The latest Newsweek previews a new biography of John?s favorite president:

Polk is easily our least-known consequential president. He fought the Mexican War; expanded the Union by settling claims to Texas and the Oregon Territory and by acquiring California and the Southwest; and solidified national economic policy. And?Merry is wholly persuasive in this?he accomplished most of his goals as a result of his own initiative. He was a most astute political leader.