John Tyler, the Accidental President

By: Edward P. Crapol

Narrated by: Michael Butler Murray

The first vice president to become president on the death of the incumbent, John Tyler (1790-1862) was derided by critics as "His Accidency." In this biography of the 10th president, Edward P. Crapol challenges depictions of Tyler as a die-hard advocate of states' rights, limited government, and a strict interpretation of the Constitution. Instead, he argues, Tyler manipulated the Constitution to increase the executive power of the presidency. Crapol also highlights Tyler's faith in America's national destiny and his belief that boundless territorial expansion would preserve the Union as a slaveholding republic. When Tyler sided with the Confederacy in 1861, he was branded as America's "traitor" president for having betrayed the republic he once led.

©2006 The University of North Carolina Press (P)2019 Tantor

Particular institution?

Peculiar institution, a phrase well overused to make slavery look less evil. This was not a real good biography.

Attempted Rescue Flounders

The author has put in a great effort trying to convince us and himself of Tyler’s worth by giving him credit for being there while things happened. But even he can’t erase the smears.

He’s set a very low bar for the determination of relevancy in a US president, and then essentially manufactures reasons to support his clearing that bar.

Still, it’s a Tyler biography which is more rare than should be of any President.

Well balanced and detailed history. We enjoyed it

Well balanced and detailed history of the Tyler presidency. We enjoyed the reader and the story very much.

John Tyler is an odd, but interesting study

John Tyler was one of those presidents most of us have forgotten about, but had far more influence than we probably realize. For one, he was the first VP who ascended to the presidency upon the death of a president in office. Secondly, Tyler was the first and only president to this point in history to have literally turned on his country and committed treason upon his efforts in the South's temporary secession from the USA. As a result, this biography gave some very interesting historical fodder upon both accounts. I thoroughly enjoyed listening to this biography not only for the information, though that was excellent, but to see how politicians can be so easily led astray. While Tyler showed some courage and conviction about certain things, he also allowed things like legacy and power to very much get to his head .. leading him, eventually, to not only lose nearly all support from his constituents, but to lose nearly all grasp on what his role as president and statesman even meant to begin with. I would definitely recommend this biography to give some fascinating insight into Tyler the man, but also to better understand the world at that time as a related consequence.

Good Bio of No One’s Favorite President

Between 1837 and 1861, the US had a series of eight single (or less) term presidents, most of whom are rated poorly by historians. They are still important to study since their decisions shaped our history and the lives of millions. John Tyler was a southerner added to the Whig ticket for purposes of regional balance but not particularly in sync with the party. When William Henry Harrison passed unexpectedly after just one month in office, Tyler was elevated to the presidency but not particularly supported by his party and in fact has often been referred to as a “president without a party.” Plus, as a pro-slavery president who eventually joined the confederacy, he’s not gonna be anyone’s favorite by today’s standards. Nevertheless, he did have some success with foreign policy, encouraging national expansion, and setting precedent for succession when a sitting president passes away. Crapol presents a fair and balanced portrait of the man and how he affected our nation. I would have liked more personal details as little is said about his early life or his first wife. For that reason this biography doesn’t reach the heights achieved by biographers such as McCullough, Chaernow or Goodwin, but it is still pretty good and you have to give Crapol points for taking on a subject who many will approach with distaste and honestly evaluating his contributions and lack thereof.