Andrew Johnson: A Biographical Companion (biographical Companions) [Hardcover]

This AZ encyclopedia provides carefully selected entries covering the people, events, and concepts relevant to Andrew Johnson's life.

Andrew Johnson wasand isan American paradox. He never attended school, yet fought for public education. He was a Southern slaveholder who opposed secession and enforced emancipation. Born into poverty, he became the 17th president of the United Statesand the first U.S. president to be impeached.

This new volume thoroughly examines the troubled career of our most unpopular presidentnot to resuscitate his reputation, but because his personal contradictions reflected those of his country: a democratic nation conceived in liberty, yet existing half slave and half free; an economy of yeoman farmers and independent artisans being swept into industrialization and a market system; a country fond of tradition, but caught up in social, economic, and political revolution.

The articles are well written and concisely explain each subject. . . . This would be a worthy addition whenever there is more than cursory interst in Johnson and is essential for major research libraries. Library Journal

Writing is clear and accessible, authoritative without being pedantic . . . an interesting counterpart to other works on the era, particularly for academic and large public library settings. Booklist