SKU: 20347245480

The Problem of Democracy: The Presidents Adams Confront the Cult of Personality

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The Problem of Democracy: The Presidents Adams Confront the Cult of Personality"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

"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.

Binding Type: Paperback
Publisher: Penguin Group
Published: 04/14/2020
ISBN: 9780525557524
Pages: 576
Weight: 1.15lbs
Size: 8.30h x 5.40w x 1.30d
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SKU: 20347245480

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Santos
Lowell, US
★★★★★ 4
Whoa- I can’t believe this!
I wanted to try this product for a very specific purpose, I have been looking at facial cleansing wipes to use occasionally at bedtime instead of stripping my face by doing a full wash with cleanser and water. I rarely wear makeup, I spend my energy on finding the best skincare products for my skin and sunscreen. So at bedtime usually, I’m just taking off sunscreen and the day’s grime, or if I didn’t go out, the day’s moisturizing products. I tried several brands of moist facial cleansing wipes, and they left behind a greasy film and my face still feels like it needs a full wash. I would never want to skip properly cleansing my skin, and I usually do a full routine while I shower, but it would be nice to be able to occasionally do something quicker and more convenient without sacrificing on quality. I was hoping this product might cleanse well without needing to be rinsed or breaking me out on occasions where I want something quick and convenient, or maybe am travelling and need a basic routine. Wow, this product is not only perfect for that, it actually makes my skin soft and clean, you’d never know I skipped my regular cleansing and just used this Bioderma product with a cotton pad before my nighttime moisturizers/serum. It completely takes off the day’s water resistant facial sunscreen and any sweat or grime and leaves my skin very clean, soft, not dry, and it feels like there is no residue whatsoever. I also don’t break out or get clogged pores, it is just a clean, soft texture. One cotton pad with product is all takes for my entire face to look and feel just as clean as if I had used my regular products (a cleansing balm followed by a foaming cleanser and lots of rinsing with water). I have used this micellar water quite a bit since receiving it, and have not broken out or had clogged pores from “cutting corners” so to speak. And it cleanses very well. I can’t believe how well it cleanses without needing to be rinsed, without irritating my skin, without clogging pores or causing breakouts, and is suitable to use and then put on my serum and nighttime moisturizer. I’ve even used it the next morning to remove the nighttime moisturizers and then put on my SPF. I worried that I was going to cause my skin not to look as good if I didn’t properly wash and rinse with water but this product is so amazing. I have not yet used it to see how well it removes makeup since I rarely wear any, but just for skincare and cleansing without a full wash with regular water, it is so amazing. Not going to sugarcoat it, this is me wanting a convenient routine when I travel but this is also me being lazy on nights when I’m very tired or mornings when I am in a hurry. I consider this one of my few holy grail skincare products. I have picked up a smaller size for travel. I will keep this on hand always. I’m not even looking at moist wipes anymore. (This product is more gentle and leaves no residue as compared to a dermatologist recommended brand of face wipes). I’m most surprised that it cleans my face so thoroughly and that not rinsing does not cause any irritation or breakouts. Just wow. Totally worth the price. I was going to try other brands but this product has been so good there is no need to.
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Reviewed in the United States on May 13, 2026
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sasny
Boise, US
★★★★★ 5
Indispensable!
Scent: Unscented, Size: 25 Count (Pack of 4)
I love these so much that they are part of my monthly subscribe-and-save program. They have absolutely no scent, which is great, because too many products are over-perfumed. They take off all of my makeup gently. There is no stinging or drying sensation. The cloths are well-sized and the package stays shut when not in use- the cloths do not dry out. After I use a couple of these each night to take my makeup off, I follow up with a gentle, moisturizing facial cleanser. My skin is soft, clean, and happy. I highly recommend these!
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Reviewed in the United States on March 6, 2020
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RUTH MACOUBRIE
Birmingham, US
★★★★★ 5
Face cloths that work.
Scent: Unscented, Size: 25 Count (Pack of 6)
They work as they should.
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Reviewed in the United States on February 4, 2026
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Qareena
Belleville, US
★★★★★ 5
A Staple in my Skincare Routine
Scent: Unscented, Size: 25 Count (Pack of 3), Scent: Unscented, Size: 25 Count (Pack of 3)
I've been a huge fan of micellar products ever since they came onto the US market and these Simple Micellar Makeup Remover Wipes are no exception! Simple products are known to be gentle and easy on the skin. These wipes stay true to the brand and feel great on the skin! I have combination, sensitive skin and over the years, I've become quite diligent in taking my makeup off before bed. Although I have tried countless popular brands in the past, these Simple Micellar Makeup Remover Wipes are the ones I keep coming back to time and time again. These wipes are my first step of action in removing my makeup and they do a pretty great job of taking off everything. I usually hold the wipe over my eye area for a few seconds to allow the makeup to break down and come off onto the wipe--I've found that this does a good job of removing my mascara, eye liner and shadow. These wipes do not cause any irritation to the eye area and are great to use on the sensitive skin of the face. To take off stubborn or waterproof makeup, I just apply a liquid eye makeup remover directly onto the wipe and have found this to be the easiest and least wasteful method. I usually wash my face afterwards with a gentle cleanser and continue on with my skincare routine. However, on the nights I'm really tired, I rely on these wipes to remove all of my makeup. These wipes do not leave any type of chemical residue behind and make my face feel fresh and clean. The Simple Micellar Makeup Remover Wipes are a staple in my skincare routine. I keep one pack in my bedside table for easy access on the nights I'm too lazy to wash my face, one in my vanity, and another in my gym bag--I clearly like to stock up! I highly recommend these wipes; they are a must try for everyone!
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Reviewed in the United States on June 29, 2016
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Harry Baldwin
Chelsea, US
★★★★★ 5
Best miscellaneous wipe for the money
Scent: Unscented, Size: 25 Count (Pack of 4)
Excellent micellar wipe. Best value for the money.
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Reviewed in the United States on January 16, 2026

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