Taylor, Zachary

Zachary Taylor: Soldier, Planter, Statesman of the Old Southwest (Southern Biography)

Average customer rating:

Bad attempt with limited research
Old Rough and Ready's Story
Highly Recomended
Decent book
Not much you could do with the subject...

Zachary Taylor: Soldier, Planter, Statesman of the Old Southwest (Southern Biography)
K. Jack Bauer
Manufacturer: Louisiana State University Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0807118516

Customer Reviews:

Bad attempt with limited research.......2007-03-03

This was a terrible attempt at scholarship. The book is poorly written and gives an overview with no specifics except for military encounters. This author should have focused his efforts on a military account of Taylor's life because after reading I feel I know nothing about the man. Admittedly there are severe source deficiencies when dealing with this subject but a much wider study could have been undertaken. Sadly there is not much written on Taylor and this does a poor job of adding to the scholarship.

Old Rough and Ready's Story.......2006-03-09

This was a good read in that it described Zack Taylor's military carreer and political excursion thoroughly. The book does a good job of keeping interest in a less than interesting character. Taylor seems to be somewhat of a whiner throughout his military career, but he was a good soldier. The author's description of his campaigns in Mexico cause the reader to wonder why Taylor was hailed as a hero of the war, but since he was in charge, he got the credit. His political success wasn't any more impressive and we were fortunate to have such an able bodied politician/statesman in Fillmore to take over upon Taylor's death. I recommend this book to anyone interested in 19th century politics.

Highly Recomended.......2005-07-30

I have read a number of presidential biographies and this was one of the best organized and best written. The author breaks down Taylor's life into substantive themes. Now, I am NOT saying the Taylor is the most interesting president to study. I am saying, however, that this is one of the best books that you will find regarding biographies of presidents.

Decent book .......2004-08-11

It covers Taylor's military career in enough detail based upon the limited amount of information available. The reader can grasp an overall picture of the man. Probably not the most qualified man to ever be elected to president but an honest and able person.

Not much you could do with the subject..........2002-07-09

Of all the presidents I have studied so far, Taylor could very well be the least deserving of the presidency. I think Mr. Bauer is a very good writer and historian, but Taylor is neither a very exciting subject or a very well-documented one (apparently many of his private papers were lost during a sacking of his plantation home during the Civil War).

He was essentially a very average intellect and not very creative either in his politics or his military acumen. Compared to other generals who have risen to the presidency (Washington, Jackson, Eisenhower, Grant), his military capabilities were very dim. His successes in the Mexican War, I think, were due more to capable, think-on-your-feet lieutenants than strategy-making onhis part.

This book confirmed the impression of Taylor that I had formed from reading other works about the era: that he was petty, defensive, couldn't control his temper a lot of the time and was politically naive (not necessarily a bad thing...).

I don't believe a man like him would have been elected today. He benefited from remoteness, little interaction with the press and letting other, more powerful politicians essentially run for him.

Like other presidents between 1845-1860, he also had the misfortune of being president during one of our most challenging periods and when the country was probably really run more by Clay, Calhoun and Webster. You couldn't do much in those days without their support and Taylor seems to have been too naive to either (a) recognize that or (b) go along with it. As a result he accomplished very little during his short tenure. I don't think he would have accomplished much more had he lived longer.

The book itself is well-written but not interesting. Again, I think that has to do more with the subject than the author and I wouldn't mind reading something else by Bauer. Still, if you need to read about Taylor, this is probably your best choice.

Wood Bender's Handbook
Average customer rating:

Helpful for Steam Bending

Best for beginning luthiers

Wood Bender's Handbook
Zachary Taylor
Manufacturer: Sterling
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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The Complete Manual of Wood Bending: Milled, Laminated, and Steambent Work

Bending Wood (Fine Woodworking On)

Bent Ply

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The Complete Illustrated Guide to Shaping Wood (Complete Illustrated Guide)

ASIN: 0806997028

Book Description

You don’t need expensive machinery or exotic hand tools—just apply these proven techniques to your favorite projects. Try cold, dry, or kerf bending; laminating; or hot water, steam, and hot air bending. With each method come wood recommendations from one of the world’s acknowledged experts. Handy charts show the bending qualities of the 25 most important woods and their desired effects.

