Customer Reviews

Cannibals of the Heart: A Personal Biography of Louisa Catherine and John Quincy Adams

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This book kept me up late night after night! Jack Shepherd is a good storyteller, and goes into the background of John Quincy and Louisa Catherine to help us understand why they became the people they did. (I had no idea that John Quincy was a frustrated party guy who roamed the Boston Common at night!)

He also goes into great detail, describing society during each of John Quincy's diplomatic posts, so that we feel like we're part of that era. I also learned a lot of history, and have a better appreciation for the fragile democracy that existed between the American Revolution and the Civil War.

The first part of the book is especially lively, describing their courtship and wedding. I thought the book lost a little steam at the end (or maybe I was losing steam, since they lead such full lives!) I agree that the book leaves me wanting more, only because it focuses more on their personal lives, rather than John Quincy's career, which I want to explore more now.

I definitely recommend this book as an easy-to-read and well-researched document about two Americans who sacrificed so much of themselves for their country, yet have been forgotten.

This biography of the cranky JQA and his gentle wife, Louisa Catherine, got off to a good start. It opens with a vivid account of their wedding at the church of All Hallows Barking. Unfortunately, Shepard never delves deep enough into the volatile relationship between the president and his "fine lady." I was left wondering WHAT exactly they felt for one another. Did they love one another, despite the pain each inflicted? I think so....but this biography does not provide the answer. The hauntingly beautiful quote that the title is taken from says more than the entire book: "It was a marriage of light to shadow, of spring to winter, of heart to cannibal..." There are some good moments toward the end. The description of an aged JQA's triumphant tour through the states he loved is fantastic (his disgusted daughter-in-law got sick of the cheering crowds and went home!) I would reccomend Paul Nagel's "Descent from Glory" over this.

I really enjoyed this book and learned so much. The Adams were amazing people and really were an important part of creating our country. It was long but very engaging and I kept wanting to learn more of their story. Tragic lives but gave me a lot to think about.