James Madison and the Making of America
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- $11.99
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- $11.99
Publisher Description
In James Madison and the Making of America, historian Kevin Gutzman looks beyond the way James Madison is traditionally seen -- as "The Father of the Constitution" -- to find a more complex and sometimes contradictory portrait of this influential Founding Father and the ways in which he influenced the spirit of today's United States. Instead of an idealized portrait of Madison, Gutzman treats readers to the flesh-and-blood story of a man who often performed his founding deeds in spite of himself: Madison's fame rests on his participation in the writing of The Federalist Papers and his role in drafting the Bill of Rights and Constitution. Today, his contribution to those documents is largely misunderstood. He thought that the Bill of Rights was unnecessary and insisted that it not be included in the Constitution, a document he found entirely inadequate and predicted would soon fail. Madison helped to create the first American political party, the first party to call itself "Republican", but only after he had argued that political parties, in general, were harmful. Madison served as Secretary of State and then as President during the early years of the United States and the War of 1812; however, the American foreign policy he implemented in 1801-1817 ultimately resulted in the British burning down the Capitol and the White House. In so many ways, the contradictions both in Madison's thinking and in the way he governed foreshadowed the conflicted state of our Union now. His greatest legacy—the disestablishment of Virginia's state church and adoption of the libertarian Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom—is often omitted from discussion of his career. Yet, understanding the way in which Madison saw the relationship between the church and state is key to understanding the real man. Kevin Gutzman's James Madison and the Making of America promises to become the standard biography of our fourth President.
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
Gutzman's account of the man many consider to be the Father of the Constitution is a meticulously researched work, relying on primary sources most notably Madison's own extensive writings, including his famous Federalist Papers. However, the book is punishingly dull for the general reader, with an account of the Philadelphia Convention that runs beyond 80 pages, including many lines similar to this one: "When the convention next met, on Monday, May 28, a rule allowing any member to call for yeas and nays to be recorded on any vote was debated." Gutzman (coauthor, Who Killed the Constitution?) is unable to edit his play-by-play, as though he was recording it live instead of hundreds of years later. Madison's wife, the controversial Dolley, appears only briefly, but Madison's friendship with Thomas Jefferson gets some attention. Gutzman provides occasional comment on the proceedings he notes that Alexander Hamilton was "never one to tire of hearing his own voice" but by the time one reads that the relatively obscure Marbury vs. Madison was "perhaps the most famous judicial decision in American history" an assertion that some might rebuke it's clear that the author is too close to his subject to bring an editorial eye to either the man or his work. Scholars of the time will greatly appreciate Gutzman's attention to detail and make up the bulk of his readership. B&W photos.
Customer Reviews
Great read
Professor Kevin Gutzman showcases the humanity of an integral founding father and brings us an excellent exposé of Madison's public life. In addition to being a gifted author, Prof. Gutzman is a phenominal radio interview, and a down to earth personality who is very accesible via social media. This book was very tough to put down - highly recommend it as well as his other works!
Tedious
Good for those interested in the debates, politics and people behind the development of the constitution. Was hoping to get a more colorful portrait of Madison's life.
Truth without motive and propaganda.
Kevin has to be one of the greatest historical scholars of today. This fantastic work sets a lot of things straight, it is an engaging must read.