Jackson's Way : Andrew Jackson and the People of the Western Waters

by Buchanan, John

• ISBN13: 9780471282532
• ISBN10: 0471282537
• Edition: 1st
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2001-01-22
• Publisher: Wiley

Summary

Praise for Jackson's Way "A compelling account of Jackson's Indian-fighting days . . . as well a grand sweep of the conquest of the trans-Appalachian West, a more complex, bloody, and intrigue-filled episode than is generally appreciated. . . . Mr. Buchanan writes with style and insight. . . . This is history at its best." -The Wall Street Journal "An excellent study . . . of an area and a time period too long neglected by historians . . . provides valuable new information, particularly on the Indians." -Robert Remini, author of Andrew Jackson and His Indian Wars "John Buchanan has written a book that explodes with action and drama on virtually every page. Yet the complex story of the birth of the American West never loses its focus-Andrew Jackson's improbable rise to fame and power. This is an American saga, brilliantly told by a master of historical narrative." -Thomas Fleming, author of Duel: Alexander Hamilton, Aaron Burr, and the Future of America From John Buchanan, the highly acclaimed author of The Road to Guilford Courthouse, comes a compulsively readable account that begins in 1780 amidst the maelstrom of revolution and continues throughout the three tumultuous decades that would decide the future course of this nation. Jackson's Way artfully reconstructs the era and the region that made Andrew Jackson's reputation as "Old Hickory," a man who was so beloved that men voted for him fifteen years after his death. Buchanan resurrects the remarkable man behind the legend, bringing to life the thrilling details of frontier warfare and of Jackson's exploits as an Indian fighter-and reassessing the vilification that has since been heaped on him because of his Indian policy. Culminating with Jackson's defeat of the British at New Orleans-the stunning victory that made him a national hero-this gripping narrative shows us how a people's obsession with land and opportunity and their charismatic leader's quest for an empire produced what would become the United States of America that we know today.

Author Biography

John Buchanan, formerly an archivist at Cornell University and Chief Registrar of The Metropolitan Museum of Art where he was in charge of worldwide art movements, is the author of The Road to Guilford Courthouse (Wiley). He lives with his wife in New York City.

Table of Contents

Illustrations and Maps	viii
Preface	ix
Prologue	1	(10)
Beginnings	11	(21)
Vanguard of Empire	32	(7)
The Frontier	39	(12)
The Cumberland Salient	51	(14)
Under Siege	65	(14)
``I Am a Native of This Nation & of Rank in It''	79	(29)
The Rise of Andrew Jackson	108	(19)
Buchanan's Station and Nickajack	127	(17)
``When You Have Read This Letter over Three Times, Then Burn It''	144	(12)
Major General Andrew Jackson	156	(18)
Conspiracy and Blood	174	(16)
Old Hickory	190	(18)
Massacre	208	(18)
``Time Is Not to Be Lost''	226	(17)
Mutiny	243	(22)
They ``Whipped Captain Jackson, and Run Him to the Coosa River''	265	(14)
Horseshoe Bend	279	(12)
``We Have Conquered''	291	(11)
``I Act without the Orders of Government''	302	(13)
``To Arms!''	315	(14)
``I Will Smash Them, so Help Me God!''	329	(13)
Beauty and Booty	342	(21)
Epilogue	363	(8)
Notes	371	(36)
Selected Bibliography	407	(10)
Index	417