Harlow Unger talked about his book The Last Founding Father: James Monroe and a Nation's Call to Greatness (Da Capo Press; September 29, 2009). In this biography he recounts the life of the fifth president of the United States, James Monroe (1751-1831). President Monroe served two-terms, was a decorated soldier in the Revolutionary War and held more public positions than anyone else in American history. His resume included tenures as a congressman and senator, a secretary of state and war, governor of Virginia, and a U.S. minister to Britain and France. Mr. Unger responded to questions from members of the audience.


Harlow Unger is the author of numerous books, including biographies of John Hancock and Noah Webster. Mr. Unger has served as a foreign news editor at the New York Herald Tribune Overseas Service and as a foreign correspondent for the Times and the Sunday Times of London. He was formerly a distinguished visiting fellow in American history at George Washington's Mount Vernon.