John Quincy Adams: Policymaker for the Union / Edition 1

by James E. Lewis Jr.

Overview

This new book focuses on John Quincy Adams's extensive role in foreign policy, including his years as secretary of state and as president. Brief but thorough, John Quincy Adams: Policymaker for the Union analyzes Adams's foreign policy accomplishments during key moments in American history, including the Rush-Bagot Agreement, the Transcontinental Treaty, the recognition of the Spanish-American republics, and the Monroe Doctrine. At the same time, the book shows that Adams was far less successful than many historians suggest.

John Quincy Adams: Policymaker for the Union focuses on Adams's ideals of the centrality of the union to American happiness, the necessity of federal action to protect the union, and the indivisibility of foreign and domestic concerns. This book's examination of these three points casts new light on the logic behind many of Adams's accomplishments and also exposes the sources of some of his failures. This is the first study to examine how Adams's views ultimately led to his failure as a policymaker. This book is ideal for courses in diplomatic history, American history, and American political history.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780842026239
Publisher:	Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, Inc.
Publication date:	03/01/2001
Series:	Biographies in American Foreign Policy , #7
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	164
Product dimensions:	6.46(w) x 8.94(h) x 0.51(d)

About the Author

James E. Lewis, Jr. has taught at Hollins University, Louisiana State University, Widener University, and the University of Pennsylvania. He is the author of The American Union and the Problem of Neighborhood: The United States and the Collapse of the Spanish Empire, 1783-1829 (1998).

Table of Contents

Chapter 1 The Education of John Quincy Adams, 1767-1807 Chapter 2 The Storms of War and Peace, 1807-1817 Chapter 3 A Dangerous Neighborhood, 1817-1821 Chapter 4 A Frustrating World, 1821-1825 Chapter 5 A Troubled Presidency, 1825-1829 Chapter 6 An Unexpected Career, 1829-1848

What People are Saying About This

James Roger Sharp

A highly readable and insightful biography of John Quincy Adams, a complex, brilliant, and often contentious and cantankerous man who held virtually every major national office that could be bestowed upon him.
—(James Roger Sharp, Syracuse University)

Peter S. Onuf

This book should be required reading for anyone interested in the political history of the United States in its formative decades.
—(Peter S. Onuf, Thomas Jefferson Memorial Foundation Professor of History, Univ. of Virginia)

Lawrence S. Kaplan

The most impressive single volume to date on the foreign policies of John Quincy Adams. Lewis presents Adams's failures as well as his successes, his shortcomings as well as his virtues.
—(Lawrence S. Kaplan, Kent State Univ.)

Editorial Reviews

A highly readable and insightful biography of John Quincy Adams, a complex, brilliant, and often contentious and cantankerous man.

James Roger Sharp

This book should be required reading not only for students of early American diplomatic history, but for anyone interested in the political history of the United States in its formative decades.

Peter S. Onuf

The most impressive single volume to date on the foreign policies of John Quincy Adams. It is a succinct but comprehensive account of one of America's most distinguished diplomatists. Lews presents Adams's failures as well as his successes, his shortcomings as well as his virtues, while observing the consistency of a statesman whose devotion to a strong union never wavered in the face of changing political environments.

Lawrence S. Kaplan

Lewis (Louisiana State U.) focuses on Adams' role in foreign policy, both as secretary of state and as president, analyzing Adams' accomplishments during key moments including the Rush-Bagot Agreement, the Transcontinental Treaty, and the Monroe Doctrine. He finds that Adams was far less successful in this sphere than many historians have suggested, because of his ideals in several areas: the centrality of the union to American happiness, the necessity of federal action to protect the union, and the indivisibility of foreign and domestic concerns. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

Booknews

John Quincy Adams blends history and biography in presenting a new study of the statecraft and life of John Quincy Adams, policy-maker in the early American republic. It's recommended reading for high school and college undergraduate students, as well as any non-specialist general radeing studying early American history and politics.