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)

Compelling story of an under estimated president

I have read Unger’s biographies of John Quincy Adams, Patrick Henry and George Washington and have enjoyed his writing style.

The author does a good job telling the story of the pre-presidential years in a fast paced informative succinct manner. In the book Unger claims Monroe alone wrote the Monroe Doctrine. Yet in his biography of John Q. Adams he implied John Q. helped Monroe author the document. Unger states that Monroe was not a strategic thinker but he describes him as hard working, observant and popular. Madison had the advantage of being president during the post war economic boom. He was the first president to do away with taxes including property taxes as the government was making a good income from other fee such as tariff fees.

Unger does go into the role and contribution of Monroe’s wife Elizabeth Kortright Monroe, who revealed great courage in obtaining the freedom of Lafayette’s wife Adrienne and her family from prison during the Reign of Terror during the French Revolution. James Monroe was the Ambassador to France during the Reign of Terror. Elizabeth Monroe was considered to be an outstanding First Lady even as she struggled with rheumatoid arthritis. I have read bits and pieces of this daring, courage act by Elizabeth Monroe in facing the prison officials holding a peerage family being held for the guillotine and rescuing them. I wish someone would write a book about this feat of Elizabeth Monroe. I think this would make a good doctoral thesis as little has been written about the event.

In 2014 I read two different biographies about James Madison, and they differ a bit from the figure that Unger paints in this book. I noted in the other biographies that Madison bought Monroe’s dishes and furniture to help him feed his family when Monroe fell into financial problems.

The author points out that Monroe was the only early president other than George Washington to be elected to two terms unopposed. Monroe was the only early president other than George Washington to tour the country while he was president. The book was well written, meticulously research and a delight to read. For those who love trivia the book has lots of trivia facts. The book was narrated by Michael McConnohie.

Excellent, Engrossing, Satisfying

The narration was mildly growly and affected at moments, yet I consider his performance one of the best I've heard in an audio book. Excellent. subject of this book was quite an honorable man, and learning how he deported himself was inspiring. Very well-written book.

Lacks Objectivity

Unger seems so taken with Monroe that he is unable to give objective commentary. He seems desperate to put him on equal footing (at least) with Madison and Jefferson. To this end Unger makes the laughable assertion that all of the presidents between Washington and Monroe were merely caretaker presidents. A lot if good information in this book, but given its near worshipful tone, I do not recommend it to anyone unfamiliar with the period.

Slightly biased?

Very good book and excellent presentation of the material, but it came across as if the Monroe was the greatest president ever other than Washington. Other sources put him in the top half, but where this book portrays Madison's administration as a total disaster, and Monroe's as saving the nation from that disaster, other sources I seen show the both ranked fairly equally as effective presidents. Regardless, I enjoyed it and would recommend it.

Feels like a hagiography more than biography

I am far from a historian, but I’ve read/listened to a fair amount from this general time period. None of the other biographies I’ve read make their guy out to be a demigod. There are statements in the beginning/intro that remind me of the most obnoxious spin of today. More measured praise would make the text more believable. I don’t regret having listened, but it makes me wish there were another good Monroe biography to listen and compare.

somewhat good

somewhat good I listen to most of the founding fathers now and although Monroe had a very prolific life the way the story was written it seemed to jump around an awful lot nothing wrong with that just not as smooth as others I've listened to still a good reading

Good introduction, Worth Listening To.

In this biography Harlow Giles Unger brings us a portrait of a man who few know much about today. Born in colonial Virginia Monroe was orphaned at a young age. He took on the responsibility of raising his younger siblings. When the American Revolution broke out Monroe joined up. He became an officer, was wounded at the Battle of Trenton, was decorated by Washington. He served as a Congressman, a Senator, as Governor of Virginia, and as Ambassador to the French Republic. Later he would serve as Secretary of State and Secretary of War under James Madison. He would then succeed Madison as President.

This book has its good and bad points. It is well written and should be easy for the general reader. It is quite informative and gives a good portrait of Monroe. On the downside the author tries a little to hard to build up Monroe by pulling down others around him. Monroe was a firm supporter of the French Revolution and, like Jefferson and Madison, cheered on the slaughter of the former ruling class. This is played down considerably in this book. The author also finds it necessary to try and pull down the character of both John Adams and his son John Quincy Adams. Since the younger Adams was the Secretary of State during Monroe's presidency much credit is given to him for the success of the United States in that era. Unger tries to argue that Monroe was the better diplomat. The only reason that he gives is that Monroe was ambassador to France and Adams was not. He ignores the fact that Adams had been involved in Foreign service for most of his life, including a stint as the secretary and interpreter to the first US ambassador to Russia when he was a young teenager. Adams had served as Ambassador to Prussia and Russia. He had helped to negotiate the Treaty of Ghent. To dismiss his many accomplishments with a single backhanded comment was quite uncalled for.

It is a good book and is well worth reading.

Wonderful!

Excellent telling of Monroe's story! The author offers great background material. The book is well read.

Great Read

If you could sum up The Last Founding Father in three words, what would they be?

very well presented

Who was your favorite character and why?

James Monroe

Which scene was your favorite?

Andrew Jackson at the John Quincy Adams inauguration ball.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

A true patriot.

Any additional comments?

such a good story

Integrity Matters

I learn something immediately about James Monroe on the first few pages of this biography. I am a better student of history having read Unger's brilliant research and presentation. I have a deep respect for this last founding father of the greatest nation ever founded. James Monroe is so essential for America's success in his early years through his last. Men of outstanding character and integrity are true role models worthy of emulation. James is honored throughout the world as such a man. I am not surprised to learn what a devout man of God he is but one who did not use his Christianity as a political tool to lazily rationale his actions. Here is a man who has a tall stature, like George Washington, who commands a room full of dignitaries because of his intelligence, insight, courage, convictions, and behavior. Unger does not only focus on James but on his immediate family, relatives, and broad range of friends. Much of the American heritage I read attributes the men who came before Monroe for many of the accomplishments that James plays an integral part in either forming or finalizing. He helps usher in a time of burgeoning prosperity that strengthens the young United States of America but always with difficulty and hardship. He endures for duty's sake being his best for God, family, and country. He is truly an American hero deserving of the title, "Great."