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  • The Last Founding Father

  • James Monroe and a Nation's Call to Greatness
  • Written by: Harlow Giles Unger
  • Narrated by: Michael McConnohie
  • Length: 12 hrs and 23 mins
  • 3.0 out of 5 stars (1 rating)

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The Last Founding Father

Written by: Harlow Giles Unger
Narrated by: Michael McConnohie
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Publisher's Summary

In this lively and compelling biography, Harlow Giles Unger reveals the dominant political figure of a generation. A fierce fighter in four critical Revolutionary War battles and a courageous survivor of Valley Forge and a near-fatal wound at the Battle of Trenton, James Monroe (1751 - 1831) went on to become America's first full-time politician, dedicating his life to securing America's national and international durability.

Decorated by George Washington for his exploits as a soldier, Monroe became a congressman, a senator, U.S. minister to France and Britain, governor of Virginia, secretary of state, secretary of war, and finally America's fifth president.

The country embraced Monroe's dreams of empire and elected him to two terms, the second time unanimously. Mentored by each of Americas first four presidents, Monroe was unquestionably the best prepared president in our history.

Like David McCullough's John Adams and Jon Meacham's recent book on Andrew Jackson, this new biography of Monroe is both a solid listen and a stellar scholarship history in the grand tradition.
©2009 Harlow Giles Unger (P)2009 Audible, Inc.
Historical Biographies & Memoirs United States
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What the critics say

"[A] cogent reexamination of a relatively neglected American icon...Unger makes a solid and cohesive argument for Monroe's importance in the early years of the United States....A worthy attempt to rescue Monroe from obscurity for a mainstream audience." ( Kirkus Reviews)
"[A] well-written biography...Unger presents the fifth president as a man of independence and initiative rather than merely a disciple of Jefferson, Madison, and John Quincy Adams...Will appeal to a more popular audience, especially those who enjoy presidential history or studying the Founding Fathers. Historians and history students should read as well." ( Library Journal)

What listeners say about The Last Founding Father

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Unrealistic

Early, the author describes all President’s before Monroe as caretakers. At least it’s a warning to take most opinions with a grain a salt. Due to the bias, it’s hard to know how much to believe when Monroe was involved in conflicts, particularly with Madison. It felt more like a story than a well researched history.

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