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John Quincy Adams: A Public Life, a Private Life by Paul C. Nagel - 4* - My Review

Drawing on John Quincy Adams’s voluminous diaries, this narrative non-fiction provides insight into the character and actions of the sixth President of the US. The primary strength of this book is portraying what Adams was like as a person. As an extremely intelligent young man, he traveled and was educated in Europe, accompanying his father, John Adams, in his service as a US Ambassador. He comes across as complex, self-critical, stubborn, disciplined, religious, and honorable. He experienced episodes of depression, which occurred periodically throughout his life (at a time when very little could be done for it).

This work follows his entire life. It is written in a chronological, straight-forward manner. At a time when few Americans had the chance to travel extensively, JQA visited France, Spain, the Netherlands, Great Britain, Germany, and Russia. He learned many languages and was fluent in French. The narrative covers his education at Harvard and his legal practice, which he viewed as a rather boring occupation. It covers his marriage to Englishwoman Louisa Johnson, children, and the death of his infant daughter in Russia. Two of his sons died in their thirties, one from an apparent suicide and the other from alcohol abuse.

It follows his service as a diplomat and political career, serving as Secretary of State under James Monroe. His presidency was one of the most difficult periods of his life, facing Congressional opposition and making several rather naïve mistakes. Afterward, he became a member of the House of Representatives and served in this capacity until his death at age 81.

I particularly enjoyed reading about his role in defending the slaves of the Amistad, his lifelong opposition to slavery, his poetry writings, and relationship with his mother, Abigail Adams. It lacks footnotes, but it is obvious that the majority of content came from JQA’s journals. As I continue my project of reading US presidential biographies in order, I am glad to have discovered this one.