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(as of Aug 10, 2024 06:51:06 UTC – Details)
By: Harlow Giles Unger (Author)
From the New York Times bestselling author, the…
Last Founding Father: James Monroe and a Nation’s Call to Greatness
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Regina Lindsey –
Enlightening on a Man Largely Forgotten by History
James Monroe, as the last founding father to serve in the White House truly does close an era of history. Unfortunatley both he and Elizabeth Monroe have been largely overlooked by history to our detriment since there is much to learn from this family.As a young man Monroe joined the revolutionary cause and fought bravely for this country, surviving a life threatening wound. Following in Washington’s footsteps he didn’t accept payment for his service. This would set the stage for a lifetime of financial sacrifice in his country’s service.His political career included serving as a foreign diplomat, senator, and as a governor that forever changed the role of Governor of Virginia, and finally Preisdent of the United States.Unger portrays Monroe as an affable man who knew how to nurture relationships, queit until pushed by passion to act boldly even disregarding the Constitution at times, politically astute, a true unifer as he destroyed the two party political system for a time, and a visionary who successfully increased the land mass of the country and set forth the famous Monroe Doctrine.Elizabeth Monroe is portrayed as a fascinating, beautiful, highly educated and courageous woman. Thier marriage and dedication to each other rival John and Abigail Adams.Unger does an incredible job of completely telling the story of James Monroe and providing important details where they belong. For those who find biographies fraught with too much detail that will not be an issue here. Those who want a complete understanding of the subject will find it with Unger.
Robert G. Rosenthal –
An unknown, underrated Founding Father
James Monroe, the last founding father is probably the least known and understood of those who created the concept of the United States. I admit, my knowledge of Monroe was his drafting of the Bill of Rights in the US Constitution and the “Monroe Doctrine.”Unger does a very good job of chronicling Monroe’s life. Unlike other Founding Fathers, he was not from a wealthy family. He did have a good education, and basically apprenticed with Washington and Jefferson. As a politician, he was a true centrist and followed his conscious to the extent that the Constitution permitted.He was a decorated and wounded war hero, a member of the Continental Congress, Governor of Virginia, Secretary of State, Secretary of War, and the fifth President of the United States. He was responsible for extending the boundaries of the United States to the Pacific Ocean.It was during his time working under James Madison where he flourished. During the War of 1812, Madison proved how dysfunctional he was as a leader and a President. Madison’s Secretary of War was ineffective, and after a protracted period, he appointed Monroe to that position. Through a series of strategic moves, he bottled up the British and made them realize they would eventually bankrupt Great Britain if they continued to pursue the war.During the last year or so of Madison’s Presidency, Monroe had the reigns of the country. When he ran, he won by a landslide.His time as President was not without controversy, but he achieved more than any other President up to his time, and more than most have since. Along with expanding the boundaries of the country, he presided over a period of unprecedented growth in personal income and GDP. And, he was responsible for the Monroe Doctrine. Interestingly, I don’t think he knew the future impact of this statement. Delivered in the Inaugural Address to his second term, the Monroe Doctrine was delivered as three sentences at the start, and a few more throughout. Yet, the simple statement made that warned European powers not to interfere with the Western Hemisphere has a strong impact even to this day.His failure as a President was one of his greatest successes. Because of his popularity and his ability to bring people together, he caused the Federalist Party to fall apart, leaving only the Democrat-Republicans. The elimination of the second party allowed personal power to go unchecked in Congress. Personal ambitions allowed people to assert their own beliefs over that of everyone else. Monroe lost his ability to control the rest of government because there were no parties to keep people in check.While there is much criticism to this day of the two party system in the United States, the merging into one party is clearly not a solution. It would be a very interesting experiment in government to introduce a third political party in the United States to see how a third voice at the table would impact the decisions made by the people, and the government.In all, this was an enjoyable book to read.
Feli-Mar Barbero –
great book reading
Amazon Customer –
First biography I have managed to find on this US President. Well constructed and written, factual and concise. A founding father who resides amongst the unknown presidents but should be higher in the pentheon of great presidents.
Key Perspective –
Excellent read of an interesting life well lived
HAMET PHILIPPE –
A marvellous book to read in one shot. It let me discover the impressive personnality of this man I now find great. Very well written