Every time I visit New England, I am amazed at the amount of history one can discover. My trips to Vermont, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Maine, and Massachusetts have all left a mark as I learned more about the country in which I was born. However, there is still American history I have to learn, and when I saw this biography of former President John Quincy Adams (1767-1848), my curiosity piqued and I knew I had to read it. And what I found is a story every American should know, and we have author Harlow Giles Unger to thank for this remarkable biography of a president who is underrated.

Before starting the book, I was aware of Quincy’s time in office but my knowledge of his personal life and contributions to America’s development was in insufficient. I felt as if I was reading about him for the first time, which deepened my interest and enhanced my shock as I learned of his incredible life. The story begins in Braintree, Massachusetts in July 1767, when Quincy as he is known, is born to John Adams (1735-1826) and wife Abigail (1744-1818). His father served as the nation’s second president and was instrumental in his son’s personal life and political career. I noticed early in the story that Quincy had a strong bond with his parents which proved to be the foundation he needed throughout his journey. But the family was fiercely committed to education and self-improvement, themes which remained with Quincy for life.

Unger’s writing style kept me glued to the pages from beginning to end, and the narrative has an exceptionally smooth flow which maintains a steady pace as Quincy’s life moves forward. Within the first ten years of life, resistance against Britain intensified and culminated with the American Revolution for independence. The conflict, discussed in the book and witnessed by Quincy, had a profound impact on him. Although he was too young to fight the British, he witnessed the importance of independence and sacrifices by patriots resisting British rule. As he ages, the story shifts gears when he attempts to gain admission to Harvard. The saga surrounding his admission is interesting and resembles modern-day anxiety and struggles by students seeking entry into ivy-league institutions. In hindsight, we know he eventually did gain admission, and went on to complete law school. However, the legal field was not all it was thought to be but everything in the book changes when he is selected for government service by President George Washington (1732-1799).

Washington’s offer to Quincy to become America’s Minister to Holland, comes as a surprise but with the urging of his father, he accepts and embarks on a European journey that changes his life permanently. And while America had gained its independence, Europe was still embroiled in revolution and chaos. The unrest across the continent takes center stage, in particular France during the reign of King Louis XVI (1754-1793), who was overthrown and beheaded in 1793. Several years later, another ruler ascends to the throne and forces the world to recognize the name of Napoleon Bonaparte (1769-1821). He also appears later in the story as the United States expands to the south and west across North America. But there is another component to France’s story in the form of its raging war against England. I could not stop reading as the crisis plays out and challenges America’s foreign policy. What transpires is an eerie premonition of future events in which France requested United States involvement. There is also the issue of the British who have not forgotten the loss if England’s thirteen colonies. Their acts of aggression and the American response show how close we came to war with Britain for a second time.

During the period of 1974 to 1817, Adams traveled around Europe through government positions, and the details of each are too extensive to discuss here. The details are in the book and the stories are fascinating. He developed a lifetime of experience at a very young age but also found time for love which resulted in his marriage to Louisa Catherine Johnson (1775-1852) on July 26, 1797.  Their story is wholesome but the personal tragedies within the Adams family are heartbreaking. It seems for every success there was an equal tragedy which Quincy and Louisa are forced to confront. There are also issues within her family as well, emanating from her father Joshua who causes grief and chaos through his own financial failures. But destiny was waiting for Quincy and his return home in 1817 proved to be the change he needed.

In 1817, President James Monroe (1758-1831) chose Quincy to be his Secretary of State. This decision had monumental ramifications for Adams personally and the political landscape of America. His effectiveness  did not go unnoticed, and history buffs will instantly think of the Monroe Doctrine, which is discussed by the author. Quincy’s star continues to rise and rumors about a presidential campaign soon begin. Curiously, Louisa is not at all thrilled by Washington, and the description of the city by Unger leaves much to be desired. The physical state of Washington seems unthinkable today, but in the 1800s, it was the reality. In 1825, fate intervened, placing Adams in the White House for a single term. And instantly, opponents and opportunists move behind the scenes to secure their own political ambitions. It becomes clear that politics was never for the faint of the heart. The actions of Henry Clay (1777-1852) and John C. Calhoun (1782-1850) are questionable to say the least.

dams’ tenure in the White House is uneventful but opposing forces soon begin to form, throwing their weight behind Andrew Jackson (1767-1845). And it is here that we see the groundwork for the two political parties which dominate American politics today. Jackson is a controversial figure, and Adams was no fan. In fact, his comments about Jackson are similar to others who could not envision the “rascal” or “illiterate” in the White House. But that is exactly what happened. Quincy took his loss in stride but was far from finished with politics. And as a member of the House of Representatives he made his voice loud and clear as he argued for causes which lacked popular support.  I found this part of his story incredibly interesting and as it continues, Adams becomes more outspoken about his convictions which provoke censorship. His anti-slavery stance drew the wrath of pro-slavery congressmen and highlights the hotly contested matter of human bondage.

The outspoken congressman was forcing America to examine its moral fabric, and this won him more support than opposition. And as a gift from above, he finds himself involved in a legal case involving the Portuguese vessel Amistad, manned by slave hunters who had kidnapped Africans from Sierra Leone for transport to Cuba. Mutiny occurred and when it was over, the captain and crew lay dead. The slaves were arrested and sent ashore to the United States where they were tried in court. Adams takes up their defense and his legal training kicks into a high gear as he puts on a master class in what is known as oral argument in the legal field. Today it may absurd that a legal argument over kidnapped human beings was needed, but in 1839, slavery was both legal and encourage in parts of the world. The case and its conclusion cemented his legacy as a champion of human rights.

Behind the scenes, Quincy and Louisa go through their trials and tribulations with brief periods of distance. But she knew she could not keep him down. By January 1848, his health had significantly declined, but staying home was not an option. On February 23, he made his way to the Capitol as usual, but this day would not end like the others. In fact, what happened during the afternoon session left me speechless. But after reading the book, I could not see Adams departing any other way. He lived and died for the success and progression of the United States of America. Today he would be called “liberal” and “progressive” but in his time he was an advocate for the things we still debate today.  The amount of research required for this book could only have been staggering. The author’s beautifully compiled narrative is seductive from start to finish, and at no point in the book did I lose interest. I could not put it down and found myself eager to read more regardless of the time or location. If you are in search of a delightful book about an outstanding leader in America’s past, this is strongly recommended.

“It is of no use to discover our own faults and infirmities unless the discovery prompts up to amendment.”-  John Quincy Adams

ASIN ‏ : ‎ B008EMEH5A
Publisher ‏ : ‎ Da Capo Press (September 4, 2012)