Chapter 1: The Tavern Keeper's Son: The Making of a Politician,
1782–1812
Chapter 2: "The Partisan Leader" I: Master of the State,
1812–1821
Chapter 3: "The Partisan Leader" II: The Senator From New York,
1821–1828
Chapter 4: The Seats of the Mighty, 1828–1832
Chapter 5: The Democracy's Heir Apparent, 1832–1836
Chapter 6: At the Summit: The Eighth President of the United
States, 1837–1841
Chapter 7: "The People Could Not Be Rallied for Van Buren"
Chapter 8: The Partisan Leader at Bay, 1841–1847
Chapter 9: "The Most Fallen Man I Have Ever Known": The Party
Leader Becomes a Political Rebel—For a Time, 1848–1852
Chapter 10: Political Afterlife, 1852–1862
Chapter 11: "The Honors of Their Statesman"
Suggested Reading
Joel H. Silbey is President White Professor of History at Cornell University. Martin Van Buren and the Emergence of Popular Politics is his 13th book.
In Martin Van Buren and the Emergence of American Popular Politics,
Joel Silbey draws on his deep knowledge of the Jacksonian era to
produce an excellent study of one of the most important political
leaders of the early nineteenth century. Silbey's deft analysis of
Van Buren's public career, spanning some four decades, highlights
his many contributions to the formation of the Democratic party and
the development of the second party system. Clearly written, this
concise biography offers a sure-handed introduction to the
emergence of the American democratic system in the years after
1815.
*William E. Gienapp, Harvard University*
Martin Van Buren was hated, ridiculed, and wrapped in mystery
during his lifetime, but in later years, he was too often forgotten
or misunderstood. Joel H. Silbey has put the 'Little Magician' in
proper perspective at last, in this concise, thoughtful analysis of
one of America's most pivotal politicians.
*Harry Watson, University of North Carolina*
In this welcome book, one of our best political historians has
given us the best biography of one of our best politicians. Joel
Silbey's Martin Van Buren and the Emergence of American Popular
Politics will be required reading for all interested in the
Jacksonian era.
*William Freehling, University of Kentucky*
A satisfying biography of one of our least-known presidents,
covering his entire life from start to finish. Silbey offers many
fresh and welcome perspectives. . . . [The biography] succeeds as
both a concise biography for the casual reader, and a critical
re-examination for the seasoned historian. Recommended.
*Fauquier Times Democrat*
Since the 1960s, Joel H. Silbey has been one of the leading
political historians in the United States. With Martin Van Buren
and the Emergence of American Popular Politics, he has produced
what is perhaps the best brief introduction to the democratization
of the American political process. In his enjoyable biography of
the most important early American politician, Martin Van Buren,
Silbey provides countless readers with the ideal book about the
early republic for students in either survey courses or those upper
level courses that deal with the Early Republic.
*William Shade, LeHigh University*
Joel Silbey has produced a fine work on the eighth U.S. president
worthy of examination by scholars of the American presidency and
political scientists engaged in the study of America's two-party
system.
*North Carolina Historical Review*
This is an excellent short biography.
*Journal of Southern History*
This book makes an undeniably important contribution.
*Civil War History*
Silbey has provided a well-written and concise analysis of [Martin
Van Buren's] career.
*The Historian*
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