The Rise of Andrew Jackson: Myth, Manipulation, and the Making of Modern Politics

By David S. Heidler, Jeanne T. Heidler

Categories: History, Politics & Social Sciences

Historians David S. Heidler and Jeanne T. Heidler show how Andrew Jackson's supporters built a political machine and a public image that carried him to the presidency in 1828. They describe the use of newspapers, campaign organisations and a carefully crafted myth of Jackson as a man of the people, along with his rivalries with figures such as Henry Clay and John Quincy Adams. The book argues that this campaign created the template for modern American politics.

Recommended by 1 person

• Shane Parrish: “This book takes a look at Jackson’s rise to the presidency. The story includes archenemies (Henry Clay), a propaganda machine, and a slew of people who wanted him in power. Despite living in a time with different customs and perceptions, the 1828 election would eventually foreshadow the art of the negative campaign.”