Polk

The Man Who Transformed the Presidency and America

By: Walter R. Borneman

Narrated by: Alan Nebelthau

Length: 13 hrs and 13 mins

Publisher's summary

The Best American Presidents of All Time is a somewhat nebulous list. The methodology for choosing the best changes from one poll to the next, and the criteria varies with each historian's personal biases. But over the years, there has been a general top 10-12 most historians agree on: Lincoln, FDR, Washington, Jefferson, Teddy Roosevelt, Truman, Eisenhower, JFK, Wilson, Jackson, Reagan, and James K. Polk. That's right - James K. Polk.

This is a major political biography of a great American president who won a war, transformed the government, and doubled the size of the United States...in four years.

When Polk was sworn in as the 11th president, what followed was one of the most consequential presidencies in history. Against his opponents, he unabashedly proclaimed U.S. policy to be one of continental expansion. By the time he left office, Oregon, California, New Mexico, and Texas had been admitted into the Union, and Congress' mandate to wage war was forever rendered a rubber stamp by a transformed and empowered executive branch. True to his word, Polk stepped down after one term.

He remains relatively little known. In fact, no full-length modern biography of Polk has ever been written. Until now.

©2008 Walter Borneman (P)2008 Recorded Books, LLC

Very Interesting

I learned a lot concerning this president who is well regarded by historians but hardly known by the general public. His four -year term was highlighted by the Mexican War and American growth to the Pacific.

Great read!

Very well laid out book explaining how Andrew Jackson's chosen successor was very effective in office achieving all 4 of his campaign promises. Narrator does a great job.

Decent bio of a consequential POTUS

As someone who’s read or listened to over 2 dozen presidential biographies, I found this a perfectly respectable and workmanlike bio of a president worth knowing more about, considering his significant influence on US territory, on the power of the presidency and on our dubious history of land grabs and imperialism.

I was not crazy about the narrator, whose somewhat breathy voice required me to turn up the volume when road noise in the car increased.

Polk: One of our most important Preidents

President James Knox Polk, the man behind "Manifest Destiny" is finally being written about. Walter Borneman does a splendid job in putting down Polk's life story even though it does not have the military flash of a Jackson or a Grant. He does fill in the holes left by the only other Polk history to have come out in the last few years, James K. Polk: 1845-1849, as part of the American Presidents series. It was a very good general information book that was in need of a book like Polk: The Man Who Transformed the Presidency and America. Read this book. It will go a long way in filling in some of your blanks in American History.

An unknown President shines in this book!

Would you consider the audio edition of Polk to be better than the print version?

I enjoy the audio versions of most books. The only way this book in written form would have been better is if there were maps and pictures not included in the audio version.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Henry Clay was the most illumanitating person in the book. I had of course heard of him previously but at least according to this book, Henry Clay was the most hard-headed uncompromising man that ever lived.

We are lucky he never made it to the Presidency.

What about Alan Nebelthau’s performance did you like?

Mr. Nebelthau was succinct and precise in his reading. He rarely had to be in

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

No, it is a good listen but not all at one time.

Any additional comments?

Polk was not even running for President when he got the nomination. Now I know that Romney could lose the nomination if he doesn't get a clear majority. Santorum or someone else could become the nominee...

Read this if you know nothing about Polk

I have spent most of my time reading about the founding, the Founders, etc and recently ventured out of that category. Saw this title and figured why not learn about a period through the biography of a president I am not familiar with. This period is eye opening both because it completes our expansion but also sets the stage for the worst period in US History.

The US during Polk’s presidency should have been the title.

I was disappointed in the lack of personal information. This book gave lots of details and factual numbers about governmental facts and figures. I was hoping for more personal information on President Polk. 

Under the radar, over the top!

When one thinks of the great presidents, Polk is usually not one of the names that floats to the surface. I believe, if more people understood what he did, and how his actions changed our country, he would be included as one of the most effective presidents that ever served. He is certainly one of the most tenacious in effecting his goals, and then leaving office after having done so in one term, despite the entreaties he received from his peers at the time to seek a second term. I think that we will never see such a straight forward president again, as the electorate would not tolerate it now. Vacillation being the preferred tendencies in today's candidates and elected officials. This book reads more like a novel, as the cast of characters is vast, and it encompasses such and eventful time in our young country's history. If you love history you should enjoy this book. Not a barn burner, but a good solid listen that will leave you well informed. The narration is good as is the writing. I recommend it.

He increased the size of USA by 38 %

The woke crowd will hate this president. Nonetheless his story is critical in understanding America’s expansion into California, the Oregon Territory, annexation of Texas, and the Mexican American war. It is a story that doesn’t get much play.

Very well written

Nice coverage of Polk’s election, his presidency, a thorough but not protracted coverage of the annexation of Texas and Oregon, and the Mexican-American war.