A veteran journalist, broadcaster, educator, and historian, Harlow Giles Unger is the author of fifteen books, including four biographies of America's Founding Fathers. He was recently named the 2008 Distinguished Visiting Fellow in American History at George Washington's Mount Vernon.
Augusta Metro Spirit, 11/4/09
"If there was ever a biography for American history, American
politics, and American patriotism fans, this is it...An incredible
journey through an incredible life at an incredible time in
history...Unger takes readers on a detailed ride through the
interactions often lost in textbook portraits and
made-for-TV-movies...Written with delicate prose and an easy to
follow narrative, Unger's portrait of Monroe would make a great
gift for the history buff in the family."
Charlottesville Daily Progress, 11/15/09
"[A] fascinating book...[that] has more to it than Unger's
meticulous accounting of accomplishments and events. There are
wonderful maps and illustrations."
InfoDad blog, 12/3/09
"Monroe emerges as more than 'just' a president: he comes across as
a multifaceted human being...Both Monroe and this period of United
States history come alive."
San Francisco Book Review and Sacramento Book Review, December
2009
"I appreciated Unger's clarity of expression. His descriptions of
the American and French Revolutions, the events surrounding the
Louisiana Purchase, and the War of 1812 are among the most lucid
I've read."
Kirkus, 8/15/09
"[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."
Richmond Times-Dispatch, 11/29/2009
"The Last Founding Father is compelling both as a biography of a
fascinating, unfairly neglected politician and a swift-reading
account of the founding of a nation."
Bookreporter.com, 12/11/2009
"Supremely well-written and enlightening...Unger shows us much more
than just a president...Unger goes a long way to opening up the
eyes of a reader to the vast value Monroe had at the founding of
our nation, and taking stock of all his achievements along the way
brings a great sense of sadness that such a patriot should be so
readily forgotten."
Boston Globe, 12/26/09
"Will do much to raise awareness of this accomplished
statesman...Unger's skills as both a storyteller and political
analyst enable him to convey the importance of the personalities
and events of early-19th-century America in a detailed and
enjoyable manner that will appeal to general readers."
Asbury Park Press, 12/20/09
"Those interested in a more thorough knowledge of the events and
personalities that carried the nation through the early 19th
century might well begin with Unger's lively portrait of the
patriot of whom Thomas Jefferson said: 'A better man cannot
be.'"
Smoke magazine, Fall 2010
"Acclaimed historian Harlow Giles Unger captures the magnitude of
Monroe's contribution to the United States. The Last Founding
Father traces the life of an extraordinary but often
under-appreciated man who was born into the chaos of
pre-revolutionary America but led it into its first period of
peace--nearly forty years after it declared its independence."
American History magazine, April 2010
"Attempts to resuscitate...the last of the great men present at the
creation of the republic."
Norfolk Virginian-Pilot, 2/21/10
"Readers unfamiliar with the two presidents--or those with a
special interest in them--will be well rewarded by perusing these
two well-crafted biographies."
Kick Ass Book Reviews, 5/6/10
"[A] fascinating book...Monroe was just as important as any other
founding father, and this biography will let you explore the
reasons why."
Tucson Citizen, "Shelf Life" blog, 10/11
"[Unger] has given Monroe the credit he richly deserves. The
foundation of this book is bedrock solid, the narrative crisply
written, and the research first rate."
Curled Up With A Good Book
"Extremely fascinating and entertaining for both the general reader
and the scholar. The veteran author has done well in researching
and writing this book...A delight to read and highly recommended to
those interested in either or both President James Monroe or early
American history."
January magazine, 10/22/09
"Harlow Giles Unger is one of those authors with the talent and
skill -- not to mention passion--to breathe life into
history--Unger builds a case for the importance of a vastly
overlooked and underrated figure, America's fifth President, James
Monroe...Unger delivers his material on a wave of adventure and a
compelling sense of importance. You won't ever see the early
history of America in quite the same way."
Yale Alumni Magazine, November/December 2009
"Unger's biography, written for a popular audience, tells the story
of one of the less familiar founding fathers."
Blogcritics.org, 9/26
"My lack of knowledge and interest in the first days of this great
country have changed with the reading of The Last Founding Father.
