James Monroe
The American Presidents Series
by Gary Hart
Mem. Ed. $13.99
Pub. Ed. $22.00
You pay $0.20
James Monroe
The outstanding American Presidents series from Times Books continues with a fascinating entry from former U.S. senator Gary Hart, who, in an intriguing and highly readable way, does much to explain why James Monroe (1758-1831) is so important—both to America of the early nineteenth century in its early, nation-building development and to America today as it plays an ever-important and ever-changing role in global politics. Monroe, the fifth president of the United States, came to that office with a background that has never proved unuseful to presidential aspirants: a distinguished military past. In fact, Monroe, a hero at the Battle of Trenton during the Revolutionary War, is depicted in Emanuel Leutze’s famous Washington Crossing the Delaware as the flag-carrying officer standing directly behind the first president.
The search for national security
Hart believes that the conventional view of Monroe, which positions him as the last and the least of his predecessors in the so-called Virginia Dynasty of presidents—George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, and James Madison—needs to be overhauled. Instead, Hart asserts, Monroe should be seen “through the prism of his formative military experience and consistent concern for security of the nation.” As president from 1817-1825, Monroe embarked on a series of treaties, annexations, and military confrontations, including the promulgation of the Monroe Doctrine, that extended and secured America’s borders for nearly two hundred years. Hart entertainingly recounts the accomplishments and priorities of this farsighted president whose border concerns surely have resonances today. 170 PAGES • 5¾" x 8½" • NOTES • SOURCES • INDEX
About the author: Gary Hart represented Colorado in the U.S. Senate from 1975 to 1987. He is the author of fourteen books, and has taught at Yale, the University of California, and Oxford University, where he earned a doctor of philosophy degree in politics. He resides with his family in Kittredge, Colorado.
Hardcover Book : 192 pages
Publisher: Henry Holt & Company, Inc. ( October 05, 2005 )
Item #: 12-004438
ISBN: 9780805069600
Product Dimensions: 5.5 x 8.25 x 0.51inches
Product Weight: 9.0 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
Another helpful review by G-Dawggie 
February 22, 2010
First off, I would like to dispute some of the "facts" that the HBC has written about this tome. The product description says that the book weighs in at 11.0 ounces - this is laughable!! This book is clearly in the 11.5 - 11.7 ounce range, no question about that! What other lies are they concealing? The world may never know, we have only begun to scratch the surface. Needless to say 1)I DO NOT recommend this book and 2)I have not quite gotten around to reading it as of yet. I hope this review was helpful to you!!!
Reviewer: G-dawggie
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