"A magisterial journey through the epic life and transformative times of John Quincy Adams"-- Provided by publisher.

The Adamses of Braintree -- Innocence Abroad -- Revolutionary Diplomacy -- Paris -- Harvard -- Law and First Love -- Taking the Stage -- A Diplomatic Education -- Louisa -- Berlin and the XYZ Affair -- The Election of 1800 -- "A Foolish Consistency . . ." -- Cicero's Acolyte -- The Russian Assignment -- Alexander -- The Republic in Peril -- War -- Ghent -- A Winter Odyssey -- Minister to the Court of St. James's -- Secretary of State -- The Politics of Empire -- The Transcontinental Treaty -- Empire and Slavery -- The Holy Alliance -- Political Caballing -- The Monroe Doctrine -- The Election of 1824 -- "Liberty is Power" -- Under Siege -- The Election of 1828 -- Thwarted Ambitions -- Congressman Adams -- The Great and Foul Stain on the Union -- The "Gag Rule" -- Texas -- The Amistad Affair -- The Censure Fight -- The Price of Empire.