Includes bibliographical references and index.

The fires of honorable ambition: the education of John Quincy Adams -- Clans and tribes at eternal war: European diplomacy and American politics -- In search of monsters to destroy: the extent and limits of American power -- The spirit of improvement: economic and moral development -- A stain upon the character of the nation: the fight against slavery -- The influence of our example: the legacy of John Quincy Adams.

America's rise from a confederation of revolutionary colonies to a world power is often seen as inevitable, but Charles N. Edel's provocative biography argues that Adams served as the central architect of a grand strategy that shaped America's rise. Adams's particular combination of ideas and policies made him a critical link between the founding generation and the Civil War-era nation of Lincoln. Examining Adams's service as senator, diplomat, secretary of state, president, and congressman, Edel's study reveals a brilliant but stubborn man who was both visionary prophet and hard-nosed politician. Adams's ambitions on behalf of America's interests, combined with a shrewd understanding of how to counter the threats arrayed against them, allowed him to craft a multitiered policy to insulate the nation from European quarrels, expand U.S. territory, harness natural resources, develop domestic infrastructure, education, and commerce, and transform the United States into a model of progress and liberty respected throughout the world.--From publisher description.

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