- Paperback: 432 pages
- Publisher: Bantam; Reprint edition (Feb 2 1998)
- Language: English
- ISBN-10: 0553379356
- ISBN-13: 978-0553379358
- Product Dimensions: 15.6 x 3 x 23.3 cm
- Shipping Weight: 472 g
- Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars See all reviews (18 customer reviews)
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Product Details |
Product Description
From Publishers Weekly
Adultery, murder, conspiracy and land fraud are the scandals laid at the feet of Andrew Jackson in 1828 as he runs for president against John Quincy Adams. Byrd's second historical novel (after Jefferson) presents the adult life of Old Hickory as seen through the astute eyes of a young and hungry writer, David Chase, who is commissioned by an anti-Jackson partisan to write a book that will expose the candidate's stained personal, professional and political life. Eventually, a clear picture emerges of the man who would become the seventh president: coarse, hot-tempered, politically radical, a brawler, a war hero, a devoted husband and a very sharp politician. Slogging through the muck of political skullduggery and the barnyard intrigues of early Washington, D.C., Chase learns the truth of Jackson's rumored adultery, his famous and bloody duels and his involvement with Aaron Burr's wild plot to establish an empire. Finally, Chase falls under the spell of this charismatic man, and so is faced with any journalist's greatest dilemma. Young America comes alive here through a cast of famous players including Jackson, his confidant John Coffee, Burr, Henry Clay, Sam Houston, John C. Calhoun and others. Deftly balancing fact and fiction, Byrd invests his tale with color, emotion and grand historical drama.
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.
From Library Journal
This work is a well-written biography within a fairly well-written novel. The novel segment opens in 1828 as Andrew Jackson is making his second run for the presidency. David Chase has been commissioned by a William Short to write a "true" biography of Old Hickory. Many biographies have been written of Andy Jackson, and all are flattering. This is not what the John Q. Adams people want, however. Chase is supposed to tell about all the men Jackson has murdered in duels and how he stole his wife, Rachel, away from her husband and lived in sin with her for two and a half years. Chase was to report on Jackson's rages, how others ridiculed his bad grammar and spelling, and how his minions rewrite all his speeches, letters, and memos. But as Chase researches and writes about Jackson, a flawed hero emerges. It comes down to whether the aristocracy of New England and Virginia will continue to rule the new country or yield to a man of the common folk. This book is for everyone, whether student of history or not, for its wonderful insights into the people and times of our infant republic.?Dawn Anderson, North Richland Hills P.L., Tex.
Copyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.
Copyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.
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Most helpful customer reviews
4.0 out of 5 stars
Postulates the Under Currents Used to Elect Jackson,
By
This review is from: Jackson: A Novel (Paperback)
As with several of his books, Max Byrd uses the interesting technique of using the writing of fictional characters to tell true stories of heroes of the past. This book is set in 1827-1828 as Andrew Jackson is running for President against John Quincy Adams. David Chase in this book serves a similar role as Nicolas Trist in the book "Grant" where a writer returns from abroad and is given the job of writing about the central character. In this book Chase's employer is hoping for a hatchet job on Andrew to prevent the "uncultured" forces of the West from gaining access to the White House. Similar to "Grant" there's also a smattering of romance among the fictional characters to keep the story spicey. Byrd is a well-educated man and it is easily reflected in his work. One doesn't have to know Latin but there is more than one example where it would help..."Veni, vidi, vici." What's most enjoyable is how Byrd weaves tid-bits of facts into his historical profiles. I had never thought about how the cast-iron frame had extended the life of pianos because a complete wooden frame would be destroyed by the masters in short order. One of the central themes involves rumors and truths about Jackson's wife, Rachael. Will her early indiscretions be enough to sink Jackson's bid for the White House? Byrd does a nice job of addressing this with known facts, interspersed with supposition. Finally, there's a great deal in this book about a man whom history has mostly forgotten...General Coffee. Coffee was with Jackson throughout many years of his adult life, serving with him at New Orleans and back into civilian life through Jackson's presidency. If you're interested in those that shaped this Union during the early 1800s you'll enjoy this book.
3.0 out of 5 stars
Not my cup of tea,
By
This review is from: Jackson: A Novel (Paperback)
I first need to confess that I only read about 20% of the book before I stopped. It is possible that the book significantly improved as the story progressed. I know very little about Andrew Jackson and I was hoping to learn some history in an entertaining fashion through the use of a historical novel. In the portion of the novel that I read almost every character seemed to have a similar almost interchangeable cynical and sarcastic manner. I did not find the novelistic elements particularly compelling and I did not feel that I was learning much history. Therefore I aborted the novel and ordered a straight biography of Andrew Jackson.
5.0 out of 5 stars
A captivating historical novel, a real "page turner",
This review is from: Jackson: A Novel (Paperback)
Max Byrd distinguishes himself again in this historical novel of President Andrew Jackson and his ascent to the presidency. As a follower of Thomas Jefferson and having read Max Byrd's "Jefferson" I must say this is a better story. I could not put it down and read the entire book in a weekend. Well worth the time for anyone interested in Jackson, the War of 1812 or early American History. Max Byrd carries over the character of Mr. William Short from the Jefferson novel. The main plot involves William Short's commissioning a fictional Mr. David Chase to write a biography of Andrew Jackson for political purposes. Well written and detailed in Max Byrd style the book comes alive with scenes, plots and intrigue.
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