003e[\u003c\/span\u003e22\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\"\u003e]\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/sup\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eMeacham described the nullification crisis as \"perhaps the most delicate mission of his life – how to preserve the Union without appearing so tyrannical and power-hungry that other Southern states might join with South Carolina, precipitating an even graver crisis that could lead to the secession of several states.\"\u003csup id=\"cite_ref-23\" class=\"reference\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/American_Lion_(book)#cite_note-23\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\"\u003e[\u003c\/span\u003e23\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\"\u003e]\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/sup\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eThe book covers Jackson's support of the\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Force_Bill\" title=\"Force Bill\"\u003eForce Bill\u003c\/a\u003e, which authorized the President to use military forces against South Carolina if necessary,\u003csup id=\"cite_ref-24\" class=\"reference\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/American_Lion_(book)#cite_note-24\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\"\u003e[\u003c\/span\u003e24\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\"\u003e]\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/sup\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eas well as the\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Tariff_of_1833\" title=\"Tariff of 1833\"\u003eCompromise Tariff of 1833\u003c\/a\u003e, which ultimately ended the crisis.\u003csup id=\"cite_ref-25\" class=\"reference\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/American_Lion_(book)#cite_note-25\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\"\u003e[\u003c\/span\u003e25\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\"\u003e]\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/sup\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFinally, the book focuses on\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Emily_Donelson\" title=\"Emily Donelson\"\u003eEmily Donelson\u003c\/a\u003e's role as White House hostess and de facto\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/First_Lady_of_the_United_States\" title=\"First Lady of the United States\"\u003eFirst Lady of the United States\u003c\/a\u003e. Meacham wrote: \"Family life was crucial to Jackson, who had known so little of it growing up, and Emily ensured that the White House was a sanctuary for him.\"\u003csup id=\"cite_ref-26\" class=\"reference\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/American_Lion_(book)#cite_note-26\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\"\u003e[\u003c\/span\u003e26\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\"\u003e]\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/sup\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eThe book also discusses the\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Petticoat_affair\" title=\"Petticoat affair\"\u003ePetticoat affair\u003c\/a\u003e, during which Jackson's\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/United_States_Secretary_of_War\" title=\"United States Secretary of War\"\u003eSecretary of War\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/John_Eaton_(politician)\" title=\"John Eaton (politician)\"\u003eJohn Eaton\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003ewas socially ostracized due to his wife\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Peggy_Eaton\" title=\"Peggy Eaton\"\u003ePeggy Eaton\u003c\/a\u003e's perceived moral failings and lack of sexual virtue. The scandal generated considerable chaos and controversy during Jackson's administration,\u003csup id=\"cite_ref-27\" class=\"reference\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/American_Lion_(book)#cite_note-27\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\"\u003e[\u003c\/span\u003e27\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\"\u003e]\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/sup\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eduring which Jackson felt, according to Meacham, that \"to acknowledge the Eatons was to side with Jackson; to snub the Eatons was to oppose Jackson\".\u003csup id=\"cite_ref-28\" class=\"reference\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/American_Lion_(book)#cite_note-28\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\"\u003e[\u003c\/span\u003e28\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\"\u003e]\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/sup\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eMeacham wrote that Jackson's interpretation of the Petticoat affair was that he was \"acting for the common democratic good\", while aristocratic elites were acting against him out of jealousy of his power in Washington.\u003csup id=\"cite_ref-29\" class=\"reference\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/American_Lion_(book)#cite_note-29\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\"\u003e[\u003c\/span\u003e29\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\"\u003e]\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/sup\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eThe book highlights how\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Martin_Van_Buren\" title=\"Martin Van Buren\"\u003eMartin Van Buren\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eendeared himself to Jackson by siding with him during the scandal,\u003csup id=\"cite_ref-30\" class=\"reference\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/American_Lion_(book)#cite_note-30\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\"\u003e[\u003c\/span\u003e30\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\"\u003e]\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/sup\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eand how the Petticoat affair led to resignations from Jackson's cabinet that sparked \"a national debate over Jackson's first three years of leadership and whether he should have another term\".\u003csup id=\"cite_ref-31\" class=\"reference\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/American_Lion_(book)#cite_note-31\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\"\u003e[\u003c\/span\u003e31\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\"\u003e]\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/sup\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFollowing the conclusion of Jackson's two terms,\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ci\u003eAmerican Lion\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eends with a brief synopsis of his post-presidential life,\u003csup id=\"cite_ref-Meacham340345_32-0\" class=\"reference\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/American_Lion_(book)#cite_note-Meacham340345-32\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\"\u003e[\u003c\/span\u003e32\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\"\u003e]\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/sup\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eincluding Emily Donelson's death,\u003csup id=\"cite_ref-33\" class=\"reference\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/American_Lion_(book)#cite_note-33\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\"\u003e[\u003c\/span\u003e33\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\"\u003e]\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/sup\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eand Jackson's own death in 1845.\u003csup id=\"cite_ref-Meacham340345_32-1\" class=\"reference\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/American_Lion_(book)#cite_note-Meacham340345-32\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\"\u003e[\u003c\/span\u003e32\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\"\u003e]\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/sup\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Friends of the Mill Valley Library","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":51630694760679,"sku":null,"price":4.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0730\/3397\/3991\/files\/41Cfdm8y7kL.webp?v=1765486523","url":"https:\/\/friendsmvl.org\/products\/american-lion-andrew-jackson-hc","provider":"Friends of the Mill Valley Library","version":"1.0","type":"link"}