James Monroe

“A well-crafted exposition of James Monroe’s perception of the new United States and his ideas on its place in the family of nations. A valuable contribution to our understanding of the hopes and aspirations of the founding generation for their newly created country.”—Daniel Preston, editor of The Papers of James Monroe

“James Monroe has often lived in the shadow of his contemporaries. Now, thanks to Brook Poston, we have an insightful study of how Monroe understood the idea of republicanism and how he applied it to diplomacy. This is a welcome addition to the literature on the foreign policy of the early republic.”—Robert W. Smith, author of Amid a Warring World: American Foreign Relations, 1775–1815

“Offers a fresh perspective on a founding-era politician and president frequently overshadowed by his friends and rivals. . . . Poston’s well-written and thoughtful overview of Monroe’s muscular efforts to promote republicanism . . . elevates the achievements of this underappreciated founding figure.”—Journal of American History

“[Poston] writes with clarity and insight. . . . [He] shows how Monroe grew from a political neophyte to become a philosophical giant who, as president, widened his arc of influence to lead the hemisphere toward freedom and democracy.”—Presidential Studies Quarterly

“An engaging analysis of Monroe’s values and ambitions.”—Virginia Magazine of History and Biography