1. Mathias Kools
2. Reading Every Presidential Biography
3. John Quincy Adams

John Quincy Adams

On John Quincy Adams I read Fred Kaplan’s “John Quincy Adams: American Visionary”.

Much like his father John Quincy Adams kept a journal to capture the major and minute details of his life. Much like McCullough, Kaplan doesn’t spare any of this writing from the reader. This was a slog to get through. But I come out the other end feeling like I really know John Quincy Adams.

I found his ambition to serve the public as much as he could admirable. He survived past his presidency to serve in Congress. I found his adventures in Europe exciting. Even though he often was sick from the road, especially during his winters in imperial Russia. And I found his battle with religion relatable.

He takes on a lot of puritan values from where he grows up. And he likes the contemplative benefits of prayer and gathering. Yet, he cannot balance the mystical powers of prophets with his thorough education. And so while he feels free to attend any house of worship, he knows he just won’t share the same beliefs. I think in this way and many others Kaplan shows how John Quincy Adams was ahead of his time.