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

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.