Charles Grier Sellers (1923–2021)

For more reviews and bookish posts visit: https://www.ManofLaBook.com

James K. Polk, Vol. 2: Continentalist, 1843-1846 by Charles Grier Sellers is the first volume in a proposed trilogy studying the 11th President of the United States. Mr. Sellers is a historian, a Southern liberal specializing in antebellum America.

The first book, Jacksonian, was a bit dry and ended right before Mr. Polk became President. I felt that James Polk, actually, played a secondary character in his own biography. I show more was looking forward to read the second volume assuming it would be more interesting, and less dry than the first.

It seems that the author had a change of heart about his subject, which might explain why the “trilogy” only consists of two books. The introduction of James K. Polk, Vol. 2: Continentalist, 1843-1846 by Charles Grier Sellers judges Polk as a person, and as a President. Yes, he achieved all his goals, but how did these goals benefit the United States, and what was Polk’s role in achieving them?

Polk, it seems, was a master manipulator, an ambitious man who rose from political limbo to the highest office in the land. In the process, the author describes the steps that went into forming his government in great detail. I felt this section of the book was overly written and, frankly, quite boring.

Mr. Sellers shines, however, when he covers the war with Mexico, and the Oregon issues. While he stops a step shy of flat-out saying Polk provoked the war, he does write about the fact that Polk was painting the Mexicans into a financial corner with no-way out. Polk’s hunger for land, and hatred of Mexicans also played a role in the decisions.

There is very little about Polk’s family and his life outside politics. His personal life is mentioned in the context of his administration to explain motives. While the work seems to be mostly academic, I appreciated the author attempt to liven it up with a few one-liners and metaphors which made me chuckle several times.

Then the book just… ends!!

These two volumes certainly made me appreciate President Polk much more. His presidency was complex, and Mr. Sellers does not worship his subject like other biographers. He’s not afraid o criticize Polk, as well as praise he when deserved. show less

2016 James K. Polk: Continentalist 1843-1846, by Charles Sellers (read 20 Jul 1986) This is the second volume of Sellers' masterful biography of James K. Polk. This covers the period from Aug 1843 to Aug 1846. It is an extremely fascinating story and time. Polk received no votes on the first seven ballots at Baltimore, but on the 8th ballot, New Hampshire (the second state called--they called states in geographical order) gave all its six votes to Polk. He won on the ninth ballot. This book show more is just fascinating in its detail. The Mexican War really seems indefensible by any standard, the U.S. clearly being in the wrong and Polk eager for war. But how glad I can't help but be that all that vast area is a part of the U.S. This biography is excellent. I hope I can get the third volume. [Years later I determined the third volume was never written, or at least never published.] show less

2016 James K. Polk: Continentalist 1843-1846, by Charles Sellers (read 20 Jul 1986) This is the second volume of Sellers' masterful biography of James K. Polk. This covers the period from Aug 1843 to Aug 1846. It is an extremely fascinating story and time. Polk received no votes on the first seven ballots at Baltimore, but on the 8th ballot, New Hampshire (the second state called--they called states in geographical order) gave all its six votes to Polk. He won on the ninth ballot. This book show more is just fascinating in its detail. The Mexican War really seems indefensible by any standard, the U.S. clearly being in the wrong and Polk eager for war. But how glad I can't help but be that all that vast area is a part of the U.S. This biography is excellent. I hope I can get the third volume. [Years later I determined the third volume was never written, or at least never published.] show less

For more reviews and bookish posts visit: https://www.ManOfLaBook.com

James K. Polk, Vol. 1: Jacksonian, 1795-1843 by Charles Grier Sellers is the first volume in a proposed trilogy studying the 11th President of the United States. Mr. Sellers is a historian, a Southern liberal specializing in antebellum America.

This book tells of the rise of James K. Polk in Tennessee and the national, political scene due to his wits and connections with President Andrew Jackson. Much of the book talks about show more Polk, Jackson, and others opposing banks and paper money.

In much of James K. Polk, Vol. 1 by Charles Grier Sellers, the titled man takes a back seat to the huge figure of Jackson. The author tells of the rise of Andrew Jackson and an analysis of the political debates which were the hot topics of the time.

Polk himself takes a backseat and often isn’t even mentioned for many pages. However, once he becomes Speaker of the House, Polk returns to the forefront of his own biography.

Much of the book examines why Jackson, Polk, and their supporters opposed banks and paper money. While the narrative could be dry at times, the research and analysis are solid and I managed to understand their views very well. To be honest, I liked Polk: The Man Who Transformed the Presidency and America by Walter R. Borneman much better.

But this book doesn’t even reach Polk’s presidency. The majority focuses on local politics, Van Buren’s New York politics, and of course the politics of the state of Tennessee. While some of it is interesting, it slows down the book tremendously. The ending is supposedly a cliffhanger, where James K. Polk finds himself ousted after losing, again, the governor’s office, and hoping to gain the vice president’s office.
We, however, know what’s coming. show less