SKU: 94222055436

The Problem of Democracy

Sale price$115.20 Regular price$128.00
Save 10%

Pay in installments of $32.00 with ShopPay, AfterPay and Klarna

Shipping Estimate
USA
  • USA
  • CAN

Ships within 48 hours · Estimated delivery Aug 16 - Aug 21

Promo Codes Available:

For Your Every Summer RSVP, with Code: SUMMER15

Description

The Problem of DemocracyBy: Nancy Isenberg, Andrew Burstein "Told with authority and style. . . Crisply summarizing the Adamses' legacy, the authors stress principle over partisanship." The Wall Street Journal How the father and son presidents foresaw the rise of the cult of personality and fought those who sought to abuse the weaknesses inherent in our democracy. Until now, no one has properly dissected the intertwined lives of the second and sixth (father and son)

By: Nancy Isenberg, Andrew Burstein     
"Told with authority and style. . . Crisply summarizing the Adamses' legacy, the authors stress principle over partisanship."--The Wall Street Journal

How the father and son presidents foresaw the rise of the cult of personality and fought those who sought to abuse the weaknesses inherent in our democracy.


Until now, no one has properly dissected the intertwined lives of the second and sixth (father and son) presidents. John and John Quincy Adams were brilliant, prickly politicians and arguably the most independently minded among leaders of the founding generation. Distrustful of blind allegiance to a political party, they brought a healthy skepticism of a brand-new system of government to the country's first 50 years. They were unpopular for their fears of the potential for demagoguery lurking in democracy, and--in a twist that predicted the turn of twenty-first century politics--they warned against, but were unable to stop, the seductive appeal of political celebrities Thomas Jefferson and Andrew Jackson.

In a bold recasting of the Adamses' historical roles, The Problem of Democracy is a major critique of the ways in which their prophetic warnings have been systematically ignored over the centuries. It's also an intimate family drama that brings out the torment and personal hurt caused by the gritty conduct of early American politics. Burstein and Isenberg make sense of the presidents' somewhat iconoclastic, highly creative engagement with America's political and social realities. By taking the temperature of American democracy, from its heated origins through multiple upheavals, the authors reveal the dangers and weaknesses that have been present since the beginning. They provide a clear-eyed look at a decoy democracy that masks the reality of elite rule while remaining open, since the days of George Washington, to a very undemocratic result in the formation of a cult surrounding the person of an elected leader.
Shipping Notes
  • Free Standard Shipping on $100+ Orders to the USA.
  • Except Preorder products are shipped in 48 hours.
  • Delivery to the USA:
  1. Standard Shipping : 3-10 business days
  • If time is of the essence, please consider selecting expedited delivery for faster service.
Exchange/Return Notes
  • We offer a 30-day return/exchange service after receiving.
  • Final sale items are not eligible for returns or exchanges.
  • To process your return/exchange, please contact us at [email protected]
  • Please click here for more details>>> Return & Exchange Policy
SKU: 94222055436

Discover Niche Categories That Outsell

Top-Converting Item to Boost Your Average Order

4.8 ★★★★★
Based on 28 reviews
Sort
Highest Rating
Newest First
Oldest First
Product Reviews
C
Verified Purchase
Cassy
Omaha, US
★★★★★ 1
Contemporary Nursing
Format: Paperback, Format: Paperback
This item was listed as new and it isn’t new. It’s used, the reveal code has been scratched off and it is not in its original packaging.
WAS THIS REVIEW HELPFUL?YesReportShare
Reviewed in the United States on July 30, 2024
D
Verified Purchase
Don Hunter
Phoenix, US
★★★★★ 5
Easy and Short Read
This book is well written and easy to understand. The content is relevant to everyone who is open minded. Worth reading.
WAS THIS REVIEW HELPFUL?YesReportShare
Reviewed in the United States on January 30, 2026
D
Verified Purchase
dawn
Battle Creek, US
★★★★★ 5
This message is so important!
Format: Paperback
Highly recommend! Forgiveness is so important.
WAS THIS REVIEW HELPFUL?YesReportShare
Reviewed in the United States on May 30, 2026
R
Verified Purchase
Ryan
Bozeman, US
★★★★★ 5
Basic, Profound, and Thorough
Format: Paperback
I'm a deliverance minister and walk people through forgiveness exercises on a regular basis because of the spiritual freedom that comes with forgiveness. This book is basic but very thorough and covers all the high-level points on the importance of forgiveness without getting into the weeds. Book is thin; not overwhelming to non-readers.
WAS THIS REVIEW HELPFUL?YesReportShare
Reviewed in the United States on August 3, 2025
M
Verified Purchase
Michelle Benea
Cuba, US
★★★★★ 5
Excellent book!
This is the best book on forgiveness that I’ve ever read. Only read this if you are serious about working through unforgiveness and bitterness. I learned that it is okay to have boundaries and limitations, but first you must forgive.
WAS THIS REVIEW HELPFUL?YesReportShare
Reviewed in the United States on October 15, 2025

recommand products