Customer Reviews:

Helpful for Steam Bending.......2006-03-13

I bought this book for my boyfriend who is starting his own drum making company. He found the information on steam bending to be very helpful. The table at the back which details the possible bent radius of different woods was also a plus. There's a good section on creating a steam box. It is simple to read with some projects at the back. Very condensed infomation. The boat building section is also a positive if steam bending is what you're interested in. Very Good

Best for beginning luthiers.......2002-12-17

After getting in over my head, I bought three books on wood bending: this one, Schleining's "The complete manual of wood bending" and "Fine Woodworking on Bending Wood." This one is oriented towards building guitars and other fine instruments. It omits coverage of milling and coopering wood to obtain curves, and the coverage of planning and drawing is superficial. One potentially useful section covers computing the length of a radius from the shape of the curve. The book has an okay narrative with a pleasant writing style, but I found it short on practical knowledge. Some of the writing is cute. For example, the author pushes homemade hot pipe irons, because the commercial ones cost "what one could dine on for a week." I would rather have been given an actual dollar figure. I've since learned that a good commercial one can be had for about $.... Unless you eat at Taco Bell... Overall, I recommend that most woodworkers will get more out of Schleining's book, which is filled with easy-to-read advice gleaned from years of practical experience. Schleining does not focus on building instruments, however. If you are looking for plans, this one has them: oval boxes, walking sticks, boat ribs, and chair backs.

The Presidencies of Zachary Taylor and Millard Fillmore (American Presidency Series)

Average customer rating:

Two maligned presidents receive the credit due them
Excellent

The Presidencies of Zachary Taylor and Millard Fillmore (American Presidency Series)
Elbert B. Smith
Manufacturer: University Press of Kansas
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 070060362X

Book Description

In this book Elbert B. Smith disagrees sharply with traditional interpretations of Taylor and Fillmore, the twelfth and thirteenth presidents (from 1848 to 1853). He argues persuasively that the slaveholding Taylor--and not John C. Calhoun--was the realistic defender of southern slaveholding interests, and that Taylor did nothing to impede the Compromise of 1850. While Taylor opposed the combination of the issues into a single compromise bill that could not be passed without ammendments to suit the extremists, he would have approved the different parts of the Compromise that were ultimately passed as separate measures.

Most historians have written that Taylor's death and Fillmore's accession led to an abrupt change in presidential policy, but Smith believes that continuity predominated. Taylor wanted the controversies debated and acted upon as separate bills. Fillmore helped to accomplish this. Taylor was ready to defend New Mexico against Texas. Fillmore ordered 750 additional troops to New Mexico and announced publicly that he would do the same. Taylor had wanted statehood for California and New Mexico with self-determination on slavery. As separate measures, the Congress admitted California and preserved a viable New Mexico as a territory authorized to make its own decision on slavery.

With secessionists pitted against moderates in the southern elections of 1851, Fillmore had to choose between his constitutional oath and his personal antipathy to the new fugitive slave law. He supported the law and thereby helped keep southern moderates in power for a few more years. In fact, however, his efforts did not recapture a single slave. In Smith's view, Fillmore's most serious mistake was refusing in 1852 to get himself nominated for another term.

Smith argues that Taylor and Fillmore have been seriously misrepresented and underrated. They faced a terrible national crisis and accepted every responsibility without flinching or directing blame toward anyone else.

This book is part of the American Presidency Series.

