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greatlibraryofalexandra 's review for:
The Last Founding Father: James Monroe and a Nation's Call to Greatness
by Harlow Giles Unger
This book was enjoyable to read because Unger is such an obvious fan of Monroe. His enthusiasm made the writing engaging and interesting, and that’s great in a subject that can often be dry. It’s also the reason this book can garner no more than a 3/5 stars.
Though informative, the obvious positive bias towards Monroe is just too extreme, and critical analysis of his presidency and life suffers because of it - particularly in Unger’s unwillingness to address Monroe’s views and policies in regards to enslaved peoples, and his reluctance to explore Monroe’s detractors and what merits they may have had.
Flowery and fun to read, but not a fully fleshed out and unbiased biography.
Though informative, the obvious positive bias towards Monroe is just too extreme, and critical analysis of his presidency and life suffers because of it - particularly in Unger’s unwillingness to address Monroe’s views and policies in regards to enslaved peoples, and his reluctance to explore Monroe’s detractors and what merits they may have had.
Flowery and fun to read, but not a fully fleshed out and unbiased biography.