Martin Van Buren

By: Captivating History

Narrated by: Duke Holm

Length: 2 hrs and 1 min

Publisher's Summary

Explore the captivating life of Martin Van Buren  

History chiefly remembers Martin Van Buren as the eighth president of the United States (1837– 1841). He was also, however, notable for achieving many firsts in American politics. He was the first American president to be born a citizen of the country, and not a British subject. He was the first Dutchman and the first man without Anglo-Saxon ancestry to serve as president. He was the first and only American president to have been raised in a language other than English. He was also the first New Yorker to ascend to the Oval Office in the White House, at a time when Manhattan was becoming the urban heart of a future America (as it is today). Historians have also recognized him as the first "professional politician" to occupy the presidential seat. His expressed capacity for political intrigue, strategic pragmatism, and politically expedient “non-committalism” has earned him his fair share of critics and detractors.  

The darkness of his times (the first depression, the question of slavery, the forceful relocation of Native American tribes from their ancestral lands) easily come to mind, but America was also hurtling towards the future we live in during Van Buren’s reign. The seeds of the modernity we recognize so well - railway networks, democracy, the printing press - were sowed in his era. 

Six small townships and cities - in Maine, Kentucky, Indiana, Missouri, Ohio, and Arkansas - still bear his surname. To understand the history of American politics, one must understand Van Buren’s often overlooked legacy. This audiobook will give you an in-depth understanding of this man, born a tavern owner's son, who became one of the founders of the Democratic Party. Get this audiobook now to learn more about Martin Van Buren!

©2018 Captivating History (P)2018 Captivating History

Presidential biography

I really enjoy presidential biographies and so overall enjoyed this book. However the narrator pronounced many words wrong and that drove me crazy and is why the performance score is so low. It is a nice summary of the life of an interesting president if you can get pas the pronunciation since the narrator has an otherwise pleasing voice.

Van Buren was boring

Good job telling a story about a boring president, Reader did the best job possible

fascinating

there is so much in this book, I took no8the first time around and will definitely listen to it again.

Short

Much too Short and "skimming". I think this could very well be done better with more in-depth discussion into his life and presidency. Thank you for producing a Teaser introduction into the life of Martin Van Buren.

You will learn a lot

Martin Van Buren, the 8th President, was the first President hailing from New York and the first President of non-English descent. This book briefly covers his life; early years, his rise to political fame, his Presidency and his retirement.

Thanks to the Author

I am trying to read all the books by this author they are pretty good so far even though i don't like Van buren as a president to much the book was well written.

You will love it

I knew nothing about Van Buren and found this an interesting read. He may well be the father of modern presidential politics.

Excellent book

The credentials of the author first drew me to this book. He did not disappoint in any respect. A must for any serious collection on our 8th President.

A detailed guide

This very well-written book gives detailed information about the impact of Van Buren's impact as a politician and as a President. Most of this was new information to me.

amazing book

I was expecting a larger biography, but was very surprised to find great detail on him. The book was very informative and in very good condition.

What a Book

This is a good glimpse of Martin Van Buren. If you are a serious student of history, you will need additional material to round out your research. It is recommended as a quick book.

Important History

This book led to an important advance in the spreading of democracy in the U.S. Of course, as with all changes, these changes did not come without costs. But the country is, for the most part, better because of Van Buren's party leadership.

Good President

The most important part of this book is the discussion about how Martin Van Buren pretty much created the two-party system in the U.S. The idea that an organization and its policy positions should take precedence over any particular individual was an important change in American politics.

Happy With It

very interesting, glad to listen to it.... many things he really doesn’t get credit for.

Good One

This book is a good one for the regular listener, one who does not normally read non-fiction or biographies. I did not find it too dense and it flowed nicely.

Lovely

Nicely written look at a lesser known president. Interesting to see him as a real person and to better understand the times of his term and his politics. A good book.

Good Audible Book

It was a good audible book with some interesting observations, albeit not as comprehensive as some of the other presidential biographies out there.

Nice and Concise

Nice, concise rendering of one of America's forgotten presidents. Am working my way through bios of all presidents and this book put into perspective the continuity of events posts Jackson. A good man placed in an untenable position.

Great Author

The author is a noted historian and writer who did a fine job with a not too interesting subject. He went on to help President Clinton write his autobiography and perhaps will help Hilary Clinton write her life story at the Department of State.

Martin Van Buren

Martin Van Buren, unlike most of his predecessors, was a man of means early on in life. That is not to say he didn't have difficult times, but he was able to look ahead and plan a path that laid a foundation of future success. His years following his Presidency were uneventful as he almost disappeared from prominence.