Polk's Folly: An American Family History

By William R. Polk

Book Overview

Polk's Folly is William Polk's captivating investigation of his impressive family tree and of the broader American tale it narrates. Growing up in Texas in the late 1930s, listening to his grandmother's memories of her childhood amidst the Civil War, Polk became fascinated by tales of his family's engagement in monumental moments of our nation's history. Beginning when Robert Pollok fled Ireland in the 1680s, Polk's saga includes an Indian trader, an early drafter of the Declaration of Independence, one of our greatest presidents, heroes and rascals on both sides of the Civil War, Indian fighters, a World War I diplomat, and Polk's own brother, a journalist who reported on the Nuremberg Trials. Full of stunning detail and based on primary historical documents, Polk's Folly is a grand American chronicle that allows history to include the lives that made it happen.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0385491514
• ISBN13: 9780385491518
• Release Date: July 2001
• Publisher: Knopf Publishing Group
• Length: 576 Pages
• Weight: 1.22 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.4" x 5.2" x 8.0"

Customer Reviews

A Fascinating Tale

I was conducting research into the life of Leonidas Polk and bought Polk's Folly as the best reference to place Leonidas in the Polk family. I bought it for research and read it for enjoyment. If anyone plans to write a family history, acquire Polk's Folly as your guide. Granted, the Polk family is much more interesting than most, but William R. Polk has created a masterpiece. Reading it is like sitting on your grandfather's knee and hearing stories about the family. The only difference is that Dr. Polk is a scholar, who has conducted extensive research to support his stories. I highly recommend Polk's Folly. It is a great read and I would give it six stars, if available.

An inspiration for genealogists

I purchased Polk's Folly shortly after it first was published, but I didn't begin reading until recently. I have been surprised at how thoughts in diaries, letters, and other documents left by Polk ancestors are applicable today. For example, Leonidas Lafayette Polk (1837-1890) made sure that while conscription was initiated there would be a clause to protect conscientious objectors: "Liberty could not be preserved at the cost of personal freedom." and "The growing disparity of the rich and the poor was thus not only unjust but also profoundly antidemocratic." As a genealogist I am inspired to learn more about all of my ancestors, one of whom was a Polk. My common ancestors with those in this book are William Polk (1700-1753) and Margaret Taylor. The author presents details in history that I did not know. It's a very interesting saga.

Very Interesting, I couldn't put it down

I was given this book as a birthday present six months ago. I did not read it at that time because I did not think I would be that interested in it. Boy was I wrong. Once I started reading I could not put the book down. The book truely brings to life the history of America in a very engaging and entertaining way. I recommend this book to anybody who is interested in history or those who just enjoy a good book.

Polk's Folly

Being new to Charlotte, NC, I've started reading up on the history of Western North Carolina -- I borrowed this book from the library as the Polk family has been very prominent in this area. It was much more than I had expected: the whole panorama of the history of the United States to recent history told in terms of the people involved, and the Polk family has been very involved since early colonial days. The only era not touched on was the Spanish-American War! Well worth an addition to my personal library

The Polks' history is American History

The contribution of the Polk family is mindboggling. Author Polk captures both the extraordinary characters that built this country and disabuses readers of any notions that all of his ancestors were saints. It's the best book on American history I've ever read. As a dynasty, the Polks are true American royalty, flawed and all.