Rating: 
Summary: OK, but not great
Review: This book is an acceptable introduction to Jackson, though it is very short, and skims over mnay topics in a superficial way, but this is, after all, a "Reader's Digest" version book.
That said, having read "Theodore Rex" by Morris, "Truman" by McCullough, "John Adams" by McCullough, and "Alexandar Hamilton" by Chernow,and "Founding Brothers" by Ellis, this book was somewhat of a letdown. Remini is an adequete writer, but certainly not at the level of the aforementioned authors. The book has sort of a "high school book report" feel to it, with short, simple sentences and sometimes dumb and hackneyed similies, cliches, etc. But, if you don't care to plumb the depths of the man by reading the 3 volume set, or the older Jackson bios from the early 1900s, this is a pretty good alternative. The period of history he occupied is not as interesting as the Founding Father's generation, and reading this book will render you more knowledgable about AJ than 99% of the US population.
Rating: 
Summary: Jackson Bio - Concise but interesting
Review: "Andrew Jackson" is a brief (just over 200 pages) but entertaining look at the 7th President of the US. Robert Remini looks at what made Jackson a great President and greater politician focusing on selected issues, such as his fight with the Bank of the United States.The one drawback is Remini being such a partisan in favor of Jackson. Granted, the brevity of this book precludes from going into depth on many issues, but anything that puts a dim light on "the Hero", as Remini calls him, is mentioned in a sentence and left by the wayside. For a quick read, this book is worthwhile, but for a more in-depth treatment of Jackson, read the "Age of Jackson" by Schlesinger or Remini's own excellent 3 volume Jackson bio.
Rating: 
Summary: A First-Class Jackson Primer
Review: Author Robert Remini's 3-volume biography of Andrew Jackson is acknowledged to be one of the best. However, for someone - like me - for whom Jackson has long been an object of fascination but, regretfully, not someone that I was taught about in school or have had time to research on my own, I found the slender book detailed here the perfect introduction to "Sharp Knife" (the Indian nickname for Jackson.) Mr. Remini hits the high points (Jackson's origins, his role in the Revolutionary War, his courtship/marriage to Rachel Robards, his role in Indian affairs and the battle of New Orleans, as well as his two terms as President) in an efficient, informal manner. Stylistically, the book's contents are a broad brush-stroke, designed to provide a "jumping-off point" for the reader who is little-or-unacquainted with Jackson. Once you complete this book, if you still don't feel up to the challenge of the 3-volume work, I recommend the one-volume abridgement of same, entitled "The Life Of Andrew Jackson" (ISBN No. 0060937351), which gives even more detail and background than this "introductory" Jackson biography. By the time you read both of these, you'll be well ready to jump feet-first into Mr. Remini's classic multi-volume masterpiece and further indulge what will surely have become an even greater fascination with the Hero of New Orleans.
Rating:
Summary: A First-Class Jackson Primer
Review: Author Robert Remini's 3-volume biography of Andrew Jackson is acknowledged to be one of the best. However, for someone - like me - for whom Jackson has long been an object of fascination but, regretfully, not someone that I was taught about in school or have had time to research on my own, I found the slender book detailed here the perfect introduction to "Sharp Knife" (the Indian nickname for Jackson.) Mr. Remini hits the high points (Jackson's origins, his role in the Revolutionary War, his courtship/marriage to Rachel Robards, his role in Indian affairs and the battle of New Orleans, as well as his two terms as President) in an efficient, informal manner. Stylistically, the book's contents are a broad brush-stroke, designed to provide a "jumping-off point" for the reader who is little-or-unacquainted with Jackson. Once you complete this book, if you still don't feel up to the challenge of the 3-volume work, I recommend the one-volume abridgement of same, entitled "The Life Of Andrew Jackson" (ISBN No. 0060937351), which gives even more detail and background than this "introductory" Jackson biography. By the time you read both of these, you'll be well ready to jump feet-first into Mr. Remini's classic multi-volume masterpiece and further indulge what will surely have become an even greater fascination with the Hero of New Orleans.
Rating:
Summary: A Glowing Portrait
Review: From the beginning, it is obvious that Remini is fascinated by Jackson. Every description of Jackson fawns over his political acumen, his skills, his bravery, etc. And, as mentioned in another review, as soon as Jackson wins the Battle of New Orleans, "the Hero" becomes a synonym for "Jackson" for the rest of the book. Setting aside how brightly the portrait of Jackson glows, Remini's biography is an excellent introduction to the man and the age he ushered in. From the tales (some of which are duly noted as apocryphal) of his youth to his battles with Congress and foreign powers and, of course, the showdown with South Carolina over tariffs during the Nullification Crisis, Remini manages to hit an ideal balance between surface details and analysis for a popular biography. And while Remini does act the apologist at times, he does little to sugarcoat some of Jackson's more unsavory ideas and traits. All in all, a solid, quick introduction to life of Jackson.
Rating:
Summary: A Glowing Portrait
Review: From the beginning, it is obvious that Remini is fascinated by Jackson. Every description of Jackson fawns over his political acumen, his skills, his bravery, etc. And, as mentioned in another review, as soon as Jackson wins the Battle of New Orleans, "the Hero" becomes a synonym for "Jackson" for the rest of the book. Setting aside how brightly the portrait of Jackson glows, Remini's biography is an excellent introduction to the man and the age he ushered in. From the tales (some of which are duly noted as apocryphal) of his youth to his battles with Congress and foreign powers and, of course, the showdown with South Carolina over tariffs during the Nullification Crisis, Remini manages to hit an ideal balance between surface details and analysis for a popular biography. And while Remini does act the apologist at times, he does little to sugarcoat some of Jackson's more unsavory ideas and traits. All in all, a solid, quick introduction to life of Jackson.
