Today’s nonfiction post is on John Quincy Adams: American Visionary by Fred Kaplan. It is 673
pages long and is published by HarperCollins. The cover has a picture of Adams
on it looking very dignified. There is no strong language, no sex, and no
violence in this book. But it is written in a very scholarly tone so I think
that older teens and adults are going to enjoy this book the most. There Be
Spoilers Ahead.
From the back of the book- In this fresh and lively
biography, rich in literary analysis and new historical detail, Fred Kaplan
brings into focus the dramatic life of John Quincy Adams- the little-known and
much-misunderstood sixth president of the United States, and the first son of
John and Abigail Adams- and persuasively demonstrates how Adams’s inspiring,
progressive vision guided his life and helped shape the course of America.
Kaplan draws on a trove of unpublished archival material to trace Adam’s evolution from his childhood during the Revolutionary War to his brilliant years as secretary of state to his time in the White House and beyond. He examines Adams’s myriad sides: the public and private man, the statesman and writer, the wise thinker and passionate advocate, the leading abolitionist and fervent federalist who believed strongly in both individual liberty and the government’s role as an engine of progress and prosperity. In this ways- and in his energy, empathy, sharp intellect, and powerful gift with words both spoken and written- Adams was a predecessor Lincoln and , later, FDR and Obama. This sweeping biography makes clear how Adams’s forward-thinking values, his definition of leadership, and his vision for the nation’s future is as must about twenty-first century American as it is about Adams’s own time.
Meticulously researched and masterfully written, American Visionary paints a rich portrait of the brilliant leader and his significance to the nation and our own lives.
Kaplan draws on a trove of unpublished archival material to trace Adam’s evolution from his childhood during the Revolutionary War to his brilliant years as secretary of state to his time in the White House and beyond. He examines Adams’s myriad sides: the public and private man, the statesman and writer, the wise thinker and passionate advocate, the leading abolitionist and fervent federalist who believed strongly in both individual liberty and the government’s role as an engine of progress and prosperity. In this ways- and in his energy, empathy, sharp intellect, and powerful gift with words both spoken and written- Adams was a predecessor Lincoln and , later, FDR and Obama. This sweeping biography makes clear how Adams’s forward-thinking values, his definition of leadership, and his vision for the nation’s future is as must about twenty-first century American as it is about Adams’s own time.
Meticulously researched and masterfully written, American Visionary paints a rich portrait of the brilliant leader and his significance to the nation and our own lives.
Review- I did enjoy this biography but it is not easy
to read; it is 672 pages long and only 17 chapters. It is very scholarly and
very in-depth to the subject. I knew very little about Quincy Adams before this
book and now I like our sixth president. Much of Kaplan’s resources are letters
and dairy entrees from Quincy Adams himself so I feel that I have a good idea
about how the man really was. Kaplan’s’ writing style is readable but the subject
is very intense. Kaplan gives a full account of Quincy Adams life from birth to
death. He gives full essays that Quincy Adams wrote; gives full length poetry
and dairy entrees. Those touches give this biography something very special and
genuine. My only complaint is that it is only 17 chapters. When you sit down to
read it you are going to be there awhile so I had to make sure that I had
everything that needed to be done before I sat down with this book. I do
recommend it and I did enjoy it very much.
I give this book a Five out of Five stars. I was given this
book by HarperCollins in exchange for an honest review.
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