John Quincy Adams, America’s fifth president, had big shoes to fill. Not only was he the first presidential scion to ascend to the country’s top office, he was the start of a new brand of presidents – those who didn’t have their hands in creating the Declaration of Independence or the Constitution. But much like his father, there was more to the man than just his term in office. William J. Cooper explores John Quincy’s life both before and after the presidency with extreme detail in The Lost Founding Father, his biography from birth through death. Providing stories of his time as a diplomat and of his time in office after the presidency, this is a look into the personal relationships in Adams’ life as well as his political motivations.
I give The Lost Founding Father 4 out of 5 stars. I learned so many new facts about John Quincy Adams through this book. However, there were times that this delved into the realm of textbook reading with copious details and little flair. I had forgotten that John Quincy was the first president to hold another elected federal position after his term. I appreciate the way Cooper explored the parallels between John Quincy and his father, but also the differences. I also appreciate the way the author linked John Quincy to future presidents through their cursory encounters.
This is a great book for readers looking to learn more about a president that doesn’t get much time in the history books. As a one-term president, John Quincy’s time is usually reduced to a footnote about being the son of a former president only. I would recommend this to students as well – the details shared here were new to me. Both high school and college students would benefit from this book. I would also suggest this book for readers interested in early American history and congressional decisions of the early 19th century.
I chose The Lost Founding Father as my non-fiction read for December. As I continue to read about our American Presidents, I am always looking for book suggestions. Do you have any books you’d recommend for my 2025 nonfiction reads? Drop them in the comments below!
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What I’m Reading
- Current print book: Streets of Laredo, Larry McMurtry
- Current audio book: She Doesn’t Have a Clue, Jenny Elder Moke
- Book I’m most looking forward to: A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder, Holly Jackson
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