Rating:
Summary: Definitive yet concise!
Review: Professor Remini's book, Andrew Jackson, is a well written and interesting biography of one of our greatest presidents. This well written, smooth reading book reads as if it were a novel. It draws on the main points of Jackson's life and times, and does it concisely. It is just over 200 pages therefore it should not scare off the casual reader, whith overwhelming size. Check out Remnini's other Jacksonian books because he is the eminent Jacksonian historian.
Rating:
Summary: A Concise Biography
Review: This book concentrates on Jackson's skill as a politician and his building of the presidential office. It touches on the significant events of his life. Andrew's father died before he was born. He and his older brothers fought in the Revolution; his older brothers died. Andrew's mother died while caring for prisoners (cholera). The orphan lived with an uncle, tried teaching school, then studied law and was admitted to the bar. When a friend became Judge, Andrew was appointed Prosecutor. Legal fees let him become a large landowner. He met Rachel, the youngest daughter of the Donelsons, one of the most important families in the territory. When Tennessee became a state in 1796, Jackson was elected to Congress, then the Senate. Jackson was appointed Major-General when the War of 1812 began, and was sent to New Orleans. Jackson did not want the help of the local pirates, but the leading businessmen pleaded for their inclusion (experienced artillery). Jackson accepted the support of free men of color. The Battle of New Orleans was an overwhelming victory for America! The excellent marksmanship of American soldiers ("a well-regulated militia"), and Jackson's luck, helped. Jackson showed his high-handed ways by arresting a Federal judge for issuing a writ of habeas corpus to free a local legislator who wrote a newspaper article! Jackson was appointed Governor of newly acquired Florida. He was incensed by the attempts of the rich and powerful to trample on the rights of the poor and weak (p.89). His policies proved practical and worthwhile; his popularity and political connections made him a likely presidential candidate. But popularity meant little to those who controlled the government. Jackson's well-organized, well-financed, and well-directed campaign was revolutionary. A Central Committee corresponded with other committees around the country, a cadre of Congressmen caucused on strategy. Jackson took positions to straddle the differences among his supporters. This group became the Democratic party, and had rallies, parades, barbecues, dinners. His election was considered the end of government by the large landowners and commercial aristocracy! The Eaton affair caused problems. Jackson was the first strong executive acting to benefit all the people. The two big problems were the Tariff and Nullification. They were ended by the Compromise Tariff. Jackson then toured the country to popular applause. He was the first President to use the veto for political reasons. Jackson rallied the people for their support, appealed to the public interest. His biggest achievement was the destruction of the Second Bank of the United States, which centralized political and economic power under private control, and was an unregulated monopoly with special privileges. This Bank was resented by state bankers, freeholding farmers, urban wage earners, lawyers, small planters, merchants, and manufacturers. Jackson vetoed its charter renewal. "There are no necessary evils in government. Its evils exist only in its abuses." The Anti-Masonic Party, the first third party in American history, opposed both Jackson and Henry Clay. Jackson won through party organization. He shuffled his Cabinet, then ordered future government deposits to selected state banks. The Bank curtailed loans and created an economic panic. Some Democrats with National Republicans and others formed the Whig Party. Jackson believed he represented the people against aristocracy and privilege. This doctrine of equality was followed by a wide assortment of reform groups: public education, abolishing debtor's prisons, women's rights, care for the poor, world peace, temperance, improved prisons and insane asylums, and the abolition of slavery. If he did not agree with them, Jackson set these forces into motion by his examples (the first Liberal Democrat?). Jackson was the first to suffer an assassination attempt (a lone gunman). He made Roger Taney Chief Justice (who upheld the right of popular legislators to regulate corporations and property rights). This struck down monopolies and aided the rapid development of industry. Jackson eliminated the national debt through tariffs and land sales. To prevent buying public lands with any kind of paper money, the Specie Circular was passed. The collapse of this speculative bubble was followed by a depression. The Treasury surplus was solved by "depositing" excess funds to state governments (the first tax rebate?). Jackson's Farewell Address warned against the increasing danger of sectionalism, an that eternal vigilance by the people is the price of liberty.
Rating:
Summary: Short but informative
Review: This book is relatively short but, Remini does a great job of capturing the essence of Jackson. He was a figure who changed the course of the presedency, wielding greater executive power than did his predesessors and making participation in national affairs more accessable to the general populous. Andrew Jackson was a mass of contradictions. He was against centralized power in institutions such as the Second Bank of America, yet hed did much to consolidate power into the presidency. He was at times vulgar, engaging in several duels and, as a general. sometimes meting out harsh discipline yet, he had a courtly, dignified demeanor. As a general, Jackson was a brutal Indian fighter and as president, he was not much better. He wanted to resettle Indians on land that would be forever theirs but, he often forced these resettlements abruptly, killing thousands in deadly forced marches. History lovers who want to get a taste for "Jacksonian Democracy" will enjoy this book.
Rating:
Summary: Short but informative
Review: This book is relatively short but, Remini does a great job of capturing the essence of Jackson. He was a figure who changed the course of the presedency, wielding greater executive power than did his predesessors and making participation in national affairs more accessable to the general populous. Andrew Jackson was a mass of contradictions. He was against centralized power in institutions such as the Second Bank of America, yet hed did much to consolidate power into the presidency. He was at times vulgar, engaging in several duels and, as a general. sometimes meting out harsh discipline yet, he had a courtly, dignified demeanor. As a general, Jackson was a brutal Indian fighter and as president, he was not much better. He wanted to resettle Indians on land that would be forever theirs but, he often forced these resettlements abruptly, killing thousands in deadly forced marches. History lovers who want to get a taste for "Jacksonian Democracy" will enjoy this book.
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