Edition: First edition.
Binding: Hardcover
Publisher: Times Books
Date Published: 2002
ISBN-13:9780805069396ISBN:0805069399
Description: New in New jacket. New Unread First Edition 2002 as Stated Hardcover w/original DJ design different than later version Sewn binding. Cloth over boards. With dust jacket. 192 p. American Presidents (Times). Audience: General/trade. All books carefully packed in sturdy cardboard and shipped within 24 hours. read more
Binding: Hardcover
Publisher: Times Books
Date Published: 2002-08-20
ISBN-13:9780805069396ISBN:0805069399
Description: NEW. Hardcover. From an inventory that is 100% brand-new, 100% direct from the publishers' distribution channel. We carry NO pre-owned, NO remaindered. We pack in CARDBOARD to ensure the pristine quality is maintained. (Bubble-wrap alone is NOT sufficient to protect from USPS equipment. ) Guaranteed brand-NEW, protected with CARDBOARD, your satisfaction is guaranteed. BKLUVID: 9780805069396. read more
Binding: Hardcover
Publisher: Times Books
Date Published: 2002
ISBN-13:9780805069396ISBN:0805069399
Description: New. Brand New! Buy with confidence-your satisfaction is guaranteed at B-Logistics! Due to the large scale of our operation, we do not have access to the specific contents/condition of our items. Please note that Expedited shipping is not available at this time. read more
"This biography of John Quincy Adams, referred to as JQA throughout much of the book, is quite a treat. It astonishes me that so much information can be packed into such a short book (155 pages of text). Still, from my perspective, this is a satisfying book.
John Quincy Adams was truly an exceptional character to study. As a young person, he accompanied his father, John Adams, to Europe to help him in his diplomatic duties. JQA learned an immense amount, developed many useful skills (including learning different languages), and began his career of public service at a very young age.
Born in 1767, he lives a long and full life, dying in 1848. His coffin contained language was written by Daniel Webster (whom Adams detested) (Page 155): "A citizen of the United States, in the Capitol of Washington, February 23, 1848, Having served his country for half a century, And enjoyed its highest honors."
A sampling of some of his accomplishments: His service abroad while in his teens, going to Russia apart from his father to serve as an assistant to the American ambassador there (the ambassador did not speak French, and JQA's command of that language was valuable in the Russian court); His first tour of Congress was controversial as his independence led both parties to sometimes get irritated with him; His time as Secretary of State, during which he developed the Monroe Doctrine; His controversial election as President and the rough politics of his one term; his return to the House of Representatives as a cantankerous and independent Representative. His return to Congress after serving as President is extraordinary, not repeated afterwards by any former President. In his term, old as he was, he served as a stalwart against slavery, and near the end of his life (as viewers of the movie "Amistad" know) he argued before the Supreme Court of the miscarriage of justice against the enslaved Africans who had seized control of the slave ship.
All in all, a quick read and a pretty satisfying volume."
"For a short biography this wasn't too bad but it wasn't so great either. The author clearly can't stand John & Abigail Adams (John Quincy's parents) and didn't understand the background that they came from or the time they lived in. He did manage to point out some positive things about John Quincy although you do tend to leave the biography feeling like John Quincy was a person you'd rather not know - and maybe that's true, but I'd have to do other research to determine that rather than take the author's view for granted."
"Wow! JQA! Now here is a special guy :-) The first father-son presidency was a weird coincidence of both being great leaders serving terrible terms and dying with bitter hearts. The main difference though, was JQA channeled his angst and served as one of the best ex-Presidents the country has ever known.
JQA benefited from nepotism early on, when he accompanied his father overseas, graduated Harvard, set up a law practice, and served diplomatic missions for the first administrations, all thanks to John Adams' patronage and heavy hand. JQA complained often about his parents' overbearing styles, and seemed to never forgive them for breaking up his first engagement to a girl he really loved. He did not attend their funerals and seemed not to have his heart in law, the presidency, or his eventual marriage, none of which he said were his choosing. Sad, considering I liked John and Abigail in their own times.
JQA failed as a president mostly because he won a tight, tight, tight race and the opposition party felt he manipulated his win. They (Andrew Jackson and Martin Van Buren, both future presidents) never forgave JQA and set about ruining his administration. They succeeded by galvanizing the Southern states in a pro-slavery fervor and courting new Western states. JQA lost his re-election bid, went home to Boston, and declared his life over.
Except it wasn't! After a year of sulking, JQA was convinced to run for Congress, and so spent the rest of his life in the House of Representatives. There he authored a number of great trade and diplomatic treaties and did his best to annoy the new administrations. His real raison d'être came as the slavery debate heated up and gag orders were enacted to silence abolitionist members. JQA was in his oratory element; Members of the time reported him to be unbalanced and insane, and in one memorable quote, he called the Constitution a "menstrous rag," which is an insult I've never even considered.
Long story short, JQA finally defeated the gag order after years of vein-popping, House floor ranting, and he is considered an original anti-slavery leader. The stress took a toll and JQA died in the Capitol during a vote. Good or bad, this biography was interesting and sometimes even fun - JQA certainly gave his life to the betterment of the country and I'm really glad I read all about it :-)"
"This was another one that was a quick read and may be great for someone who is just looking up some quick facts for a school report. I think this is part of a presidential series. I really would have like to learn more about him. I think I learned more about him in the book I read about his father by David McCullough."
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