BOOKS

American Lion: Andrew Jackson in the White House by Jon Meacham (Random House, 2008, $18) is a Pulitzer Prize-winning biography that details the tumultuous context in which Jackson fought to create a country where no state or indigenous nation was more important than the sum of the whole. Unlike his predecessors (and later James Buchanan), who thought the president should primarily serve Congress, Jackson recast the presidency as the place where “the people” had their voice. For students of early presidents—or those interested in the formation of the Democratic Party—this account of a Tennessee slave owner whose policies displaced so many Native Americans is required reading.—Everett J. Thomas

Billy Graham and the Rise of the Republican South by Steven P. Miller (University of Pennsylvania Press, 2009, $29.95) explores the complexities of Graham’s participation and influence in social movements of his time—the civil rights movement in particular. For instance, Graham held his first intentionally desegregated southern crusade in 1953 but also established ways to “explicitly prioritize the conversion of souls over the transformation of racial sentiments,” Miller writes. This biography offers invaluable insights when examining the profound influence of Graham on faith, religion and politics in the United States. Miller has taught at Goshen (Ind.) College.—Anna Groff

FILMS

Angels and Demons (PG-13) is the second Ron Howard movie based on a Dan Brown novel. Like The Da Vinci Code, this is wildly implausible, confusing and preaches a theology that is ignorant of much church history, though the film is less anti-Catholic than the book.—gh

Sin Nombre (R) follows the journey of a father, daughter and uncle from Honduras toward “el norte.” It also shows the horrific life of gang members in Mexico, one of whom meets the daughter and helps her. Their tragedies mix with movements of grace in this harrowing film.—gh

Up (PG) is Pixar’s latest animated gem, this time in 3-D. Balloon salesman Carl Fredricksen, 78, sets out for South America but finds he has a stowaway on the trip. The first half of this delightful film is brilliant. It will appeal to children, film buffs and the elderly as it touches on themes of grief, parenting and seeking purpose in one’s life.—gh

The Lemon Tree (NR) illustrates Israeli-West Bank border tensions through the powerful story of a courageous Palestinian woman who fights to protect her lemon grove, which the Israeli defense minister threatens to cut down for security reasons. When the Defense Minister’s wife takes interest in the Palestinian woman’s situation, the film explores the hope that a potential but nearly impossible friendship may bring.—ag