Penetrating; detailed; and very readable. . . . A splendid biography. --Wall Street JournalFew figures in American history have held as many roles in public life as John Quincy Adams. The son of John Adams; he was a brilliant ambassador and secretary of state; a frustrated president; and a dedicated congressman who staunchly opposed slavery. In John Quincy Adams; scholar and journalist James Traub draws on Adams's diaries; letters; and writings to evoke his numerous achievements-and failures-in office. A man of unwavering moral convictions; Adams is the father of foreign policy "realism" and one of the first proponents of the "activist government." But John Quincy Adams is first and foremost the story of a brilliant; flinty; and unyielding man whose life exemplified admirable political courage.
#963683 in Books 2006-02-13Ingredients: Example IngredientsOriginal language:EnglishPDF # 1 .70 x 5.26 x 8.32l; #File Name: 0465006345176 pages
Review
8 of 8 people found the following review helpful. Without Roots: Fantastic analysis of the Grey Doom of Relativism that afflicts our societyBy Mrs. FWe discussed this book in our Church discussion group; and it generated a ton of excitement as it nailed the major problems in politics; religion and government today; not to mention daily life. Basically; at least one major party in the U.S.; operating out of a religion of relativism; is ready to lay down and let Islamic Fascists take over our country. Mr Perea says there is a similar group of people in Europe who think all war is evil; and is unwilling to defend itself. War is not intrinsically evil anymore than death is. He said there is a moral death (natural) and an immoral death (murder). The same principle applies to war; which can be moral if it is defensive. We enjoyed the book; and plan to read the Sadness of Christ by St. Thomas MoreThe Sadness of Christ (Yale University Press Translation) next as a form of anti-relativism; as St.Thomas More; former Chancellor of England; put his head on a chopping block rather than sign a piece of paper saying King Henry VIII was the head of the Roman Catholic Church of England. Christ in "The Sadness of Christ" evidenced similar courage. IT is More's commentary on the Agony in the Garden Passages from Scripture. More wrote it during the 15 months he was in the Tower of London awaiting execution. Anyway; Without Roots addresses the liberal malaise in Europe today; but guess what the same problem afflicts the U.S. today; although to a lesser degree. God bless you. Susan Fox1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. Worth your timeBy Teresa CA clear and enlightening exchange between Pope Benedict and a prominent Italian political leader. Well worth reading.2 of 2 people found the following review helpful. Calm reading highly recommended. It is a great bookBy GHIGOPHard topics explained with clarity and deep philosophical insights. It is not for everybody and needs meditated. Calm reading highly recommended.It is a great book.
