Robert W. Merry is the author of five previous books, including President McKinley: Architect of the American Century and A Country of Vast Designs: James K. Polk, the Mexican War and the Conquest of the American Continent. He spent a decade covering Washington for The Wall Street Journal and served as an executive at Congressional Quarterly Inc. for twenty-two years, including twelve years as CEO. He also is the former editor of The National Interest and The American Conservative. He lives with his wife, Susan, in Langley, Washington, and Washington, DC.
"[Merry] brings a historian's perspective, a journalist's nose for
the story and a novelist's eye to one of our country's most
dramatic and defining moments. In strong, precise and elegant
prose, Mr. Merry brings the key players of the day to life in terms
of both personal characteristics and the causes they
personified."
--Washingtonian
"Filled with intricate stories of personal conflict, psychological
gamesmanship, and unintended consequences. . . one of the most
astute and informative historical accounts yet written about
national politics, and especially Washington politics, during the
decisive 1840s." --The New York Times Book Review
"Polk was our most underrated President. He made the United States
into a continental nation. Bob Merry captures the controversial and
the visionary aspects of his presidency in a colorful narrative
tale populated by great characters such as Jackson, Clay, and Can
Buren." -Walter Isaacson, author of Einstein: His Life and
Universe
"Robert Merry's authoritative biography of James K. Polk. . .
provides a compelling, perceptive portrait. . . Merry joins his
skill at portraiture to thorough scholarship and a shrewd grasp of
human nature." -The Wall Street Journal
Merry (publisher, Congressional Quarterly; Sands of Empire) presents his view of James Knox Polk's presidency, describing how Polk turned his vice presidential ambitions into presidential ambitions as the first "dark horse" candidate, and then was able to accomplish his four major objectives: tariffs for revenue only, an independent federal treasury, no national debt, and expansion of the nation's boundaries to the Pacific. Drawing on Polk's correspondence, secondary sources, and records of Congressional debates, Merry focuses on the politics behind the events, showing how Polk was a master of political strategy and tactics. Merry also considers Polk's negative traits-drabness, lack of leadership qualities, tendency to micromanage-and how these led to dissension within his own party and at times jeopardized his program. VERDICT This well-written book complements Walter Borneman's Polk: The Man Who Transformed the Presidency and America by providing a detailed look into the Washington politics of the 1840s, making it a good starting point for general readers and undergraduates desiring to understand that era.-Stephen H. Peters, Northern Michigan Univ. Lib., Marquette Copyright 2009 Reed Business Information.
"[Merry] brings a historian's perspective, a journalist's nose for
the story and a novelist's eye to one of our country's most
dramatic and defining moments. In strong, precise and elegant
prose, Mr. Merry brings the key players of the day to life in terms
of both personal characteristics and the causes they
personified."
--Washingtonian
"Filled with intricate stories of personal conflict, psychological
gamesmanship, and unintended consequences. . . one of the most
astute and informative historical accounts yet written about
national politics, and especially Washington politics, during the
decisive 1840s."
--The New York Times Book Review
"Polk was our most underrated President. He made the United States
into a continental nation. Bob Merry captures the controversial and
the visionary aspects of his presidency in a colorful narrative
tale populated by great characters such as Jackson, Clay, and Can
Buren."
-Walter Isaacson, author of Einstein: His Life and
Universe
"Robert Merry's authoritative biography of James K. Polk. . .
provides a compelling, perceptive portrait. . . Merry joins his
skill at portraiture to thorough scholarship and a shrewd grasp of
human nature."
-The Wall Street Journal
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