A man's twenty-seventh year is "critical;" according to Charles Francis Adams. And so his proved. Twenty-five at the start of these volumes; Adams had yet to embark on the public career that would mark him a statesman; but by their conclusion he had been drawn into the maelstrom of politics. It was an unwilling plunge; dictated by what both he and his father; John Quincy Adams; regarded as betrayal of the elder Adams by Daniel Webster and his Whigs. Once in; however; he showed himself politically adept.This diary; kept from January 1833 to June 1836 and hitherto unpublished; has elements of hidden personal drama. Through private meetings and caucuses and newspaper articles signed with pseudonyms; the younger Adams found effective means to carry on political activities in the face of dilemmas posed by his father's public prominence; his father-in-law's contrary persuasions; and his own preferences. He emerged with growing self-respect and solid accomplishment as political journalist - his initial vocation.The diary has fresh disclosures also about the personality of John Quincy Adams; shrewdly assessed by an observer uniquely placed to interpret domestic scenes as well as the greatly waged struggles in Washington against the Southern "slaveocracy" and 'gag rules."Colorful figures in Boston's political and social life are finely etched in outspoken appraisals characteristic of the Adamses. The diarist shows acuteness too in comments on books; sermons; paintings; the theater; and opera.
#992057 in Books 2012-11-06Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 9.43 x 1.48 x 6.67l; 2.24 #File Name: 0674066472672 pages
Review
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. Convincing analysis of the drivers of Russia's oil political complexBy OG executiveThane masterfully succeeded in uncovering the fundamental drivers of the Russian oil industry and its interdependency with the political complex through a comprehensive and convincing historical analysis; with plenty of meaningful insights and endearing anecdotes. Rooted in Soviet legacy and having gone through the 90s bust-boom roller coaster and 2000s state reconsolidation the industry is a unique globally isolated eco system; and; with Russia as a whole; is at a crossroads. A must read for any decision maker in the OG business.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Good researchBy AntonThe author is an expert in Russian OG business and Russian economics in general. This makes his story sound comprehensive and professional. However; in my view; some judgments are biased and speculative; and that is usually when the dark prospectives of Russian OG are discussed. The book is built on wide factual base and has plenty of links for follow-up reading. Overall it is a great work; highly recommended to those who interested in Russian OG history.1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. Great Detail on the Russian oil and gas industryBy William A. ThayerYes; I know that Russia has a lot of oil and gas. But this book gives the details and the problems that the Russian energy industry faces. Great detail that I have been unable to find elsewhere.