Customer Reviews:

Two maligned presidents receive the credit due them .......2004-09-20

Of all the presidents, Millard Fillmore may have the worst public perception. There is even a group spoofing him as the most forgettable president in history. I first learned of this group when Johnny Carson mentioned it during a monologue on an episode of the Tonight Show. It is of course absolutely false; Fillmore was a strong president with deeply held beliefs who acted in the best interests of the country. While he was a New Yorker and personally despised slavery, Fillmore upheld the great compromise of 1850 and continued the policies of Zachary Taylor.
Taylor was the owner of many slaves, but all indications are that he was a very benevolent owner. He was also a pragmatist, understanding all too well that economic conditions dictated that slavery was not viable in the newly acquired western territories. Above all else, he was a unionist, stating in no uncertain terms that he would use federal troops against anyone who tried to break the union. As a former general, he was very credible when he threatened to personally lead federal troops in the potential battle between New Mexico and Texas. All through the years of the presidencies of Taylor and Fillmore, there is the clear movement towards the war that broke out ten years later.
Both men have traditionally been ranked in the bottom level of presidents, largely due to the terrible events of the civil war. Smith is absolutely right in going beyond this simplistic view and explaining the tremendous successes that both men achieved as president. The circumstances were beginning to spiral out of control and three political giants; Henry Clay, Daniel Webster and John C. Calhoun all were passing from the scene. Even in retrospect, it is hard to see how they could have done more to preserve the union. Two great tragedies that helped lead to the civil war are explained in great detail. The death of Taylor after only sixteen months in office was a disaster. If he had survived and served two terms, it is very possible that the lurch toward sectional war could have been held in check. As a southern slaveholder and a strong unionist Taylor had credibility to oppose southern secessionists that few others had. His last complete year in office would have been 1956, and the Whig party would have survived. The demise of the Whig party was the key disaster, as it led to the rise of the Republican Party, which had trivial support in the slaveholding areas. While the Whig party had enormous internal problems, the fact that they could elect southern slaveholders to the presidency demonstrates that they were a national party.
While the events that came after their term in office must be included in any historical analysis of a president, a sensible sense of perspective must be maintained. Other people rise to hold political offices and their actions have more effect on events than their predecessors do. Taylor and Fillmore have been maligned for events that were largely beyond their control. Yes, there were things that they could have done differently while in office that could have helped heal the growing sectional rifts. However, on balance their presidencies were more successful than they have traditionally been given credit for. Smith breaks with that tradition, by concentrating on what they did, he describes two men who held the rudder of state on as even a keel as was humanly possible. Those were times of great looming dangers; they fought them with great skill and determination. Unfortunately, they passed from the scene all too quickly.

Excellent.......2004-07-12

This is the fourth text I have read in the American Presidency Series, and I also rate this one a 5 star. This series provides a detailed overview of what is happening in the country socially and culturally, in addition to politically. I like that I learn not only about the two presidents ; but also, I was given details on many of the other major political figures of the time. An extensive use of primary sources is used, and the author makes an effort to discuss how previous biographers have presented each president, how the presidents have been viewed at different points in history, and how this account sees the presidents. This is a sympathetic biography of both, but the author's assessment is solidly supported with evidence. I am not a historian, just a person reading a bio of each of our past presidents. Interesting, story-telling. I did not find this work boring and dry. It also sets the stage for the Civil War and explores the issues that help build toward war.

The life of Major General Zachary Taylor, twelfth president of the United States. By H. Montgomery.

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The life of Major General Zachary Taylor, twelfth president of the United States. By H. Montgomery.
Michigan Historical Reprint Series
Manufacturer: Scholarly Publishing Office, University of Michigan Library
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

United States | History | Historical Reproductions | Formats | Books
ASIN: 1425556183
Release Date: 2005-12-21

Book Description

This volume is produced from digital images created through the University of Michigan University Library's preservation reformatting program.

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Marquetry & Inlay Handbook
Zachary Taylor
Manufacturer: Sterling
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Decorative Arts | Design & Decorative Arts | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books

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The Art of Wood Inlay
The Art of Marquetry (Schiffer Book for Woodworkers)
The Art of Inlay: Design and Technique for Fine Woodworking
Veneering, Marquetry and Inlay (Best of Fine Woodworking)
Marquetry (Getty Trust Publications: J. Paul Getty Museum)

ASIN: 0806926872

Book Description

“Taylor offers a wealth of information about cutting and piecing together veneers and describes the techniques for using either hand or power tools. The second half shows readers how to inlay decorative elements into wood. Taylor is first-rate in making sense of a some-what unforgiving technique. Excellent.”—Library Journal

