American Phoenix tells the tale of how John Quincy and Louisa Adams' diplomatic mission to Russia turned a prickly, down-on-his-luck politician into a statesman on the track to become president. Louisa also changed from a marginalized mother into a diplomat in her own right and a champion of women entrusted to make life and death decisions to be reunited with her children. Their Russian destination changed U.S. destiny during the War of 1812 and Napoleonic era. Jane Hampton Cook makes presidential and first lady history relevant to news, current events, politics and modern life. She is the award-winning author of nine books, including The Burning of the White House: James and Dolley Madison and the War of 1812, which is slated to become a movie. A national media commentator and former White House webmaster, she is a contributor for The Hill and is a frequent guest on CNN, C-SPAN, the Fox News Channel and other television and radio outlets. This event costs $25 and includes lunch.