In 2015, HBO announced it was working on a television miniseries adaptation of American Lion starring Sean Penn as Andrew Jackson, but the project stalled after the departure of director Phillip Noyce over reported disagreements with Jackson's depiction. Bush and Donald Trump, and praised by such figures as Mike Pence, Mark Zuckerberg, Bill O'Reilly, Jon Stewart, Eric Cantor, and Tim McGraw. The book has reportedly been read by U.S. Mixed or negative reviews accused Meacham of portraying Jackson too positively or spending too much time on political scandals. Critics praised Meacham's writing, the depth of research, Jackson's riveting story, and the placement of Jackson's legacy in a modern context.

It was included on The New York Times Book Review 's list of 100 Notable Books of 2008, and was ranked one of the best books of 2008 by The Washington Post 's Book World. In writing American Lion, Meacham said he sought not to whitewash Jackson or 'all his sins, which are enormous', such as his support of slavery and Indian removal.Īmerican Lion received generally positive reviews. presidents and Founding Fathers, Meacham believed Jackson was 'the most like us', and had the strongest influence on the modern presidency. Meacham believed Jackson represented the best and worst of American character, citing his simultaneous capacity for kindness and cruelty. American Lion is not a full-scale account of Jackson's entire life or political career, but rather focuses on his presidency and his domestic arrangements in the White House.Īmerican Lion focuses a great deal on the Bank War, the federal tariff on imports, and the Petticoat affair, during which Meacham claimed 'the future of the American presidency was at stake'.

Much of the correspondence was found in archives at the Hermitage, Jackson's estate in Nashville, Tennessee.

Read a brief 1-Page Summary or watch video summaries curated by our expert team. Meacham wrote American Lion drawing in part on previously unavailable documents, including letters, diaries, memorabilia, and accounts from Jackson's intimate circle that had been largely privately owned for 175 years. American Lion Book Summary, by Jon Meacham Want to learn the ideas in American Lion better than ever Read the world’s 1 book summary of American Lion by Jon Meacham here.

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