James Monroe: A Life from Beginning to End

Biographies of US Presidents - Hourly History #5

by Hourly History

James Monroe * * *Download for FREE on Kindle Unlimited + Free BONUS Inside!* * * Read On Your Computer, MAC, Smartphone, Kindle Reader, iPad, or Tablet. What American president would not relish the thought of his time in office bearing the description “Era of Good Feeling”? That was the title given to the time when President James Monroe occupied the White House. Monroe was a Virginian, like better-known Founding Father Presidents George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, and James Madison. But his destiny was not defined solely by his loyalty to his state. He was an American, assured of a future destined to be grand because he lived in a nation where possibilities were probable. Inside you will read about... ✓ A Virginia Gentleman ✓ An American Soldier ✓ Monroe at Home and Abroad ✓ A Virginia President ✓ The Second Term And much more! Monroe grew up in the colony of Virginia as the son of a moderately prosperous plantation owner, but his career in service to his nation took him to the battlefields of the Revolutionary War, diplomacy in Europe, the governorship of Virginia, Cabinet posts in Washington D.C., and through it all, America’s future. By establishing the Monroe Doctrine, he warned other nations that trespassing in the Western Hemisphere would be taken as an attack upon the United States. That he made this proclamation at a time when the United States was a mere fledgling compared to the predators of Europe demonstrates his confident audacity in the country he governed. He was a nineteenth-century believer in the twenty-first American century.

Genres: Biography, History, Nonfiction, Historical, Presidents, American Revolution, American History

116 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 21, 2017

About the author

At Hourly History, we focus on publishing history books that are concise, straightforward and take no longer than one hour to read.

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Reviews

[Thom Swennes · Rating 4 out of 5]

James Monroe (April 28, 1758 – July 4, 1831), is perhaps the least know founding father, also the fourth and last Virginian (founding father) to become President of the United States, but his service to his country is both long and varied.
Monroe was an officer (major) in the Continental Army, lt. colonel in the Virginia militia, and a Virginia delegate during the ratification process of the Constitution. In 1790, the Virginia state legislature sent him to the U. S. senate. In 1794 he was sent to France as U. S. ambassador and would serve as governor of Virginia between 1799 and 1802. In 1802 Monroe was again sent to France by Thomas Jefferson to broker a deal that would more than double the size of the United States and secure the Mississippi River as America’s commercial lifeline. In 1803 he was sent to Great Britain again as the U. S. ambassador; a job he would perform until 1807. As president, James Madison made Monroe Secretary of State, largely due to Monroe’s earlier experiences in France and Britain. In 1812, when the war with Britain was going badly, President Madison called on Monroe to become the Secretary of War. In the 1816 Presidential election, Monroe won a landslide victory over his rival Rufus King. Monroe’s presidency was described as the “Era of Good Feeling.”
In an agreement with Spain, the United States was ceded Florida in exchange for all claims to Texas. In 1836 (five years after Monroe’s death) Texas won its independence from Mexico. It can thus be noted that the U. S. didn’t break their agreement with Spain. After Monroe’s two terms as president, be didn’t retire and live the rest of his life on the laurels of achievement but continued to serve his country as a delegate to Virginia’s Constitutional Convention (1829-1830). As the author of the Monroe Doctrine and a firm believer in Manifest Destiny, James Monroe should be remembered as one of the true shapers of the United States of today.
James Monroe, like his fellow Virginian, friend, and presidential predecessors, John Adams and Thomas Jefferson, died on America’s birthday (July 4, 1831, Adams and Jefferson in 1826). This is purely coincidental, but nevertheless an interesting bit of trivia.
This is yet another book in a very entertaining, inspiring, and informative series published by Hourly History. Like the others, it gives the reader a bird’s eye view of a great life in history. It is not meant to stand alone but rather to serve as an inspiration to dig deeper into history and discover all that is not revealed in this brief narrative.

[Anirudh · Rating 3 out of 5]

We know about George Washington and Thomas Jefferson when it comes to initial Presidents of the United States. However, beyond that, most external observers tend to know only from Abraham Lincoln onwards. However, the 5th President of the United States, James Monroe – the last of the founding fathers to be President was most famous for his Monroe Doctrine. This is a short biography on the former US President by Hourly History.

Monroe was the third time a Virginian became the President of the Country (after Washington and Jefferson). The book starts with his origins in Virginia, from a wealthy slave owning family. It then moves on to his period in the army, where he has fought wars on the side of the settlers and subsequently against the British during the American War of Independence. It then touched upon his time as the United States Ambassador to France, overseeing the Louisiana Purchase. The book then moves on to his two term presidency and his eventual death.

The book brought out aspects of US history, which I did not know much about, which is, the period between Jefferson and Lincoln. It also brought out Monroe’s personality as a sound diplomat – wherein he developed relations with France and at the same time, maintains good relations with the British in order to enforce his Monroe doctrine – which stated that Europeans shouldn’t colonise the Americas any further and he needed the British naval support to enforce the same.