In the first five pages, I learned more about our fifth President,
James Monroe, than I had learned in twelve years of schooling. Mr.
Unger presents President Monroe in a way that makes him more real
and accessible than high school textbooks...Mr. Unger has presented
James Madison in the most human of ways...Monroe's story fills out
our history. Mr. Unger has completed a well written biography of a
most deserving subject."
Bookviews blog, October
"America was fortunate to have [Monroe] as president during a
critical time of growth and readers are fortunate to have this
extraordinary biography."
Booklist Online, 9/28
"In the pantheon of our Founding Fathers, James Monroe is, at best,
given a place in the second row by most historians and in public
consciousness. As Unger illustrates, that is both unfortunate and
unfair...[Unger] makes a strong case for an acknowledgement of
Monroe's greatness...This is a worthy reconsideration of the life
and accomplishments of an outstanding American statesman."
The Oklahoman, 10/11
"Tells Monroe's story in a way that keeps the reader
enthralled...It is a hard book to put down, and it flows extremely
well."
Library Journal, 9/1/09
"[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."BookPage October 2009
"[A] compelling new biography... Unger deftly guides us through
Monroe's pre-presidential period... Unger's outstanding biography
of Monroe is consistently illuminating and a fine introduction to
the subject."Internet Review of Books September 2009
"An excellent biography that sweepingly captures the grand life of
this statesman...A remarkably readable biography of a great
statesman of the new nation. The book is in many ways worthy of its
subject. The narrative has a smooth rhythm, blending the personal
and the public man. The historical context of the times is nicely
woven into the tapestry of the story and is rarely burdensome for
the common reader and impressive for its scope."
The Washington Times, 9/27
"A workmanlike study of a workmanlike president."
Augusta Metro Spirit, 11/4/09
If there was ever a biography for American history, American
politics, and American patriotism fans, this is it An incredible
journey through an incredible life at an incredible time in
history...Unger takes readers on a detailed ride through the
interactions often lost in textbook portraits and
made-for-TV-movies Written with delicate prose and an easy to
follow narrative, Unger s portrait of Monroe would make a great
gift for the history buff in the family.
Charlottesville Daily Progress, 11/15/09
[A] fascinating book [that] has more to it than Unger s meticulous
accounting of accomplishments and events. There are wonderful maps
and illustrations.
InfoDad blog, 12/3/09
Monroe emerges as more than just a president: he comes across as a
multifaceted human being Both Monroe and this period of United
States history come alive.
San Francisco Book Review and Sacramento Book Review, December
2009
I appreciated Unger s clarity of expression. His descriptions of
the American and French Revolutions, the events surrounding the
Louisiana Purchase, and the War of 1812 are among the most lucid I
ve read.
"
Kirkus, 8/15/09
[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. "
Smoke magazine, Fall 2010
Acclaimed historian Harlow Giles Unger captures the magnitude of
Monroe s contribution to the United States. The Last Founding
Father traces the life of an extraordinary but often
under-appreciated man who was born into the chaos of
pre-revolutionary America but led it into its first period of peace
nearly forty years after it declared its independence.
American History magazine, April 2010
"Attempts to resuscitate the last of the great men present at the
creation of the republic.
Norfolk Virginian-Pilot, 2/21/10
Readers unfamiliar with the two presidents or those with a special
interest in them will be well rewarded by perusing these two
well-crafted biographies.
Kick Ass Book Reviews, 5/6/10
[A] fascinating book Monroe was just as important as any other
founding father, and this biography will let you explore the
reasons why.
"
Tucson Citizen, Shelf Life blog, 10/11
[Unger] has given Monroe the credit he richly deserves. The
foundation of this book is bedrock solid, the narrative crisply
written, and the research first rate.
Curled Up With A Good Book
Extremely fascinating and entertaining for both the general reader
and the scholar. The veteran author has done well in researching
and writing this book A delight to read and highly recommended to
those interested in either or both President James Monroe or early
American history.
January magazine, 10/22/09
Harlow Giles Unger is one of those authors with the talent and
skill -- not to mention passion to breathe life into history Unger
builds a case for the importance of a vastly overlooked and
underrated figure, America s fifth President, James Monroe Unger
delivers his material on a wave of adventure and a compelling sense
of importance. You won t ever see the early history of America in
quite the same way.
