Recommended Book
The Last Founding Father: James Monroe and a Nation's Call to Greatness
by Harlow Giles Unger
James Monroe is less famous, and less written about, than his predecessors. One reason for this could be that Monroe's presidency, known for the "Era of Good Feelings," was a period of relative political calm and consensus following the contentious times of Jefferson and Madison. Don't let this lack of dramatic conflict or transformational events during his presidency deter you from including Monroe in your US Presidents reading list!
My recommendation is "The Last Founding Father: James Monroe and a Nation's Call to Greatness" by Harlow Giles Unger. This biography provides a comprehensive look at Monroe's life, from his early years through his time as president.
The book starts with Monroe's role as a soldier in the Revolutionary War and his close relationships with figures like Washington and Jefferson. It then continues with his diplomatic role in Europe, including playing a part in the Louisiana Purchase negotiations. Then comes Monroe's presidency, during which he oversaw major territorial expansion and introduced the Monroe Doctrine, a cornerstone of American foreign policy. As usual, the book also covers Monroe's personal life, although not in a way that made me remember anything particular about it.
My recommendation is "The Last Founding Father: James Monroe and a Nation's Call to Greatness" by Harlow Giles Unger. This biography provides a comprehensive look at Monroe's life, from his early years through his time as president.
The book starts with Monroe's role as a soldier in the Revolutionary War and his close relationships with figures like Washington and Jefferson. It then continues with his diplomatic role in Europe, including playing a part in the Louisiana Purchase negotiations. Then comes Monroe's presidency, during which he oversaw major territorial expansion and introduced the Monroe Doctrine, a cornerstone of American foreign policy. As usual, the book also covers Monroe's personal life, although not in a way that made me remember anything particular about it.
