The Middle Generation

A Novel of John Quincy Adams and the Monroe Doctrine

De: M. B. Zucker

Narrado por: Michael F. Walworth

John Quincy Adams is the missing link in the classical era of American history which began with the Revolution and ended with Emancipation.

Between these bookends lies the absorbing yet overshadowed epic of a new nation spearheading liberty's cause in a world skeptical of freedom arriving at all, much less in slaver's garb. M. B. Zucker takes listeners back to that adolescent country in the care of an enigmatic guide, John Quincy Adams, heir to one president by blood and another, Washington, by ideology. Adams is the missing link between the founders and Abraham Lincoln, and is nigh unanimously regarded as America's foremost Secretary of State. Through Adams' eyes, listeners will experience one of history's greatest and most forgotten crises: his showdown with Europe over South American independence, the conflict which prefigured the Monroe Doctrine.

With his signature dialogue and his close study of Adams' 51-volume diary, M. B. Zucker's The Middle Generation is a political drama and character piece that surpasses his achievement in The Eisenhower Chronicles and ascends to the cinematic heights of the historical epics of David Lean and Steven Spielberg. It is an unforgettable portrait and a leap forward for one of our rising historical fiction novelists.

©2023 M. B. Zucker (P)2025 M. B. Zucker

Reseñas de la Crítica

"M. B. Zucker goes well beyond a story of simple political intrigue. He offers one of the most moving literary portraits of a President I have ever encountered." -Dr. Jeffery Tyler Syck, Author of The Revolution of 1828: John Quincy Adams, Andrew Jackson, and the Origins of American Democracy

A compelling and timely novel

M.B. Zucker’s The Middle Generation is a compelling and timely novel that illuminates the often-overlooked era between the American Revolution and the Civil War. Through the lens of John Quincy Adams, a brilliant yet conflicted figure, the book masterfully explores the tensions of a young nation struggling to survive though tensions seek to rip it apart both without and within. Adams navigates political ambition and moral virtue, balances America’s founding ideals against unresolved conflicts like slavery, and mediates between European monarchies and emerging republics in the Americas. The title perfectly captures this generation’s pivotal role, caught between revolutionary fervor and civil strife, as well as Adams’ personal quest for balance in a fractured political landscape.

This book needs to be essential reading for today, offering insight into America’s formative struggles. Modern readers may question why the Founders didn’t swiftly resolve issues like slavery, but Zucker vividly illustrates the complex political, regional, and generational forces Adams and the country faced. The novel highlights the diverse perspectives of the time, revealing parallels to today’s polarized politics. It fosters a renewed appreciation for this generation’s challenges and their relevance to our own.

The audiobook enhances the experience. Initially, the narrator’s stern, stoic delivery seemed limiting, but it proves to be a deliberate choice, reflecting Adams’ austere character. But the narrator’s range shines through with distinct, lively voices for various other characters that keeps the listen fresh and entertaining. This immersive performance elevates the storytelling, blending gravitas with engaging variety for a truly memorable listen.