Zachary Taylor

By: Paul Finkelman

Narrated by: Sean Runnette

Zachary Taylor, a professional soldier and sugar planter with no previous political experience, held the office of president for barely sixteen months before dying of acute gastroenteritis. A war hero before moving into the White House, he immediately confronted a rogue effort (supported by Southern slave owners and politicians) to seize Cuba and had to address issues involving slavery in the new territories acquired from Mexico, demands for a new fugitive-slave law, and petitions for the admission of New Mexico and California as free states. A patriotic nationalist with a steady hand, Taylor was prepared to allow slavery where it existed, but was also ready to halt its expansion and face down Southern extremists. His death likely extinguished the nation’s last hope for tamping down the fierce disagreements developing between North and South.

©2016 New York University (P)2016 Audible, Inc.

Had he lived

Had Zachary Taylor lived I believe the Civil War boom would have been averted and in doing so slavery would have continued eventually ending much later.

wish there were other audio books about him

short and not a lot of info other than a brief on his presidency. good for a quick history lesson

Too short; an essay more than a book

Should be free (and not charged a Credit). Excellent overview of this President. But too concise regarding a President whom might have been able to prevent the US Civil War had he not untimely died.