Yale Alumni Magazine, November/December 2009
Unger s biography, written for a popular audience, tells the story
of one of the less familiar founding fathers.
"
Blogcritics.org, 9/26
My lack of knowledge and interest in the first days of this great
country have changed with the reading of The Last Founding Father.
In the first five pages, I learned more about our fifth President,
James Monroe, than I had learned in twelve years of schooling. Mr.
Unger presents President Monroe in a way that makes him more real
and accessible than high school textbooks Mr. Unger has presented
James Madison in the most human of ways Monroe's story fills out
our history. Mr. Unger has completed a well written biography of a
most deserving subject.
Bookviews blog, October
America was fortunate to have [Monroe] as president during a
critical time of growth and readers are fortunate to have this
extraordinary biography.
Booklist Online, 9/28
In the pantheon of our Founding Fathers, James Monroe is, at best,
given a place in the second row by most historians and in public
consciousness. As Unger illustrates, that is both unfortunate and
unfair [Unger] makes a strong case for an acknowledgement of Monroe
s greatness This is a worthy reconsideration of the life and
accomplishments of an outstanding American statesman.
The Oklahoman, 10/11
Tells Monroe's story in a way that keeps the reader enthralled It
is a hard book to put down, and it flows extremely well.
"
Library Journal, 9/1/09
[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. BookPage October 2009
[A] compelling new biography Unger deftly guides us through Monroe
s pre-presidential period Unger s outstanding biography of Monroe
is consistently illuminating and a fine introduction to the
subject. Internet Review of Books September 2009
An excellent biography that sweepingly captures the grand life of
this statesman A remarkably readable biography of a great statesman
of the new nation. The book is in many ways worthy of its subject.
The narrative has a smooth rhythm, blending the personal and the
public man. The historical context of the times is nicely woven
into the tapestry of the story and is rarely burdensome for the
common reader and impressive for its scope.
The Washington Times, 9/27
A workmanlike study of a workmanlike president.
"
"Kirkus," 8/15/09
"[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."
"Library Journal," 9/1/09
"[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.""BookPage" October 2009
"[A] compelling new biography... Unger deftly guides us through
Monroe's pre-presidential period... Unger's outstanding biography
of Monroe is consistently illuminating and a fine introduction to
the subject.""Internet Review of Books" September 2009
"An excellent biography that sweepingly captures the grand life of
this statesman...A remarkably readable biography of a great
statesman of the new nation. The book is in many ways worthy of its
subject. The narrative has a smooth rhythm, blending the personal
and the public man. The historical context of the times is nicely
woven into the tapestry of the story and is rarely burdensome for
the common reader and impressive for its scope."
"The Washington Times," 9/27
"A workmanlike study of a workmanlike president."
Blogcritics.org, 9/26
"My lack of knowledge and interest in the first days of this great
country have changed with the reading of "The Last Founding
Father." In the first five pages, I learned more about our fifth
President, James Monroe, than I had learned in twelve years of
schooling. Mr. Unger presents President Monroe in a way that makes
him more real and accessible than high school textbooks...Mr. Unger
has presented James Madison in the most human of ways...Monroe's
story fills out our history. Mr. Unger has completed a well written
biography of a most deserving subject."
Bookviews blog, October
"America was fortunate to have [Monroe] as president during a
critical time of growth and readers are fortunate to have this
extraordinary biography."
"Booklist" Online, 9/28
"In the pantheon of our Founding Fathers, James Monroe is, at best,
given a place in the second row by most historians and in public
consciousness. As Unger illustrates, that is both unfortunate and
unfair...[Unger] makes a strong case for an acknowledgement of
Monroe's greatness...This is a worthy reconsideration of the life
and accomplishments of an outstanding American statesman."
"The Oklahoman," 10/11
"Tells Monroe's story in a way that keeps the reader
enthralled...It is a hard book to put down, and it flows extremely
well."
"Tucson Citizen," "Shelf Life" blog, 10/11
"[Unger] has given Monroe the credit he richly deserves. The
foundation of this book is bedrock solid, the narrative crisply
written, and the research first rate."
"Curled Up With A Good Book"
"Extremely fascinating and entertaining for both the general reader
and the scholar. The veteran author has done well in researching
and writing this book...A delight to read and highly recommended to
those interested in either or both President James Monroe or early
American history."
