Book Review: American Lion by Jon Meacham

This book review of American Lion by Jon Meacham is part of my U.S. Presidents Reading Quest.

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History books can feel dry sometimes, but every now and then, you find one that breathes life into the past. That’s exactly what Jon Meacham does with American Lion. This biography of Andrew Jackson, America’s seventh president, takes readers deep into the world of a polarizing leader who reshaped the presidency—and the nation. I wouldn’t call this book perfect, but it’s a page-turner in its own right. Let me walk you through why I gave it a solid four stars.

Summary of Key Concepts

American Lion dives into Andrew Jackson’s presidency and how it reshaped the presidency from that time forward. The book really focuses on Jackson as a person—his loyalty to his friends, his deep connections, and his drive to fight for everyday people. It looks at his clashes with Congress, the financial challenges of his time, and his effort to hold the Union together.

What makes this biography stand out is how much it highlights Jackson’s personal side, not just the political stuff. Meacham doesn’t just list events; he digs into Jackson’s relationships, values, and even his flaws. You get to see not just what he did, but why—and how those decisions still impact the country today.

My Review

Author’s Style and Approach

I find Jon Meacham’s style to be rich, accessible, and thoughtful. He writes with an eye for drama, almost as if he’s telling a story instead of laying out facts. His tone is mostly balanced, though it leans sympathetic at times. And while it’s clear that Mecham likes Jackson, there’s enough critique to make it feel much more balanced. 

Reading through the notes, it’s clear how much research Meacham does, which I expect. He relies on letters, speeches, and personal accounts to paint this really vivid picture of Jackson’s life. This approach gives the book a certain authenticity, but it also means there are times when it feels bogged down with details. While the storytelling is compelling, some sections feel more like a history lecture than a biography.

Strengths

One of the best things about this book is how it really brings Jackson to life. Meacham shows him as a guy full of contradictions—strong but also soft, a champion of democracy but sometimes acting like a dictator, and someone people either loved or hated. I personally found that by exploring his relationships (with his family, close friends, etc), Meacham masterfully creates a  complicated picture of a unique, complex leader who doesn’t easily fit into any one archetype.

Meacham’s writing is, perhaps not surprisingly, another highlight. He weaves together personal stories and larger historical moments to make the book so much more engaging and relatable. I definitely didn’t feel like I needed to be a history buff to appreciate it. The connections he draws between Jackson’s decisions and their impact on the presidency are also fascinating.

And finally, this book goes super deep. I really like how Meacham doesn’t avoid talking about Jackson’s more controversial policies or choices, but he explains them in a way that fits the time they happened. That balanced way of looking at things helped me see Jackson as both shaped by his time and someone who had a huge influence on it.

Weaknesses

While American Lion is a great book, it’s certainly not perfect. For me, the pacing is kinda all over the place. Some chapters are exciting and full of drama, but others feel bogged down with what felt to me like too much detail. It can be easy to get lost in the political jargon if you’re still learning about the era and all of the political machinations of the age. 

Another thing is Meacham’s tone. He does critique Jackson, but sometimes it feels like he’s too soft on him, especially when it comes to things like Jackson’s policies on Native Americans. It could’ve used a sharper, more critical view to add more depth. Also, the book assumes you know more about early 19th-century politics than you might, which can make parts of it harder to follow. A bit more background would’ve helped for readers who aren’t history buffs.

Personal Reflection

For me, American Lion was a mix of inspiration and frustration. I loved how Meacham brought Jackson’s personality to life, especially his fiery determination and deep emotional connections. It made me think about what makes a leader great—and what happens when that greatness comes at a cost.

However, I couldn’t help feeling uneasy about the way some of Jackson’s actions were handled. His role in policies like the Indian Removal Act is deeply troubling, and I wanted Meacham to dig deeper into the consequences of those decisions. Still, I appreciated the way the book challenged me to think critically about leadership, legacy, and how history judges its heroes.

Who Should Read This

For me, American Lion was a mix of inspiration and frustration. I loved how Meacham brought Jackson’s personality to life, especially his fiery determination and deep emotional connections. It made me think about what makes a leader great—and what happens when that greatness comes at a cost.

Still, I couldn’t shake this uneasy feeling about how some of Jackson’s actions were covered. His role in things like the Indian Removal Act is really troubling, and I wish Meacham had gone deeper into the fallout from those choices. That said, I liked how the book made me think harder about leadership, legacy, and how history decides who the heroes are.

Parting Thoughts

American Lion is a pretty gripping read, even if it’s not perfect. It dives into Andrew Jackson’s life in a way that doesn’t ignore his flaws but also gives credit where it’s due. It’s a balanced look at one of America’s most game-changing presidents—fair and makes you think.

If you’re into history that’s about the people behind the events, I recommended checking it out. Some may not find it always the easiest read at times, but for me, it’s one of those books that gave me a great introduction to the era and the topic, and left me with lots of additional questions to explore and read about. 

What about you? Have you read American Lion? What’s your take on Jackson’s complicated legacy? I’d love to hear your thoughts!

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Other Books You Might Enjoy

• Book review of Martin Van Buren by Captivating History
• Book review of The Age of Gold by H.W. Brands

About the Author

Jon Meacham is an American writer and historian known for his books about American history and politics. He was born on May 20, 1969, in Chattanooga, Tennessee. Meacham worked as the editor-in-chief of Newsweek and later as an executive editor at Random House. He has written several best-selling biographies, including American Lion: Andrew Jackson in the White House, which won the Pulitzer Prize for Biography in 2009. Meacham is also known for Thomas Jefferson: The Art of Power and Destiny and Power: The American Odyssey of George Herbert Walker Bush. His work often explores the lives of U.S. presidents and the values that shaped their leadership. In addition to writing, Meacham appears as a commentator on television and teaches at Vanderbilt University. He is celebrated for making history accessible and engaging to modern audiences.