Martin Van Buren

A Captivating Guide to the Man Who Served as the Eighth President of the United States

By: Captivating History

Narrated by: Duke Holm

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

Martin Van Buren was more….

President Van Buren was apparently more than a one term President. Americans often admire a President whom goes to and leads the Country in winning wars. But America often thinks little about Presidents whom keep the Country out of a War. Van Buren did so twice in just four years. This is a short read (listen). But it says a lot about the man and the history of our Nation during his time.

What 5.00 gets you

Summary. A few interesting facts. Narrator seemed to mispronounce several words. Wish for better options.

Luckily Found It

Not enough books on Martin Van Buren, especially in audio format. He is such a fascinating President!

I Was Ultimately Disappointed

At only two hours, it was the longest biography at the time I got it, so points for trying. But the author did not dig into any contexts as to why the world and times around this president were there way they were. He rarely used in-text citations of personal correspondence of either the protagonist or antagonists, nor did the author give any useful insight into the President's "lengthy autobiography." My greatest critique is the text reads much like a B paper written by a student, notwithstanding what the author personally injects as to what he believes the "Democratic Party embodies today."

Points to the narrator, whose voice was clear, even through earplugs under my motorcycle helmet. It is often a struggle for me to hear deeper voices when I'm on the highway, so I appreciated that.

Thankful for a Van Buren book

Thankful for a Van Buren book. Good read for all levels of knowledge. Highly encourage others to read.