Henry Clay

America's Greatest Statesman

By: Harlow Giles Unger

Narrated by: John Lescault

A compelling new biography of America's most powerful speaker of the House, who held the divided nation together for three decades and who was Lincoln's guiding light.

In a little-known chapter of early American history, a fearless Kentucky lawyer rids Congress of corruption and violence in an era when congressmen debated with bullets as well as ballots. Harlow Giles Unger reveals how Henry Clay, the youngest congressman ever elected speaker of the House, rewrote congressional rules and established the speaker as the most powerful elected official after the president.

During five decades of public service - as congressman, senator, secretary of state, and four-time presidential candidate - Clay produced historic compromises that postponed civil war for 50 years. Lincoln called Clay "the man for whom I fought all my life".

An action-packed narrative history, Henry Clay is the story of one of the most courageous congressmen in American history.

©2015 Harlow Giles Unger (P)2015 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Americans: Learn your country's history. Talk shows will not teach it

This biography gives a real human touch to formation of American history. Henry Clay is no longer for me just an historical name lacking details. Learn your history or be doomed to repeat it. I kept an open mind when deciding to "read" it. Lot more useful then mob behavior toppling memorials or desecrating ignorantly. Same as burning books. America is still a young country despite its wealth and military power. Do not rely on CNN or similar news media to learn about key historical personages who laid the bricks for our dynamic democracy. There is nothing new under the sun;so engage with the past to handle the present more effectively--especially if newly arrived to the USA. Give me more Audible books like Henry Clays biography.

Thank you Audible and Mr.Unger.

This was worthwhile in my perspective, even potentially during the eschaton, the end of all things 🌀🌍🌎🌏🌐💔😥🙏🏻🇺🇲🙏🏻💠.

Good Information!

Well read! The story was interesting, but sometimes repetitive.

I would recommend. Definitely leads right into Lincoln.

Excellent history of a patriot long forgotten

Having lived in San Francisco, I always wondered after whom Clay street was named. Now I know. I learned much history about the early half of the 19th century from this book.

Henry Clay - Better to Right than President

Book: This is interesting review of person who was integral to the development of the US between the American Revolution and the American Civil War. He was very much a person of the times with the usual vices and prejudices as well as force of mind, principles, intellectual, and courage. The reading provides context to the period and re-enforces the tragic flaw of the US since its founding: the division in the union finding its pinnacle in the institution of slavery.
Performance: Very good. No issues.