by Jon Meacham As a new American president takes the stage,
reading a history of an American president some 180 years prior
is an enlightening joy. Watching Barack Obama utilize his
mandate from the 2008 election has been the perfect backdrop for
going back in time to learn how — in 1828 and during the eight
years of two terms Andrew Jackson showed many U.S. presidents
how the power of the presidency might be used to lead. A youth
during the War of Independence, a hero of the War of 1812 and a
renown Indian fighter, the man those close to him called “the
General” won the popular vote as well as the electoral vote in
two elections, and he never let it be forgotten by those who
disagreed with his reasoning. Meacham paints a thorough portrait
of Old Hickory — warts and all — yet his loving brush strokes
are obvious. Readers, too, will find much to admire in Andrew
Jackson, yet much for which to find fault with him as well, and
that’s to the historian Meacham’s credit: He lets Jackson be
human, not all good, not