The lost founding father : John Quincy Adams and the transformation of American politics

“A vivid and convincing account of one of the most significant—but too often overlooked—figures in our history.”—Jon Meacham, Pulitzer Prize–winning author of American Lion Overshadowed by both his brilliant father and the brash and bold Andrew Jackson, John Quincy Adams has long been dismissed as an aloof intellectual. Viciously assailed by Jackson and his populist mobs for being both slippery and effete, Adams nevertheless recovered from defeat in 1828’s presidential election to lead the nation as a lonely Massachusetts congressman in the fight against slavery. Award-winning historian William J. Cooper’s “balanced, wellsourced, and accessible work” (Publishers Weekly) demonstrates that Adams should be considered our lost Founding Father, his moral and political vision the final link to the visionaries who created our nation. With his heroic arguments in the Amistad trial forever memorialized, Adams stood strong against the expansion of slavery that would send the nation hurtling into war. This “well-crafted” (William McFeely) biography reveals Adams to be one of the most battered, but courageous and inspirational, politicians in American history. Why has John Quincy Adams been largely written out of American history when he is, in fact, our lost Founding Father? Overshadowed by both his brilliant father and the brash and bold Andrew Jackson, John Quincy Adams has long been dismissed as hyper-intellectual. Viciously assailed by Jackson and his populist mobs for being both slippery and effete, Adams nevertheless recovered from the malodorous 1828 presidential election to lead the nation as a lonely Massachusetts congressman in the fight against slavery. Now, award-winning historian William J. Cooper insightfully demonstrates that Adams should be considered our lost Founding Father, his moral and political vision the final link to the great visionaries who created our nation. With his heroic arguments in the Amistad trial forever memorialized, a fearless Adams stood strong against the Jacksonian tide, the Gag Rule, and the expansion of slavery that would send the nation hurtling into war. This game-changing biography reveals Adams to be one of the most battered but courageous and inspirational politicians in American history. Why has John Quincy Adams been largely written out of American history when he is, in fact, our lost Founding Father? Long relegated to the sidelines of history as the hyperintellectual son of John and Abigail Adams, John Quincy Adams (1767–1848), has never basked in the historical spotlight. Remembered, if at all, as an ineffective president during an especially rancorous time, Adams was humiliated in office after the contested election of 1824, viciously assailed by populist opponents for being both slippery and effete, and then resoundingly defeated by the western war hero Andrew Jackson, whose 1828 election ushered in an era of unparalleled expansion. Aware of this reputation yet convinced that Adams deserves a reconsideration, award-winning historian William J. Cooper has reframed the sixth president's life in an entirely original way, demonstrating that Adams should be considered our lost Founding Father, his morality and political philosophy the final... Profiles The Sixth American President, Sharing Insight Into His Exposure To The Ideas That Influenced The Founding Fathers, Discussing His European Travels, And Highlighting His Views On Slavery. Part One. 1767-1817 : Preparation--diplomacy And Politics. To Bring Myself Into Notice -- Only Virtue And Fortitude -- Let There Be...no Deficiency Of Earnest Zeal -- Part Two. 1817-1828 : A Vision Of A Nation--realized And Thwarted. Perhaps The Most Important Day Of My Life -- To Meet The Fate To Which I Am Destined -- Part Three. 1829-1848 : A New Path--tribulation And Confidence. An Overruling Consciousness Of Rectitude -- The First And Holiest Rights Of Humanity -- On The Edge Of A Precipice Every Step That I Take -- Our Country...is No Longer The Same -- Proceed--persevere--never Despair. William J. Cooper. Includes Bibliographical References And Index. Largely written out of American history, this book argues that John Quincy Adams is, in fact, a lost Founding Father. 526 pages, 8 unnumbered pages of plates : 25 cm