I read the new book on President Andrew Johnson by Annette Gordon-Reed. The author is best known for her books on Sally Hemings and Thomas Jefferson and has won a Pulitzer Prize and National Book Award for her work. She is also a MacArthur Fellow and recipient of the National Humanities Medal and holds 3 appointments at Harvard.
Here is a partial quote from near the beginning of the book
… an assassin’s bullet would place the political fate of African Americans into the hands of a man who despised them.
Were it not so thoroughly steeped in mindless tragedy the first assassination of an American president, the destruction of the hopes of a people long treated as property who thought they were finally going to be able to live in dignity and peace, the lost chance to make the promise of America real to all who lived here one might be content to cast Andrew Johnson’s time in the White House as a form of cosmic joke. The gods were playing tricks on us, giving us Abraham Lincoln exactly when we needed him, having him cut down by an inconsequential person, and then giving us Andrew Johnson to teach us the folly of even imagining that we controlled our own destinies. But the effects of Johnson’s presidency were too profound, too far ranging — reaching into twenty-first-century America to be considered anything approaching a joke or trick, even one to teach an important lesson.
To be fair to Johnson, any man would have had a tough time following Abraham Lincoln, particularly under the circumstances that ended his presidency. …
Seems a very tragic thing that we went from Lincoln who is considered one of the best presidents to Andrew Johnson who is considered one of the worst presidents at a time of great national need. Like Lincoln, Johnson rose from very humble beginnings to the highest office in the land. Unfortunately, Johnson learned a very different lesson from the journey. The book documents his career which includes white supremacist beliefs and battles with Congress over Reconstruction of the defeated South.
My take on this is that the author has very strong feelings about the failures of Johnson as a President and events resulting from those failures. At a time the nation need unity and healing, a white supremacist became President and his failures have “haunted the nation ever since.” It seems to me that the author is very fair in her evaluation of events and documents those failures well. The book was extremely interesting and gave me insight into the first president to be impeached (and the only one before Bill Clinton). The Constitution provides for impeachment for “… high Crimes and Misdemeanors” but those offenses are not defined. There is an interesting discussion about various interpretations of that provision of the Constitution. The book has also made me want to learn more about the period after the Civil War and its implications for modern society.
This book is part of The American Presidents Series and if this is a typical example, I assume it must be a series of fairly short and excellent biographies.
There was an article on the author yesterday in the Philadelphia Inquirer. Check out http://articles.philly.com/2011-02-08/news/271071… if you are interested in learning more.
ANDREW JOHNSON 17TH PRESIDENT OF USA, my 3rd great grandfather and one of the most politically critized , i believe by authors who follow the same lame research theory , oppose to doing the real homework. 1st and most important the racist theory is a total contradiction to his up bringing. Grandpa was raised poor and not welcome amongst the well to do white ppl, he spent most of his time as a child playing with the black and malotto children. he was himself couldn't read and write, maken him a white(nigger). his ambitions to do great things , along with the help of his wife isabel he overcame his lack of knowledge and became very successful. He didn't agree blacks show have the right to vote, because they weren't educated and couldn't understand politics or its definition. He believed blacks should be free as he sign the freedom bill in 1868 and he believed in their education as well. "There not ready" was what he said in time, he was right it took 100yrs and were still in racial disputes. I will debate any one on my grandfather and his legacy he did't run for president but he got it done with all the whigs&republicans b.s. maken it a hell of a task .. the purchase of alaska gold n california, the railroad completion blacks freed n the south and held more seats in office then any president to date. shahiem beloved/facebook.com
Thank you for your comment. There are often multiple perspectives on any event – at least 2 sides to the story. Do you have any suggested biographies or articles that take your view? I would be interested in reading them.
Jack
There are several articles and few biographys, and some speeches that contradict theses theorys of my grandpa. There was a speech were he mentions the new rocking chairs he brought for the girls Lizzy&Flow (elizabeth&florance) his two malotto slaves or daughters? how often does a racist slave owner makes buying his slaves something important. also most of the lifestory books express he was born in poverty and wasn't welcome amongst the elite. he spent most of his time as a child playing with the black&malotto kids, also he couldn't read or write. if you look at his up bringing and his concepts were to freeblacks and begin the education process, but the right to vote the time wasn't right and i believe he was right, the doors were open for the progress to begin,and it happen when it was suppose to. the republicans and the wigs wanted blacks to vote then so they could gangster the vote through ignorance. do your homework and stop playing with the race card to get attention. we pass that the truth is NOW!
Andrew Johnson 17th president of the united states, held more seats in office than any other president to date.. aldermen, mayor, govenor, military general , vice president president & us legislator. during his presidency- gold in california, the purchase of alaska (your welcome sarah palin) the completion of the 1st railroad, the freedom bill in the south, the homestead act, upon takeing office his 1st bill was the equal rights amendment, before leaveing office the right to vote was put into play, which like grandpa said "there not ready to vote they must 1st be educated"! he had two malotto daughters, elizabeth johnson (my grandma)& florence johnson. racist NOT! DO YOUR HOMEWORK . ANDREW JOHNSON THE TRUTH COMMING SOON! author shahiem beloved smith.
I look forward to reading ANDREW JOHNSON THE TRUTH. Always glad to hear the other side of the story and usually there are at least 2 sides.
Jack
I read in interest what you have to say about your 3rd great granfather and then you mention "rocking chairs". I was doing some research on President Andrew Johnson and rocking chairs, because my brother was given a rocking chair with post Civil War date on it and it appears to have Andrew Johnson carved on the bottom of the chair. He was given this chair by a family friend as a wedding present sometime around 1975. The family friend was an antique dealer that bought antiques from the Carolina's, Virginia, Pennsylvania area. When it was given to him, she told him that it was a very important chair , and it was a special gift. At the time he never checked for any marks, etc, he was just pleased with his gift as our parents had taught us a love of anitques, but at the time, he did not really realize the value. He has been looking for someone to authenticate it and then I run across this. Please respond if you have any information.
Marie
Hi Marie,
I guess Shahiem has not been back since your post. I'll comment on one of his comments and maybe he will come back.
Jack
Hi Shamien,
See Marie's comment.
Thanks, Jack
Greetings Maria, on the day to day grind read about the chair sounds interesting, working on the book among other ventures.you can reach me via email shabeloved@hotmail.com or facebook/shahiem beloved .
Since Andrew Johnson is your third great grandfather maybe you know how someone found out that his ancesters came from Kilchoan, Ardnamurchan, Scotland. I have been there. I have been told since my teenage years that Andrew Johnson was my 5th great Uncle. What do you know about Andrew Johnson's ancesters beyond his Grandfather?
I guess Shahiem has not been back since your post. I’ll comment on one of his comments and maybe he will come back.
Jack
Hi Shamien,
See Edna's comment. She may be a distant cousin.
Thanks, Jack
I've not seen a reply from Shamien so I guess your best bet would be to email him directly. (See his comment of May 12).
Jack
hello, america i appreciate your concern in history. ive been working on the book "closer to the truth" (president andrew johnson) from poverty to president. i can be reach via phone 323 678 5053 still nothing from prior authors. ready to debate the truth. the book will give you true insite. the contrdiction to all the bs they want you to believe about grandpops.. see you soon.
Yes it’s a fact my ancestors go back to Ireland. Back to king john king Henry queen Isabel king author several ditches and dukes as well.
Many of mine also go back to Ireland although I have not found much before the late 1700s so far.