In The Life of Andrew Jackson (1937), acclaimed biographer and journalist Marquis James recounts the life of the seventh President of the United States. It brings together in one volume two earlier Jackson biographies written by James, 1934's The Border Captain and 1937's Portrait of a President. The first part of the book is about Jackson's early life: his childhood, time in the military, and tenure as Florida governor and United States senator. The second part of the book focuses on Jackson's first, unsuccessful bid for the presidency, his ascension to the White House, his policies and political maneuverings, and his retirement and later years. The biography opens with Jackson's birth on March 15, 1767, in the Waxhaws regions between North and South Carolina. He is named after his father, who passed away a month before his birth. The elder Andrew Jackson had "strained himself lifting a log" and “took to bed in great pain”; he had died a few days later. While young Andrew never knows his father, he nonetheless grows up to be confident and bright, boasting a commanding voice and powerful presence. When Jackson is nine years old, a man visits the home of Jackson's uncle, Captain James Crawford, bringing a copy of the freshly minted Declaration of Independence. Young Jackson reads it to an assembled crowd of dozens. After reading the document, Jackson vows to fight for America's independence from Great Britain. That fight comes to the Carolinas in the spring of 1780. The British capture Jackson's uncle—now Major James Crawford—but he is later released on parole. Rebuilding his militia, he resumes fighting the British, as Jackson and his brother, Robert, visit the army camps to help out. They also assist their mother, Elizabeth, in nursing the wounded and in relaying messages.