James K. Polk A Political Biography to the Prelude to War 1795-1845 Book

Part 1 of a fairly well organized but dry whole-life biography of Polk. The author restricts his study to the public life of Polk; virtually nothing is said of personal life or family. This volume covers his career as a US representative and Speaker of the House, his tenure as governor of Tennessee (and his failed campaigns for governor), his nomination and election as President, and the annexation of Texas.

I have complained that other presidential biographies spend too much time telling me about what the First Lady wore at the balls, I would have liked McCormac to tell us something about the man himself. Is there some insight to be gleaned, did his personal experience inform his policy? No clue here.