GREAT READS

A Being So Gentle: The Frontier Love Story of Rachel and Andrew Jackson

Patricia Brady.

If you like biographies, American history, politics and an enduring love story, pick up "A Being So Gentle" by Patricia Brady. This is the frontier love story of Rachel and Andrew Jackson.

Much has been written about the Jackson's courtship and marriage or as some have written, non-marriage, because of contraversies over the legitamacy of Rachel's divorce from her first husband. Brady, a social and cultural historian, has brought the Jacksons' personalities and pursuits to life on these pages after doing several years of research and the result is a sensitive, informative and satisfying read.

Many love stories end tragically as did this one. Andrew became President of the United States, but Rachel died before he took office. This true story tells of the devotion, passion and many partings as Jackson fought his way to the top politically, played out during a pivotal time in America's history.

Recommended by Ruth Ann Johnson