
The Last Founding Father
James Monroe and a Nation's Call to Greatness
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Narrated by:
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Michael McConnohie
In this lively and compelling biography, Harlow Giles Unger reveals the dominant political figure of a generation. A fierce fighter in four critical Revolutionary War battles and a courageous survivor of Valley Forge and a near-fatal wound at the Battle of Trenton, James Monroe (1751 - 1831) went on to become America's first full-time politician, dedicating his life to securing America's national and international durability.
Decorated by George Washington for his exploits as a soldier, Monroe became a congressman, a senator, U.S. minister to France and Britain, governor of Virginia, secretary of state, secretary of war, and finally America's fifth president.
The country embraced Monroe's dreams of empire and elected him to two terms, the second time unanimously. Mentored by each of Americas first four presidents, Monroe was unquestionably the best prepared president in our history.
Like David McCullough's John Adams and Jon Meacham's recent book on Andrew Jackson, this new biography of Monroe is both a solid listen and a stellar scholarship history in the grand tradition.
©2009 Harlow Giles Unger (P)2009 Audible, Inc.Listeners also enjoyed...




















Critic reviews
"[A] well-written biography...Unger presents the fifth president as a man of independence and initiative rather than merely a disciple of Jefferson, Madison, and John Quincy Adams...Will appeal to a more popular audience, especially those who enjoy presidential history or studying the Founding Fathers. Historians and history students should read as well." ( Library Journal)
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This book has its good and bad points. It is well written and should be easy for the general reader. It is quite informative and gives a good portrait of Monroe. On the downside the author tries a little to hard to build up Monroe by pulling down others around him. Monroe was a firm supporter of the French Revolution and, like Jefferson and Madison, cheered on the slaughter of the former ruling class. This is played down considerably in this book. The author also finds it necessary to try and pull down the character of both John Adams and his son John Quincy Adams. Since the younger Adams was the Secretary of State during Monroe's presidency much credit is given to him for the success of the United States in that era. Unger tries to argue that Monroe was the better diplomat. The only reason that he gives is that Monroe was ambassador to France and Adams was not. He ignores the fact that Adams had been involved in Foreign service for most of his life, including a stint as the secretary and interpreter to the first US ambassador to Russia when he was a young teenager. Adams had served as Ambassador to Prussia and Russia. He had helped to negotiate the Treaty of Ghent. To dismiss his many accomplishments with a single backhanded comment was quite uncalled for.
It is a good book and is well worth reading.
Good introduction, Worth Listening To.
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Wonderful!
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If you could sum up The Last Founding Father in three words, what would they be?
very well presentedWho was your favorite character and why?
James MonroeWhich scene was your favorite?
Andrew Jackson at the John Quincy Adams inauguration ball.If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?
A true patriot.Any additional comments?
such a good storyGreat Read
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Integrity Matters
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Big fan of Monroe
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I can't believe that I was so totally unaware of the contributions of James Monroe. He has been totally eclipsed by Washington, Jefferson and Lincoln, but according to Mr. Unger he may have been as instrumental as anyone in the success of the war for independence and he apparently played a large role in the Louisiana Purchase.
Without James Monroe would we even have the country we know today? It appears doubtful.
I was also unaware of the huge role he played in James Madison's administration and how successful his own two administrations were.
It is interesting that his popularity literally eliminated the two party system and may have contributed to problems in future years.
I found it a very informative read and would encourage others to learn more about James Monroe.
James Monroe
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Hard to swallow
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That being said, this biography did leave me with a greater understanding of that era in American history and the contributions James Monroe made to making this country great. I just wish it had been a little more balanced.
Entertaining but highly biased
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I Had No Idea
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Overall a great book
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