Exquisite designs, exotic woods, and skills anyone can master! With marquetry (attaching a design to a wood surface), or inlay (inserting small pieces of wood into the grain) even the simplest objects can become artistic and sophisticated pieces. Here's the best, most beautifully illustrated guide for learning a wonderful variety of woodworking techniques and achieving high-quality results. From corner banding and stringing to irregular shapes, circular motifs, rosettes, and purfling, all the processes are broken down and shown in crisp photos, accompanied by easy-to-follow instructions. Best of all, even the beginner can succeed in doing excellent work by following the directions for using either hand or machine tools. Here's the perfect chance to use rich looking, expensive woods, in small, affordable amounts, on projects such as a Box Lid, Writing Desktop, Violin, or Coffee Table. .

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Scroll Saw: Workshop Bench Reference
Zachary Taylor
Manufacturer: Sterling Publishing
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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Lots of history and a little myth
Tall Tales
Meet The Judge

My Confession: Recollections of a Rogue
Samuel E. Chamberlain
Manufacturer: Texas State Historical Association
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0876111568

Customer Reviews:

Lots of history and a little myth.......2006-03-07

Sam Chamberlain is a rogue, all right, but not necessarily for the reasons that this book indicates. Chamberlain's accounts of daring-do sometimes read like the pulp fiction of his era. Some of what he relates bears the accuracy of an eye-witness to history and with good reason. He had, in fact, ridden throughout much of Northern Mexico during the United States' war with the country from 1846 to 1848 and was on hand to see the Battle of Buena Vista in 1847. But he's guilty of something not uncommon among writers of his era -- making first-hand accounts of events where he clearly was not involved. The best example of this is his description of American deserters (San Patricios) hanged during the last battles for Mexico City. His description does not match others exactly, because at the time of the hangings, Chamberlain was still hundreds of miles away, likely near Saltillo, Mexico. For a reality check, read the editors' footnotes; they do a pretty good job of separating Chamberlain's facts from his flights of fancy.

Tall Tales.......2001-11-18

For those interested the Mexican War, this is a "must read" book and has been used by historians as a primary source for years, but his crude paintings are also a treat for the scholar, because Camberlain captures many scenes which have escaped photographers and those who made lithographs, including the massacre of Mexican civilians by Arkansas troops in a cave in Northern Mexico.

Sam Camberlain was a 16 year old private from Boston who served in the elite 1st US Dragoons in Mexico and gives vivid descriptions with crude but animated paintings of Saltillo, Monterrey, and Northern Mexico. Although he was not at the savage fighting during the capture of Monterrey, he claims to have been there so the reader is left to wonder about his other claims and the accuracy of his paintings of the combat in which he lied about being involved. Perhaps he had contact with those who were actually there?

Sam Chamberlain was in the Mexican War and painted some interesting small glimpses of life & death. Reading his book is almost like listening to a veteran who seems to have been everywhere and done everything (especially with women). Sam Chamberlain relates deaths of soldiers to Mexican guerrillas and duty in the occupation but more often than not, Sam Chamberlain proclaims preposterous pick-ups with a host of women. The reader almost senses the author is bragging to fellow high schoolers in a locker room or to anyone who will listen in a bar, hence the title of the book is fitting "My Confessions: Recollections of a Rogue". This book would probably be disregarded as pure fantasy if it were not or the fact that sometimes he does detail military and daily life senarios which are proved by others.

Truth or Tall Tale? Read this book and you be the judge.

Meet The Judge.......1999-05-25

Read 'My Confession' for a first hand account of the War with Mexico, as well as an eyewitness report on the notorious Glanton party. This is one of the most controverisal stories in American and Mexican history, and the discovery of these papers in the 1950s brought out an event that was otherwise best 'swept under the rug' of history. Cormac McCarthy pointed a spotlight on this whole affair when he wrote Blood Meridian, and fans of McCarthy may want to read this to confirm that he wasn't making everything up in Blood Meridian:The Evening Redness in the West. The basic storyline of The Kid, Glanton and the Judge's scalp hunt as set forth in 'Blood Meridian' is related here by the man who lived thru it all, General Samuel Chamberlin. I for one was disturbed to find the Judge among the cast of real characters, I couldn't imagine that such a horrible figure actually existed. Read the book to find out what really happened to Glanton, the kid, as well as 'the judge'. And keep your powder very dry.

