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Monday, November 23, 2009

Books Reading Tonight: James K. Polk and Fleeing Iran

Posted by Paul Constant on Mon, Nov 23, 2009 at 10:21 AM

Two great-looking readings tonight.

Angella M. Nazarian reads at Elliott Bay Book Company tonight. Nazarian's Jewish family fled Iran during the revolution of 1979. Life as a Visitor tells that story. If you enjoyed Persepolis, you should give this one a try, even though it's not a funnybook.

And Robert Merry reads at University Book Store. A Country of Vast Designs: James K. Polk, the Mexican War, and the Conquest of the American Continent sounds totally fucking fascinating. Polk changed America more than just about anyone except for those guys on Mount Rushmore, and you should learn more about him.

The full readings calendar, including the next week or so, is here. And if you're planning on staying in and you're looking for personalized book recommendations, feel free to tell me the books you like and ask me what to read next over at Questionland.

Comments (3) RSS

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Bit shameful the way we just flat-out stole Texas, California, and everything in between. It made the Civil War inevitable, too. The Mexican War was an atrocity from start to finish. Though it must be said that if power abhors a vacuum, someone was going to steal everything from Mexico eventually in that time period. But the way we did it was shameful.

Posted by Fnarf

on November 23, 2009 at 1:24 PM

In 1844, the Democrats were split
The three nominees for the presidential candidate
Were Martin Van Buren, a former president and an abolitionist
James Buchanan, a moderate
Louis Cass, a general and expansionist
From Nashville came a dark horse riding up
He was James K. Polk, Napoleon of the Stump

Austere, severe, he held few people dear
His oratory filled his foes with fear
The factions soon agreed
He's just the man we need
To bring about victory
Fulfill our manifest destiny
And annex the land the Mexicans command
And when the votes were cast the winner was
Mister James K. Polk, Napoleon of the Stump

In four short years he met his every goal
He seized the whole southwest from Mexico
Made sure the tarriffs fell
And made the English sell the Oregon territory
He built an independent treasury
Having done all this he sought no second term
But precious few have mourned the passing of
Mister James K. Polk, our eleventh president
Young Hickory, Napoleon of the Stump

Posted by Swearengen on November 23, 2009 at 1:40 PM

Polk was a brutal, corrupt war monger. A Representative from Illinois named Lincoln was right to stand up in Congress and condemn the war, even if it meant he was defeated for re-election.

Posted by passionate_jus on November 23, 2009 at 5:33 PM