The Book, the Man, and the Venue — Zachary Taylor
Book Review — "Zachary Taylor: The American Presidents Series" by John S. D. Eisenhower
Welcome back to “The Book, the Man and the Venue”, my weekly newsletter that aims to shed light on every U.S. president in a way that is engaging, informative, and hopefully, fun!
Every Monday, I’ll be releasing a new article in which I chronicle my journey through one biography for each U.S. President. Each post will consist of three parts: I’ll offer a brief review of the biography (the Book), share reflections on the president's character and legacy (the Man), and choose a location where I would spend time with the president if they were alive today (the Venue).
Hopefully, you will find the content both enriching and enjoyable, and if you like what you read, please consider checking out my other articles (and subscribing if you don’t already)!
Without further ado: Zachary Taylor
The Book
Coming in at only 140 pages, “Zachary Taylor” is the shortest of the presidential biographies I’ve read thus far. Make no mistake, however. Despite its brevity, John S.D. Eisenhower’s narrative is thoughtful, engrossing, and unexpectedly revealing.
As a part of the American Presidents Series, Eisenhower’s work aims to present the chief executive in a way that is “compact enough for the busy reader, lucid enough for the student, (and) authoritative enough for the scholar.” While it may not fully meet the latter criterion, Eisenhower's biography is a solid choice for someone needing an introduction to Taylor and his time in office.
The book's primary strength lies in Eisenhower's military background. Having served as a brigadier general in the Army Reserve and ambassador to Belgium (not to mention his illustrious distinction as the son of former five-star general / President Dwight D. Eisenhower), the author has a keen and unique perspective on “military presidents”. His analysis of the Mexican-American war is both vivid and detailed, providing not just historical context for the war but also deep insights into Taylor's character. It is clear that Eisenhower's forte lies in writing military history rather than pure biography, and it is in this realm that his book truly shines.
However, given its length, the book inevitably makes trade-offs. Taylor's upbringing receives scant attention, and events outside of the Mexican-American war are described somewhat cursorily. For readers seeking a comprehensive understanding of "Old Rough and Ready," other options may be more suitable. Yet, for the layman reader, Eisenhower's biography proves more than sufficient.
Rating: 6.5/10
The Man (or in this case The Horse)
While Zachary Taylor and his wife Margaret raised six children, Taylor's closest companion may have been his horse, Old Whitey. Originally acquired as a buggy horse from Captain George MacCall, Old Whitey soon became Taylor's trusted mount because of his calm and gentle demeanor. With his distinctive light-colored coat, Old Whitey stood out on the battlefield, garnering fame during Taylor's presidential campaign when newspapers featured images of the pair on their front covers (an example of which can be seen below). Responding to public demand, Taylor even brought Old Whitey to the White House, where the horse became a familiar sight, strolling the grounds and delighting tourists who offered him sweet treats.
Throughout Taylor's sixteen-month presidency, Old Whitey provided constant companionship. According to the Natchez Daily Courier, Taylor visited "old Billy," as he affectionately called him, in the stable at least three times a week. "Come, Billy," the General would say, and Whitey would obediently nuzzle his head against Taylor's shoulders, much like a pet dog.
The bond between Taylor and his trusted companion endured beyond life itself. Following Taylor’s unexpected death on July 9th, 1850, it was Old Whitey who solemnly followed the carriage bearing General Taylor's funeral hearse. Guided without a rider, with General Taylor's boots positioned backwards in the stirrups, Old Whitey cast one last glance over the funeral procession, epitomizing a poignant farewell for both a President and a horse who guided the nation through so much turmoil.
Fun Fact: Rutherford B. Hayes also had a war horse named Old Whitey who is now buried next to his grave at Spiegel Grove.
The Venue
Since I just spent half of this post talking about Zachary Taylor’s horse, it would make sense for this venue to be equestrian-related. But, given that I already chose horseback riding as my activity for James Polk (and refuse to repeat venues!), I have decided to pivot to a trip to the zoo. Considering Taylor's fondness for horses, I imagine he'd find it interesting to see other exotic animals he may never have encountered before. Plus, who wouldn't enjoy seeing penguins for the first time?!
I hope that you’ve enjoyed this installment of “The Book, the Man, and the Venue.” If you have feedback about today’s issue, or thoughts about future topics, please feel free to send me a message.
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Hope your new ACL is as reliable as Old Whitey
If not a penguin, may I suggest an Icelandic puffin?