The book was disappointing that the focus on his two term presidency was not elaborated much and instead, his personal life was given a lot more focus, with repeated mention of how his daughter’s wedding was the first ever wedding to be conducted at the White House.

The book was a reasonable read, but there was nothing significantly noteworthy to call it as a must read of Hourly History. I would award the book a rating of three on five.

[Igor · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good summary.

[Otherwyrld · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting introduction to this President, though it perhaps spent a fraction too many of its 50 pages on the fashion sense of his wife and not enough on his policies.

[Gordon Saunders · Rating 4 out of 5]

As another reviewer noted, Monroe is undoubtedly the least known of the 'founder presidents.' The 'Hourly History' series normally does a good job of condensing large amounts of material into a quick read. This book is no exception. Of course, that means nuances are lost, decisions are made as to which side of issues will be presented as factual, and characters or issues can come across as mono-dimensional. Still, I would recommend it as a good starting point for research as long as the research will include at least two more comprehensive biographies as well as biographies of contemporaries with whom Monroe worked.

[Ed Barton · Rating 4 out of 5]

Forgotten Founding Father

The last of the Founding Fathers to hold the Presidency and mostly remembered for the Monroe Doctrine, James Monroe was the last of the original presidents. This book gives the reader a quick look at his life, influence and unique contributions to the United States. While his administration saw the first fissures that would become the impetus for the Civil War 40 years later, his diplomatic skills and capable leadership pushed off that reckoning. The only president other than Washington to run for reelection unopposed, that fact alone attests to his leadership and charisma. A good book and good read.

[Laurie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I will own that because I cannot get easy free access to a thorough audiobook or an e-book on James Monroe, I am phoning it in on my presidential biography trek and am calling it after this short 1hr bio and reading his Monroe Doctrine. It’s too bad since he’s the least known of the 5 founding father presidents. That said, this brief bio seemed to do a good job of covering the points, although obviously didn’t delve in to much characterization. In fact, it’s brevity leaves me wishing for less on his wife’s fashion and more on who he really was politically.

[Jeff · Rating 3 out of 5]

I had a little difficulty getting into it -- lots of 'history set up' unrelated to Monroe himself at the beginning. This book does a wonderful job relaying the effect Monroe had historically and today on American government and honestly, the world. Especially interested in is governing and person beliefs regarding slavery and trying to prevent politics from becoming a 'party-system'. Running a brief 48 pages, this is a good intro to our fifth president.

[Jon · Rating 3 out of 5]

For being the least known of the Founding Father presidents, this biography barely whets your appetite for knowledge about the man. I get that there's only so much you can do with an hour-long read, but the author should have removed some of the references to Mrs. Monroe, George Washington, and Thomas Jefferson and devoted more time to the accomplishments and policies of James Monroe. While a decent enough read, he's still an unfamiliar historical figure after completing this book.

[F · Rating 3 out of 5]

Basically, the last of the founding fathers - a Virginian, who served his country in multiple roles and most famously as President. Known for the Monroe Doctrine though not necessarily the author of it. He had his own share of troubles but he lived an interesting life and even an interesting death [at least the same date as other early presidents].
Worth a read. Some of his problems stem from his wife's health and the lack of understanding by others at the time.

[Julian Orozco, Jr. · Rating 5 out of 5]

A President At The Right Time: James Monroe

Excellent read about the last of the Founding Fathers Presidents. Just like the author states in the introduction, James Monroe did more for this country than the Monroe Doctrine. So much more. Great information about this great bipartisan politician and his commitment to this country.

[Sarah Ominski · Rating 5 out of 5]

History can be interesting

I am enjoying the series of books written about the past Presidents of the United States. I am particularly fond of the connections to France.

The books are straightforward and I am enjoying reading about our Presidential History.

[Janette · Rating 3 out of 5]

A Kindle read

[Bruce · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am happy that I read this brief history of James Monroe. The USA was certainly blessed to have the impressive men that served as its founding fathers.

[Emma Dargue · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting biography of a president i didn't know much about.

[Jerry W Anderson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good summary biography of an important leader during the early phases of our country. He served on many important positions and had a very successful presidency.

[Daniel M Stalling · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good Summary of President Monroe

This is an e excellent place to start if you are beginning to research the life and times of President Monroe.

[Nicole · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good read!

[Robin Dix · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not as memorable as other Presidents but he sure did offer a lot. Tireless and dedicated for sure.

[DUARD MICHAEL MAY · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good History

James Monroe was a natural leader and was able to deal with a troubled wife successfully. He created stability while dealing with the slavery issue.

[Roland Gauvin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Monroe one of America's best presidents

This book gave me an insight as to what a talented person Monroe was and what an integral part of our Country's formative years.

[James M. Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

another great biography

Monroe was one of the great presidents who don’t get enough credit for all they did to found this nation & to have it thrive until the civil war