The Last Founding Father

James Monroe and a Nation's Call to Greatness

By: Harlow Giles Unger

Narrated by: Michael McConnohie

Length: 12 hrs and 23 mins

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.

Critic reviews

"[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)

Big fan of Monroe

I knew nothing about Monroe prior to reading this book. Easily one of my favorite presidents now. Worth the read.

James Monroe

Thank You, Mr. Unger!

I can't believe that I was so totally unaware of the contributions of James Monroe. He has been totally eclipsed by Washington, Jefferson and Lincoln, but according to Mr. Unger he may have been as instrumental as anyone in the success of the war for independence and he apparently played a large role in the Louisiana Purchase.

Without James Monroe would we even have the country we know today? It appears doubtful.

I was also unaware of the huge role he played in James Madison's administration and how successful his own two administrations were.

It is interesting that his popularity literally eliminated the two party system and may have contributed to problems in future years.

I found it a very informative read and would encourage others to learn more about James Monroe.

Hard to swallow

I took great exception to some of Mr. Unger's language repeatedly portraying "indians" as "marauding" and other unfavorable adjectives. I believe that the author embraces Manifest Destiny. I would recommend a more "woke" author who doesn't believe Madison was a hero.

Entertaining but highly biased

I wonder if the author is a distant descendant of James Monroe, as I cannot understand otherwise why he was motivated to write such a biased and whitewashed biography. James Monroe was doubles a great man who did many great things for this country. Mr. Unger highly exaggerates this greatness, painting Monroe and his work as greater than all of the other founding fathers, Washington included.
That being said, this biography did leave me with a greater understanding of that era in American history and the contributions James Monroe made to making this country great. I just wish it had been a little more balanced.

I Had No Idea

I had no idea how big a player in America’s founding James Monroe was. Very inspiring and fruitful life!

Overall a great book

This was a very good biography of James Monroe. I learned a lot of about this president. 40 years ago when I was in elementary school, we pretty much only learned about the Monroe doctrine and the war of 1812 when they came to Monroe. This book did a great job of explaining, those events and policies. I know I have an opinion of James Monroe that puts him in the top tier of all American presidents.

Excellent, but biased

While this book was very well written, informative, and entertaining, it becomes clear within the first few sentences that Unger idolizes Monroe and that the book will continuously praise and deeply discuss all of his positive aspects, while ignoring or brushing off some of his more negative ones. He largely discounts the accomplishments of many of the other founding fathers in an effort to make Monroe stand out as their superior. All that being said, it is still a very good book, and I thoroughly enjoyed it.

Over generous biography of a 2nd rate president

Would you try another book from Harlow Giles Unger and/or Michael McConnohie?

Unger is a good writer but this book is not as good as his biography of John Marshall.
He tries to make Monroe into a greater man then he was. Monroe was a very poor man's Madison, who's hero and mentor was Jefferson.

What was the most interesting aspect of this story? The least interesting?

The most interesting was Monroes relationship to Jefferson and Madison.
The least interesting is Monroe the man.

Did Michael McConnohie do a good job differentiating all the characters? How?

Not really, he is a very ordinary reader who I would not necessarily choose to hear again

Do you think The Last Founding Father needs a follow-up book? Why or why not?

Not unless Unger takes a more critical view of Monroe and a less antagonistic one to his enemies in the Federalist party

Excellent

Fascinating look at one of the early presidents and his astonishing impact on the development of the United States.

An Excellent Selection

Well written and superbly narrated this book will be enjoyed by anyone who appreciates history.
I learned a many facts about Mister Monroe and his family.
Mister Monroe, an amiable man, used his love of family and quest for truth to guide him through out his life and to our highest elected office.