John Quincy Adams was raised, educated, and groomed to be President, following in the footsteps of his father, John. At fourteen he was secretar... read full description
reviews
Feb 12, 2011
Patricia
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I was familiar with the Adams Family having read several books on JQA's famous parents. I was interested in learning what type of man JQA was in his private life as well as his professional career. This book did not disappoint in terms of bringing out JQA's genius, personality, talents and struggles. He unquestionably blessed the United States of America with his diplomatic skills with various important treaties and his life-long service. All the while struggling with bouts crippling depression.
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Oct 29, 2010
Zohar - ManOfLaBook.com
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"John Quincy Adams: A Public Life, A Private Life" by Paul C. Nagel is a biography of the sixth president of these United States. JQA, as he referred to himself to be distinguished from his prominent father, was a melancholy politician who would have rather been a man of letters, than the lawyer / diplomat / politician he turned out to be. The book is based mostly on JQA's diary which spanned an amazing seven decades - arguably the "most valuable historical and personal journal ke
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Jun 03, 2011
Jenny
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This is one of those rare and wonderful biographies of a public figure that gives you deep insight into the person behind the historical personage. I had always bought into the commonly held idea that JQA was a curmudgeon who didn't live up to his father's heroic example. I came away from this book appreciating both his accomplishments and the emotional difficulties he faced as he lived a life where the best of the 18th and early 19th century cultural values warred within him. The political his
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Jul 22, 2010
Alan
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In my quest to read a biography of every president, this is #6. The writing was good, but there seemed to be too much on JQA as a person and not enough of his politics or the politics of the time. There was more written about his legal apprenticeship than his presidency. However he is a very interesting character - a master of languages at a young age (he taught himself French well enough at age 14 to speak at the French royal court!) and avid swimmer but did not come across as very personabl
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Feb 19, 2012
Jennie
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I have to get something off my chest before I really get started with this – After reading John Adams by David McCullough and watching the mini-series I held John Quincy Adams to this level of awesomeness just because I “watched” him grow up. Not even 100 pages into this biography I had to admit to myself that he is a total jerk. Like the king of all jerks in the world. He should get a crown for his haughty attitude and general disdain – it seemed to ooze out of his pores and writings.
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Apr 23, 2011
Martin
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I gotta say, I really didn't know what to expect with this biography of the Sixth President. On the one hand, I'd heard he was cold, humourless and unbearably arrogant. On the other, I'd heard it was generally agreed he was the smartest of all the Presidents. And there there's the fact of his life that appear in McCullough's bio of his father, or in bios of Madison and Monroe - in whose administrations he served.
And the verdict? Yes. Cold, humourless, arrogant - all probably because More...
And the verdict? Yes. Cold, humourless, arrogant - all probably because More...
Jan 28, 2011
Sarah
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Perhaps I am blinded by my Massachusetts blood, but I have always believed that both John Adams and JQA have been vastly underrated by history. It may also be that portrayals of both of them as stubborn, sometimes cold, and cantankerous men don't trouble me so much since I recognize the typical marks of a New Englander in that profile. And neither of them was as cold or cantankerous as some would say anyway.
In any case, this is an excellent biography, aided, of course, by the existence of More...
In any case, this is an excellent biography, aided, of course, by the existence of More...
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Oct 30, 2010
Andrew
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A Public Life, A Private Life shows the struggle of one man, John Quincy Adams (JQA) to get out of the shadow of his father. Ever a reluctant person, Adams was thrust into the public spotlight with a father who laid the foundations for the country. It was now, however, going to be easy for him to live up to the expectations of his father or his country.
Nagel shows Quincy just as the title notes, in his private role and his public role. Much like Chernow's text on Alexander Hamilton, N More...
Nagel shows Quincy just as the title notes, in his private role and his public role. Much like Chernow's text on Alexander Hamilton, N More...
May 10, 2010
Jennifer
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This is a very informative and enjoyable biography to read. Paul Nagel knows his stuff – there is definite evidence of his thorough research of the Adams family. His writing style is clear, concise, and never dry. He moves it along at a good speed but doesn’t get bogged in details. He presents John Quincy’s life in such a way that you immediately get engrossed in the story and forget who the author is. I think that is proof of and excellent author, one who puts himself aside and tells the story
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Dec 02, 2008
David
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John Quincy Adams started keeping journals at age 11 and continued to write prolifically in them until old-age infirmities kept him from being able to hold a pen. Mr. Nagel makes a point of telling us that he has read them all. At first I thought this might make for a dull biography since I'm generally more interested in the politics than the personalities, but it worked well and made me think that I got some understanding of Adams' motivations. Those journals must have been tedious given Ada
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Aug 08, 2011
Tom
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Here's a sci fi connection for you. JQA wanted to build the first observatory in the states. I didn't know anything about JQA before except for the movie Amistad. He was an interesting guy. His presidency was the least interesting part of his life. He was central to getting the Smithsonian Institution off the ground. He was a linguist and poet. He seemed to always be afraid of not living up to his own expectations.
