The Presidency of Andrew Johnson (American Presidency Series)
Worth buying if: You want a focused political biography about Andrew Johnson’s clashes with Radical Republicans.
Skip it if: You expect a sweeping Civil War social history beyond Johnson’s administration.
Exact edition: Edition shown · ISBN-13 9780700601905. The Amazon link uses this ISBN, so the product page should open to the edition shown here.
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Summary
Albert E. Castel's The Presidency of Andrew Johnson (Univ Pr of Kansas) traces Johnson’s conflicts with Congress, struggles over Reconstruction policy, and the impeachment crisis in a clear 262-page narrative grounded in primary records and political context.
Why this book now
Castel’s 1979 study remains a key corrective for readers revisiting Reconstruction debates about presidential power and post–Civil War justice in today’s political climate.
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Best for readers who...
Good fit if you want...
- You want a focused political biography about Andrew Johnson’s clashes with Radical Republicans.
- You read academic yet accessible histories of Reconstruction and constitutional conflict.
- You expect a sweeping Civil War social history beyond Johnson’s administration.
- You prefer long, archival-heavy monographs rather than Castel’s concise 262-page narrative.
- You are specifically hunting for the newest framing rather than a backlist perspective.
Decided it fits?
Exact edition: Edition shown · ISBN-13 9780700601905
Worth buying if: You want a focused political biography about Andrew Johnson’s clashes with Radical Republicans.
Skip it if: You expect a sweeping Civil War social history beyond Johnson’s administration.
Check Amazon for the current price and availability of this exact edition.
Reader guide
Cues to help you decide faster.
Reading commitment
Light Short sit-downs
At 262 pages, this compact university-press volume suits several focused sittings or a weekend deep read for readers familiar with Civil War and Reconstruction basics.
What stands out here
This Univ Pr of Kansas edition emphasizes Castel’s synthesis of congressional records and presidential actions, offering a balanced interpretive account rather than sensational revisionism.
Best way to approach it
Approach it as a close political narrative: follow chapter-by-chapter clashes between Johnson and Congress and pause to note Castel’s use of primary debates and impeachment proceedings.
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Exact edition: ISBN-13 9780700601905
Check Amazon for the current price and availability of this exact edition.