James K. Polk was one of the strongest and most active presidents ever to occupy the office. In the nineteenth century only Jefferson, Jackson, and Lincoln matched his overall leadership and domination of national government. Bergeron's crisp, insightful narrative shows how and why Polk achieved such stature and yet failed to attract the kind of popular support or retrospective recognition granted other presidential luminaries. A native of North Carolina, Polk prepared for the presidency by honing his leadership skills as ...
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James K. Polk was one of the strongest and most active presidents ever to occupy the office. In the nineteenth century only Jefferson, Jackson, and Lincoln matched his overall leadership and domination of national government. Bergeron's crisp, insightful narrative shows how and why Polk achieved such stature and yet failed to attract the kind of popular support or retrospective recognition granted other presidential luminaries. A native of North Carolina, Polk prepared for the presidency by honing his leadership skills as a seven-term congressman, speaker of the house, and governor of Tennessee. Bergeron's summary and analysis of those years shed light on the foundations of the presidency that followed. He provides fresh new perspectives on Polk's relationship with his cabinet, his skirmishes with Congress over domestic economic legislation, and the curse of presidential patronage. But perhaps the most fascinating portions of this study are devoted to Polk's role as the western expansionist. By the end of his term, the United States had acquired enormous territories in the Southwest and far West. Bergeron demonstrates that Polk adroitly used both war and diplomacy to acquire and protect these lands. When the annexation of Texas led to the outbreak of war with Mexico, Polk was forced to become commander-in-chief of the American forces. In contrast, the potentially explosive dispute with Great Britain over Oregon's borders was settled through purely diplomatic means. Norman A. Graebner, in America's Top Ten Presidents, declares, "Polk's achievements in diplomacy were among the most remarkable in American history." Drawing upon a careful review of the extensive literature on our eleventh president, as well as Polk's personal diary, Bergeron has written a significant and balanced reassessment of the Polk presidency. In the process, he has also created a revealing portrait of a complex man who led the nation with imperial determination tempered with compassion, generosity, and even humor.
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Add this copy of The Presidency of James K. Polk to cart. $5.45, good condition, Sold by ThriftBooks-Atlanta rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Brownstown, MI, UNITED STATES, published 1987 by University Press of Kansas.
Add this copy of The Presidency of James K. Polk to cart. $5.45, fair condition, Sold by ThriftBooks-Atlanta rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Brownstown, MI, UNITED STATES, published 1987 by University Press of Kansas.
Add this copy of The Presidency of James K. Polk (American Presidency to cart. $5.47, good condition, Sold by Blue Vase Books rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Interlochen, MI, UNITED STATES, published 1987 by University Press of Kansas.
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Seller's Description:
The item shows wear from consistent use, but it remains in good condition and works perfectly. All pages and cover are intact (including the dust cover, if applicable). Spine may show signs of wear. Pages may include limited notes and highlighting. May NOT include discs, access code or other supplemental materials.
Add this copy of The Presidency of James K. Polk to cart. $5.47, good condition, Sold by ThriftBooks-Reno rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Reno, NV, UNITED STATES, published 1987 by University Press of Kansas.
Add this copy of The Presidency of James K. Polk (American Presidency to cart. $7.00, good condition, Sold by Persephone's Books rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Gastonia, NC, UNITED STATES, published 1987 by University Press of Kansas.
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Good in Good jacket. 1st Printing. 8vo-over 7¾-9¾" tall. pp. 310. xv, 310 pp. First printing. An ex-library copy with the expected markings. For all that, a tight, square, and clean copy.
Add this copy of The Presidency of James K. Polk (Easton Press)(Library to cart. $27.66, very good condition, Sold by Books From California rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Simi Valley, CA, UNITED STATES, published 1991 by Easton Press.
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Very good. Full leather cover with gilt decoration and raised bands, decorative endpapers, all edges gilt, satin-ribbon bookmark. A copy in near fine condition. Very Clean Copy-Over 500, 000 Internet Orders Filled.
Add this copy of The Presidency of James K. Polk to cart. $28.00, like new condition, Sold by T A Borden Books rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Olney, MD, UNITED STATES, published 1987 by University Press of Kansas.
Add this copy of The Presidency of James K. Polk (American Presidency to cart. $39.46, good condition, Sold by Bonita rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Newport Coast, CA, UNITED STATES, published 1987 by University Press of Kansas.
Add this copy of The Presidency of James K Polk to cart. $56.58, new condition, Sold by Websew Inc rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Avenel, NJ, UNITED STATES, published 1987 by University Press of Kansas.
Add this copy of The Presidency of James K. Polk (Library of the to cart. $56.66, very good condition, Sold by Wonder Book - Member ABAA/ILAB rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Frederick, MD, UNITED STATES.
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Very Good. Very Good condition. Library of the Presidents Collector's Notes laid in. Spine and front board faded. (James K. Polk, Presidents, Biography)