Jul 09, 2011
Tom
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Very solid biography of JQA. Explores his complicated relationship with his father, his troubled presidency and his fight with what some would now call bi-polar disorder. Paints him as an ideal counterpoint to Jackson as being the most influential person of the early 1800s.
Not for your average reader, though. It's pretty long and you really need to want to learn about JQA to make it all the way through.
Not for your average reader, though. It's pretty long and you really need to want to learn about JQA to make it all the way through.
Jan 05, 2009
Pat
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My interest in John Quincy Adams was tweaked when I read David McCullough's wonderful book, John Adams. As the title indicates, this book describes his life both privately and publicly. His romance with his wife, his letters to her, and the tensions between his wife and Mother all added interest to the book. For a history buff, the descriptions of happenings in the country lent further interest.
Dec 25, 2011
Carol
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Excellent biography based on JQA's diaries (of nearly seventy years), focused more on his private than public life. Such an amazing man-- well traveled by his teen years, brilliant diplomat, Harvard graduate (2nd in his class), struggled with depression, perfectionism and trying to meet the high standards of his parents. Would have preferred to be a man of letters (was a professor of Oratory at Harvard) and had a passion for science and technology. He was a lawyer, U.S. Senator, Secretary of Sta
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Nov 11, 2011
"An excellent book...Jeff Riggenbach beautifully narrates the story as interesting, vital historical biography....His inflections and vocal shadings urge you to listen further and to really appreciate this most accomplished public servant." - AudioFile
Listen to John Quincy Adams on your smartphone.
Listen to John Quincy Adams on your smartphone.
Jul 12, 2010
Aaron
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A really good insight into a president that followed in his father's footsteps of a life in public service. What I found most interesting about the biography was the tense relationship that JQA had with his mother Abigail. It seems as though Abigail was very demanding with her first born and really never allowed him to choose his own path.
Aug 02, 2011
Overall, Nagel does an excellent job chronicling the life of this outstanding American. My only complaint is the relatively short treatment of JQA's Presidency (and election); as well as the seemingly hurried summary of the last few years of his life. Very readable and, by biographical standards, gripping.
Dec 13, 2009
Peter
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Paul Nagel accomplishes his goal in writing a book trying to capture who JQA was as a person. The book therefore glosses over his political accomplishments and makes reference to other biographies where these details can be found. Overall it was very readable and is excellent if you are looking for something that explores the man and doesn't get into the nitty-gritty of history.
Jan 26, 2010
Julie
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I didn't know much about him before reading this biography, but he was probably one of our smarter presidents, even if his presidency was not so remarkable. Worth reading, especially if you've read about John Adams or Abigail.
Sep 18, 2009
Gene
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JQA is so little known. This book provides a good look into the life of this brilliant man who didn't gain public appreciation until his final years.
Feb 10, 2011
Jessica (booneybear)
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This biography spent only one chapter on JQA's presidency, however, I didn't feel that it was lacking for information. I liked the fact that the book was so much about JQA's entire life and his broad rage of acheivements. I never realized just how many things he had his hands in.
I also felt that the book gave a good insight into JQA's family life as well. From his parents, wife, children and grandchildren. The reader gets a sense of JQA's daily life and not just his political h More...
I also felt that the book gave a good insight into JQA's family life as well. From his parents, wife, children and grandchildren. The reader gets a sense of JQA's daily life and not just his political h More...
Dec 01, 2011
John
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Great book, pretty well written. Fascinating man and the author had access to JQA's extensive diaries. Not recommended for fans of Abigail Adams - she was not the model mother!
Mar 22, 2010
An intersting man although sometimes tiresome. He focused so much on himself, always critical. He was highly educated and intelligent but not good in his personal relationships and didn't work well with others. He loved his wife but was a diffficult husband. Devoted to Bible study but not certain of his salvation.
Dec 17, 2009
Tom
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This is quite possibly my favorite biography although a tough go for casual readers. JQA was man who served his country from the time he was a boy, as his father's secretary, to his death while serving as a Congressman bent on abolishing slavery.
A must read for those passionate about American History.
A must read for those passionate about American History.
Dec 29, 2011
Kevin
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This book is very good, but a little heavy handed in its treatment of his mother Abigail. I've read almost 30 books about the Adams Family and none has been so vivid in portraying the huge gulf this book paints between Mother and son. So far my only reservation. Very well researched and in-depth.
Dec 23, 2011
cynthia
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An excellent, well-balanced biography about our 6th President. He was a very interesting personality. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend this book to anyone who enjoys history and biographies.
Aug 06, 2009
Derek
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A good look into the life of JQA. Well written, good use of Adams' personal writings to give a full picture of this brilliant, earnest, flawed, and very human president.
Aug 28, 2007
Robert
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What a character! This biography captures the soul of one of our smartest Presidents (Q IQ = 3 W IQ).
