In this lively and compelling biography Harlow Giles Unger reveals the dominant political figure of a generation. A fierce fighter in four critical Revolutionary War battles and a courageous survivor of Valley Forge and a near-fatal wound at the Battle of Trenton, James Monroe (17511831) went on to become Americas first full-time politician, dedicating his life to securing Americas national and international durability.Decorated by George Washington for his exploits as a soldier, Monroe became a congressman, a senator, U.S. minister to France and Britain, governor of Virginia, secretary of state, secretary of war, and finally Americas fifth president. The country embraced Monroes dreams of empire and elected him to two terms, the second time unanimously. Mentored by each of Americas first four presidents, Monroe was unquestionably the best prepared president in our history.Like David McCulloughs John Adams and Jon Meachams recent book on Andrew Jackson, this new biography of Monroe is both a solid read and stellar scholarshiphistory in the grand tradition.