This is one of the "Old Rough and Ready" series, which highlights the lives of famous individuals, inluding Daniel Webster, Napoleon, and Henry Clay, as well as the man featured here, Andrew Jackson. Jackson was seventh President of the United States, the dominant actor in American politics between Thomas Jefferson and Abraham Lincoln. Born to obscure parents and orphaned in youth, he was the first "self-made man" and the first westerner to reach the White House. He became a democratic symbol and founder of the Democratic Party. During his two-term presidency, he expanded executive powers and transformed the President's role from chief administrator to popular tribune.

Included in this Illustrated Edition of Old Hickory are all nine original illustrations, rejuvenated.

In June of 1812, the United States finally declared war on Great Britain. That November, a Tennessee force was ordered to the defense of New Orleans. He managed to defeat a much larger British force that included more troops, supplies, and naval forces. Jackson was also responsible for defeating some of the Native American tribes of Kentucky and Tennessee. He negotiated the purchase of most of Western Kentucky from the Indians. To this day, this section of land is known as the "Jackson Purchase."

Jackson was a stern person, some say cruel, at times, with a rigid moral code and an unfailing belief in Christianity. There seems to be no record of his complaining about hunger, thirst, tiredness nor pain throughout his life. "Old Hickory," indeed.