Unger seamlessly weaves the words of Adams into his narrative and Unger’s always solid research augments the story that it seems like JQA helps tell. The book is fast paced and supremely readable while not missing any aspect of JQA’s life. Harlow Giles Unger’s new biography of John Quincy Adams is well-written and superbly researched. The narration by Johnny Heller is very well done.

I will listen to this audio book again, and with pleasure. Beyond the excellent writing, the best part is that Adams the younger is just as fascinating as his father, though entirely unique as a person-definitely no clone of his famous dad. I am proud to say that I own that book in print and as an audio book. One of my favorite biographies of all time is David McCullough's 'John Adams.' It is a perfect work on the life of one of our most important founding fathers. There's a lot of info in this book, an abundance that requires time to absorb. Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting? Too many stellar moments in that man's life. JQA was an under-appreciated guiding light during the early decades of our country.Ĭan't choose. It was also interesting to learn how much he contributed to foreign diplomacy during his youth. I found it fascinating that JQA's main public contributions came after his presidency, during his long years in Congress. Yes, to further absorb the facts of Adams' life. Would you listen to John Quincy Adams again? Why?

He has also authored histories of the early Republic as well as numerous books on American education. He is the author of 20 books, including several biographies of America’s Founding Fathers.

Harlow Giles Unger, a former distinguished visiting fellow in American history at George Washington’s Mount Vernon, is a veteran journalist, broadcaster, educator, and historian. Kennedy’s Pulitzer Prize-winning Profiles in Courage.Ī magisterial biography and a sweeping panorama of American history from the Washington to Lincoln eras, Unger’s John Quincy Adams follows one of America’s most important yet least known figures. In this masterful biography, award-winning author Harlow Giles Unger reveals Adams as a towering figure in the nation’s formative years and one of the most courageous figures in American history - which is why he ranked first in John F. John Quincy Adams was all of these things and more.

He served his nation as minister to six countries, secretary of state, senator, congressman, and president. He negotiated an end to the War of 1812, engineered the annexation of Florida, and won the Supreme Court decision that freed the African captives of La Amistad. He fought for Washington, served with Lincoln, witnessed Bunker Hill, and sounded the clarion against slavery on the eve of the Civil War.

John quincy adams unger