Summer Reading for Potus Geeks: Martin Van Buren
Martin Van Buren seems like an odd subject for anyone's discretionary reading, but today is the anniversary of his death, and there are enough of us nerds to make this a topic, and besides, Van Buren did actually lead a very interesting life. He was one of first real political operatives in history and his prowess at getting members of his party elected earned him the nickname "the Little Magician", so he's interesting for that reason alone. I am also always amused by the fact that Van Buren wrote a lengthy autobiography of himself, and never once mentioned his wife Hannah in it. He was just that focused on politics. So here are a few Van Buren books for those wanting to know more about him to consider, many of which focus on Van Buren the political genius almost more than Van Buren the eighth President.
First, there is the Autobiography of Martin Van Buren, Van Buren wrote his memoirs in the 1850s while in England. The book covers the period from his early political career in New York through Andrew Jackson's presidency, but not his own presidency. Though generally a dry read, his anecdotes about Jackson, Henry Clay, Daniel Webster, and John Calhoun are interesting and his writing about the animosity between the Federalist and Republican parties in the early 19th century is also somewhat interesting. There is a lot of self-serving and slanted recollection about issues that affected Van Buren politically. As stated earlier, he never mentions his wife, though his sons are mentioned. If you're a Van Buren geek, then this is worth a read.
The leading bio of the man is John Niven's 1983 work Martin Van Buren: The Romantic Age of American Politics. This is a scholarly, but readable a readable and extremely well researched biography of the eighth President. Niven covers his subject's public life of comprehensibly from his early days in New York politics to his final years as an active participant in the political turmoil leading to the Civil War. The book does not delve very deeply into Van Buren's personal side, but given that Van Buren's life revolved around politics, this is not surprising.
Another academic tome, part of the University of Kansas American Presidency Series, is The Presidency of Martin Van Buren by Major L. Wilson. This book provides a thorough recounting of the events and decisions of Van Buren's White House years and positively reconsiders Van Buren as an able statesman and effective chief executive. Wilson argues that Van Buren faced the major problems of his presidency with courage as America faced daunting economic challenges. Wilson looks at Van Buren's close relationship with Andrew Jackson and disputes the characterization of the Van Buren presidency as "Jackson's third term". Wilson describes how Van Buren resolved the crisis with Mexico and succeeded in keeping peace with Britain at a time when the disputed Maine boundary might have precipitated war. The book contains an in-depth analysis of the economic and political aspects of Van Buren's domestic policy, especially the Independent Treasury, views which would cost him reelection.
The very well respected historian Robert Vincent Remini has written Martin Van Buren and the Making of the Democratic Party, a 1968 work which also makes the case that Van Buren deserves better treatment than history has given him.
A more recent analysis of Van Buren is found in Professor Joel Silbey's 2005 book Martin Van Buren and the Emergence of American Popular Politics. Silbey, someone with a vast knowledge of the Jacksonian era, offers an excellent study and analysis of Van Buren's public career, which spanned four decades. Silbey looks at his subject's many contributions to the formation of the Democratic party and the development of the second party system. The author makes the case that Van Buren took the lead among his contemporaries in remolding the old political order. Silbey argues that Van Buren recognized the need for effective national political organization and, in the process, helped remake America's political culture.
Finally, if you want the executive read about Van Buren, you can always check out the American Presidents Series volume on his, Martin Van Buren by Ted Widmer, a former speechwriter for President Bill Clinton. Widmer asserts that Van Buren created the modern political party system. Widmer explains how some newspapermen called the New York Democrat "the little magician" because of his diminutive frame and his deftness at political sleight of hand, while others, who criticized his response when the American economy ground to a halt shortly after his election in 1836, called him "Martin Van Ruin." He notes how, despite the collapse of financial markets in 1837, Van Buren held fast to his belief in the Jacksonian principles of limited federal government, states' rights and protection of the people from the powerful. But he argues that throughout his term, Van Buren effectively took no federal action to alleviate the economic crisis.
Presidential history is full of interesting characters and truth can be, if not stranger, at least as interesting as fiction. Martin Van Buren is a colorful character whose life provides some fascinating reading.
First, there is the Autobiography of Martin Van Buren, Van Buren wrote his memoirs in the 1850s while in England. The book covers the period from his early political career in New York through Andrew Jackson's presidency, but not his own presidency. Though generally a dry read, his anecdotes about Jackson, Henry Clay, Daniel Webster, and John Calhoun are interesting and his writing about the animosity between the Federalist and Republican parties in the early 19th century is also somewhat interesting. There is a lot of self-serving and slanted recollection about issues that affected Van Buren politically. As stated earlier, he never mentions his wife, though his sons are mentioned. If you're a Van Buren geek, then this is worth a read.
The leading bio of the man is John Niven's 1983 work Martin Van Buren: The Romantic Age of American Politics. This is a scholarly, but readable a readable and extremely well researched biography of the eighth President. Niven covers his subject's public life of comprehensibly from his early days in New York politics to his final years as an active participant in the political turmoil leading to the Civil War. The book does not delve very deeply into Van Buren's personal side, but given that Van Buren's life revolved around politics, this is not surprising.
Another academic tome, part of the University of Kansas American Presidency Series, is The Presidency of Martin Van Buren by Major L. Wilson. This book provides a thorough recounting of the events and decisions of Van Buren's White House years and positively reconsiders Van Buren as an able statesman and effective chief executive. Wilson argues that Van Buren faced the major problems of his presidency with courage as America faced daunting economic challenges. Wilson looks at Van Buren's close relationship with Andrew Jackson and disputes the characterization of the Van Buren presidency as "Jackson's third term". Wilson describes how Van Buren resolved the crisis with Mexico and succeeded in keeping peace with Britain at a time when the disputed Maine boundary might have precipitated war. The book contains an in-depth analysis of the economic and political aspects of Van Buren's domestic policy, especially the Independent Treasury, views which would cost him reelection.
The very well respected historian Robert Vincent Remini has written Martin Van Buren and the Making of the Democratic Party, a 1968 work which also makes the case that Van Buren deserves better treatment than history has given him.
A more recent analysis of Van Buren is found in Professor Joel Silbey's 2005 book Martin Van Buren and the Emergence of American Popular Politics. Silbey, someone with a vast knowledge of the Jacksonian era, offers an excellent study and analysis of Van Buren's public career, which spanned four decades. Silbey looks at his subject's many contributions to the formation of the Democratic party and the development of the second party system. The author makes the case that Van Buren took the lead among his contemporaries in remolding the old political order. Silbey argues that Van Buren recognized the need for effective national political organization and, in the process, helped remake America's political culture.
Finally, if you want the executive read about Van Buren, you can always check out the American Presidents Series volume on his, Martin Van Buren by Ted Widmer, a former speechwriter for President Bill Clinton. Widmer asserts that Van Buren created the modern political party system. Widmer explains how some newspapermen called the New York Democrat "the little magician" because of his diminutive frame and his deftness at political sleight of hand, while others, who criticized his response when the American economy ground to a halt shortly after his election in 1836, called him "Martin Van Ruin." He notes how, despite the collapse of financial markets in 1837, Van Buren held fast to his belief in the Jacksonian principles of limited federal government, states' rights and protection of the people from the powerful. But he argues that throughout his term, Van Buren effectively took no federal action to alleviate the economic crisis.
Presidential history is full of interesting characters and truth can be, if not stranger, at least as interesting as fiction. Martin Van Buren is a colorful character whose life provides some fascinating reading.