Andrew Jackson, the guy on the $20

I recently completed reading "The Passions of Andrew Jackson," a biography of the 7th President of the United States, and the hero of New Orleans, written by Dr. Andrew Burstein.

While I had hoped this book would be a straightforward biography of this controversial president, I was somewhat disappointed. I will give Dr. Burstein his due: this well-researched work does exactly what the author outlines in the beginning of the book, proving the thesis that Andrew Jackson was a man of many passions, someone who did not like or dislike people, but one who loved or hated.

As such, this book glosses over notable events in Jackson's common history, such as the Battle of New Orleans, and even his second term as president. Many more pages are dedicated to the spite he held for dueling opponents in his youth and his correspondence about them. Thus, this book drags along painstakingly examining Jackson's feelings and tempers. Undoubtedly, a basic biography can be found elsewhere, and one of limited knowledge of this president wishing to know more about him would do well to start there. I would reserve recommendation of this work for Jackson enthusiasts well versed in his life and times who actually want to know about his fiery correspondences.

I found a series of videos on youTube provide an overview of Jackson's life. This includes interviews of various authors and historians, including Dr. Burstein. This can be found here.