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Starts From the Basics
Mini power tools
A great place to start

The Mini Power Tool Handbook
Zachary Taylor , and Colin Bullock
Manufacturer: Sterling
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Power Tools | How-to & Home Improvements | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books

Multipro Chuck

ASIN: 0806922923

Book Description

With chapters on cutting, drilling, routing, carving, engraving, model making, shaping, smoothing, and polishing, you’ll be ready to make toys, models, signs, intarsia and marquetry. See how to handle a variety of materials from wood to glass to stone. Absolutely com-prehensive, including the brands, models and accessories on the market right now.

Customer Reviews:

Starts From the Basics.......2005-04-19

I love this book! It doesn't assume that you have any knowledge at all of a Dremel or powertools in general - and when I started, I didn't. Lots of pictures and clear explanations gave me the confidence to try things and use all the attchments. Highly recommended!

Mini power tools.......2004-06-09

If you're familiar with there big brothers, you likely won't glean much from this offering. I couldn't find much more information in the book than is usually available on the sales brochures.

A great place to start.......2003-06-09

I have had a Dremel Mototool for years but got little use from it. I also recently purchased a drill & drill press and a circular saw that are featured in this book. The guides that came with the new tools were very skimpy - they said to ensure the blade was fitted the right way but did not tell you which way was right.

So you can imagine my joy to find such a comprehensive guide.

Book Description

A thorough, illustrated biography discussing the president's childhood, his career, his family, and his term as President of the United States. Includes a time line and glossary.

Customer Reviews:

The story of how a career military officer became President.......2003-08-14

Zachary Taylor is one of the most unusual presidents in American history, since he overly served 16 months in office and was elected without having previously served in public office or even having voted in an election. However, young readers will learn from this juvenile biography of the Our Presidents series that Taylor enjoyed a distinguished military career and is the only president who moved directly from the military to the White House (even Eisenhower, with who Taylor shares many parallels, was President of Columbia). In this volume Carol Brunelli provides the key biographical details of Taylor's life while making the case for remembering this largely forgotten president.

Young students should find a lot more about Zachary Taylor from this juvenile biography than they ever will from their American history textbook (Taylor was a cousin to both James Madison and Franklin D. Roosevelt). But while Brunelli covers the key elements of Taylor's personal life, the main focus of this book is on his military career, carefully detailing each military engagement that led to each of his promotions. However, Brunelli provides a rather truncated account of Taylor's military exploits during the Mexican War, which is of some importance since it leads to his becoming president. Following one battle Taylor allowed the Mexican army he faced to peacefully retreat, which outraged President James K. Polk, who ordered Taylor to stop his advance and gave the honor of taking Mexico City to General Winfield Scott. Ironically, it was when Santa Ana attacked and was repulsed by the smaller American army commanded by Taylor that old Rough and Ready received the national attention that would propel him to the White House.

Even though Taylor was president for less than 500 days two of the four chapters in this book are devoted to his brief time in the White House. The first deals with Taylor's stand on the slavery issue and young readers will find that like Abraham Lincoln here was a president who was committed to preserving the Union rather than extending slavery. Given all the dough face presidents who maintained the status quo as the nation moved slowly towards Civil War, Taylor certainly looks good in comparison. The final chapter tells of Taylor's sudden death, after either drinking tainted milk or eating tainted cherries, and talks about the impact in had on the political climate. His potential outweighed his accomplishments in the White House, but that is still an important lesson to learn from American History.

As always, this Our Presidents volume includes detailed sidebars about key topics, such as Taylor's actions during the Seminole Wars and Lincoln's support for Taylor in the 1848 election. The margins of the volume often having Interesting Facts, such as how Taylor did not learn of his nomination for President for several weeks because he refused to accept mail with postage due, which is how the Whigs sent notification (a second letter was sent with stamps). The book is illustrated with period paintings, political cartoons, and even some very early photographs.

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United States Presidents

United States Presidents