In the early pages of The Last Founding Father: James Monroe and a Nation's Call to Greatness, Harlow Giles Unger writes, "Washington's three successors -- John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, and James Madison-- were mere caretaker presidents who left the nation bankrupt, its people deeply divided, its borders under attack, its capital city in ashes." And then, by contrast, Unger states: "Monroe's presidency made poor men rich, turned political allies into friends, and united a divided people as no president had done since Washington. The most beloved president after Washington...(Monroe) created an era never seen before or since in American History--an "Era of Good Feelings" that propelled the nation and its people to greatness." I highlighted these bold passages, found on pages 2 and 3, and thought much about them while I read. To my surprise, Unger sold it. True, he wrote in glorifying terms of all Monroe did for the country. He traveled to all of the states to spread good will. Along ......

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