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Even though Zachary Taylor was our 12th president and was the leading general who won the Mexican-American War, he is little-remembered today. He was born in Virginia, descended from the Pilgrims in New England, and moved to Kentucky with his family and mainly grew up there. Old Rough and Ready, by Bob and Jan Young, tells Taylor’s biography for middle school readers. “Old Rough and Ready” was an affectionate nickname given to him by his troops, denoting his disdain for elaborate military formality and his identification with his men. The Youngs’ book reads like a Landmark book, which is high praise indeed from me, who is a long-term admirer (and reader) of that series.
Bob Young (1916 to1969) and Jan Young (1919 to 1994) were both native Californians and met in college. Sharing an interest in writing, they became a married author team who produced mainly YA literature, historical biographies, and historical fiction, while at the same time raising four children.