"January" magazine, 10/22/09
"Harlow Giles Unger is one of those authors with the talent and
skill -- not to mention passion--to breathe life into
history--Unger builds a case for the importance of a vastly
overlooked and underrated figure, America's fifth President, James
Monroe...Unger delivers his material on a wave of adventure and a
compelling sense of importance. You won't ever see the early
history of America in quite the same way."
"Yale Alumni Magazine," November/December 2009
"Unger's biography, written for a popular audience, tells the story
of one of the less familiar founding fathers."
"Augusta Metro Spirit," 11/4/09
"If there was ever a biography for American history, American
politics, and American patriotism fans, this is it...An incredible
journey through an incredible life at an incredible time in
history...Unger takes readers on a detailed ride through the
interactions often lost in textbook portraits and
made-for-TV-movies...Written with delicate prose and an easy to
follow narrative, Unger's portrait of Monroe would make a great
gift for the history buff in the family."
"Charlottesville Daily Progress," 11/15/09
"[A] fascinating book...[that] has more to it than Unger's
meticulous accounting of accomplishments and events. There are
wonderful maps and illustrations."
InfoDad blog, 12/3/09
"Monroe emerges as more than 'just' a president: he comes across as
a multifaceted human being...Both Monroe and this period of United
States history come alive."
"San Francisco Book Review" and "Sacramento Book Review," December
2009
"I appreciated Unger's clarity of expression. His descriptions of
the American and French Revolutions, the events surrounding the
Louisiana Purchase, and the War of 1812 are among the most lucid
I've read."
"Richmond Times-Dispatch," 11/29/2009
""The Last Founding Father" is compelling both as a biography of a
fascinating, unfairly neglected politician and a swift-reading
account of the founding of a nation."
Bookreporter.com, 12/11/2009
"Supremely well-written and enlightening...Unger shows us much more
than just a president...Unger goes a long way to opening up the
eyes of a reader to the vast value Monroe had at the founding of
our nation, and taking stock of all his achievements along the way
brings a great sense of sadness that such a patriot should be so
readily forgotten."
"Boston Globe," 12/26/09
"Will do much to raise awareness of this accomplished
statesman...Unger's skills as both a storyteller and political
analyst enable him to convey the importance of the personalities
and events of early-19th-century America in a detailed and
enjoyable manner that will appeal to general readers."
"Asbury Park Press," 12/20/09
"Those interested in a more thorough knowledge of the events and
personalities that carried the nation through the early 19th
century might well begin with Unger's lively portrait of the
patriot of whom Thomas Jefferson said: 'A better man cannot
be.'"
"Smoke" magazine, Fall 2010
"Acclaimed historian Harlow Giles Unger captures the magnitude of
Monroe's contribution to the United States. "The Last Founding
Father" traces the life of an extraordinary but often
under-appreciated man who was born into the chaos of
pre-revolutionary America but led it into its first period of
peace--nearly forty years after it declared its independence."
"American History" magazine, April 2010
"Attempts to resuscitate...the last of the great men present at the
creation of the republic."
"Norfolk Virginian-Pilot," 2/21/10
"Readers unfamiliar with the two presidents--or those with a
special interest in them--will be well rewarded by perusing these
two well-crafted biographies."
Kick Ass Book Reviews, 5/6/10
"[A] fascinating book...Monroe was just as important as any other
founding father, and this biography will let you explore the
reasons why."
"Magill Book Reviews"
"The engaging story of an important but neglected president...If
public memory has unfairly ignored him, "The Last Founding Father:
James Monroe and a Nation's Call to Greatness" amply restores the
deficit. This absorbing biography also generously details the early
history of the nation's westward expansion...[A] highly readable
history of a great American. A natural storyteller and appealing
stylist, Unger skillfully interweaves his subject's private and
public lives. He captures the milieu of the early nineteenth
century, conveying its broad influence upon succeeding
eras.""Choice," July 2010"[Unger] sympathetically assesses all
phases of [Monroe's] life...Particularly well written, this is a
worthy successor to Harry Ammon's 700-page "James Monroe: The Quest
for National Identity" (1971), which focuses less on the private
and more on the public Monroe...Highly recommended."
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