John Quincy Adams

American Visionary

By: Fred Kaplan

Narrated by: Eric Jason Martin

Fred Kaplan, the acclaimed, award-winning author of Lincoln, returns with John Quincy Adams, an illuminating biography of one of the most overlooked presidents in American history - a leader of sweeping perspective whose progressive values helped shape the course of the nation. In this fresh and lively biography rich in literary analysis and new historical detail, Fred Kaplan brings into focus the dramatic life of John Quincy Adams - the little known and much misunderstood sixth president of the United States and the first son of John and Abigail Adams - and persuasively demonstrates how Adams's inspiring, progressive vision guided his life and helped shape the course of America.

Kaplan draws on a trove of unpublished archival material to trace Adams's evolution from his childhood during the Revolutionary War to his brilliant years as Secretary of State to his time in the White House and beyond. He examines Adams's myriad sides: the public and private man, the statesman and writer, the wise thinker and passionate advocate, the leading abolitionist and fervent federalist who believed strongly in both individual liberty and the government's role as an engine of progress and prosperity. In these ways - and in his energy, empathy, sharp intellect, and powerful gift with words both spoken and written - he was a predecessor of Lincoln and, later, FDR and Obama. Indeed, this sweeping biography makes clear how Adams's forward-thinking values, his definition of leadership, and his vision for the nation's future is as much about 21st-century America as it is about Adams's own time.

Meticulously researched and masterfully written, John Quincy Adams paints a rich portrait of this brilliant leader and his significance to the nation and our own lives.

©2014 Fred Kaplan (P)2014 Audible Inc.

Freshly retired 71 yr old lawyer

Fabulous review of the struggles of my nation, most relevant to the current struggles of our Republics decline. What a "stud" he was and what he sacrificed for his country is unsurpassed by the current thieves, cowards and semiliterates in Wash DC today. Doug

A truly reviting and epic life!

This has been my favorite presidential biography yet! the story itself is fascinating and this biographer captures all of the complex nuances of Quincy's life. The reader's cadence is annoying and slow. I listen at 1.15x speed and it helped, but is still inferior to others.

Engrossing

I recently read a review of Kaplan’s John Quincy Adams American Visionary. I was impressed with the review and decided to read Kaplan’s book. I had read Harlon Giles Unger’s “John Quincy Adams” in August 2014. Unger’s book took ten hours to read and Kaplan’s is twenty-seven hours and thirty-nine minutes or 672 pages.

The book is well written and researched. Kaplan provides an in-depth view of the life of JQA. Not only does Kaplan review the history of the times but also covers an inside look at politics of the era. JQA was a most interesting man. He had a brilliant mind and spoke seven languages. JQA was the first president elected by winning the electoral college and losing the popular vote. I found Adams’ view of political parties on the mark. Kaplan covers Adams’ role in the fight for universal education insightful. Our battle over universal health care is only a continuation of Adams’ battle about the basic fundamental view/belief in what are or not human rights. Adams stated without an educated electorate democracy will fail. The author also describes Adams’ critical role in the creation of the Smithsonian Institution. I have been interested in the Adams’ family and have read extensively about them. Kaplan provides a thorough look at the life of JQA. This is an excellent read.

I read this as an audiobook downloaded from Audible. The book is twenty-seven hours and thirty-nine minutes. Eric Jason Martin does an excellent job narrating the book. Martin has won both an Earphone Award and the Audie Award.

Excellent Biography of a Great American

This is a well-written, thoroughly-researched biography of an American president whose contributions to the country are sometimes forgotten. Nuanced portrait of a complex man.

Great book!

Very much enjoyed this book, thank you so much to the author for wonderful work.

His indomitable spirit

Simply an amazing man who gave his childhood and every day forward to the principles of America

Magnificent storytelling for a magnificent man

This is my sixth presidential biography on Audible and is second only to McCullough's on JQA's father. I had to get used to the narrator initially, but he ended up being one of my favorites thus far. 10/10!

Great Book – Great Leader!

I recommend this book.

The author, Fred Kaplan, wrote a very good book about John Quincy Adams.

I also really enjoyed the stories of John Quincy Adams (JQA) and him growing up with his father, President John Adams. JQA was a public servant as his number one job. I was very interested in how JQA became President and then took a “demotion” to serve in the House of Representatives. JQA worked until the day he died. Amazing life. Helped the black Africans from becoming slaves (the movie Amistad). Anti-slavery.

JQA was also a good family man, loving his wife and children.

I am also reading the book on JQA by James Traub. However, Traub’s book spends more time on JQA’s negative aspects, such as JQA’s depression. It’s interesting reading two very different books on the same man.

Overall comments?
Very good listen. The narrator does a great job.

Excellent presidential biography

I loved everything. First: the material. An amazing man whose life story is presented in an interesting way. Second: the narrator's voice is mellifluous - not irritating.

Great book. Narration could be better.

Informative and smooth style. Narration is not my style. However, I still highly recommend this audio book