Book Description
The documents thatshaped a nation.
Three of the founding fathers brilliantly defend their revolutionary charter: the Constitution of the United States, a milestone in political science and a classic of American history.
Customer Reviews:
Brillian insights from our founding fathers.......2007-09-26
Our founding fathers created the greatest system of government in history. That government was set up through the United States Constitution.
When the debate over whether to ratify the Constitution was ongoing, a series of pamplets were distributed arguing in favor of ratification and spelling out clearly the case for the Constitution. The Federalist Papers are a compilation of those essays. They are the best defense of our Republic and our Liberty, ever.
Every American needs to read this book. The government has become bloated and gave itself authority well beyond the limits that the Constitution set up. If we are going to take back our Republic, these essays are the philosophical basis for returning government to its Constitutional limits.
The Federalist Papers.......2007-08-23
This is one of the three or four most important books in English published since 1776. All candidates for federal office should be required to pass a comprehensice essay exam on the Federalist Papers.Applicants for citizenship should be tested on this book.
Very Useful Book, Not A Perfect Edition.......2007-01-09
The Federalist Papers is without a doubt a necessary compilation of rhetoric trying to bring out all the positive aspects of the American Constitution (as well as to discredit some of the criticism it received) for any individual considering himself politically enlightened. Far too many times you will be likely to encounter someone who is completely unfamiliar with notions like executive prerogative and is in utter bewilderment where Bush, for example, gets off with such ideas as the recent wiretaps. The abstract justification for such cases is among the countless other arguments provided by Hamilton, Madison, and Jay within these pages, and though one may disagree with them, they are nonetheless important to know and understand. They are hardly perfect, and many, such as Hamilton's attempt to justify the absence of a Bill of Rights, show that these articles sought to employ every argument available to make it seem that the Constitution was a paragon of a social contract (rather than a document meticulously written as a result of numerous compromises with little universal ideological consistency), but they are nonetheless important to have in one's library.
Of course, it's easy to find every single one of them online for free, not to mention all the other documents this edition adds on, such as the Constitution or the Declaration of Independence. It is a good thing, then, that this edition is so cheap, as it is certainly convenient to have them all in a relatively small book that preserves all your markings. The edition also tries to overcome this burden of free access to its material through a masterfully written introduction, through a table of contents that briefly summarizes the argument contained within each article, and through the numerous footnotes that concisely expand upon the many now archaic references to the Romans and the Classics that Publius tends to make. For these reasons, I find having this precise copy of the Federalist Papers worth the 7 or so bucks that it costs.
The one thing I dislike about it, and why I give it 4 stars rather than 5, is that the paper and ink are almost of newspaper quality, so that extensive reading will tend to leave black markings on one's fingers. This does get annoying when writing papers about it and flipping around its pages.
GREAT Book...everything you need, looks nice, small but not TOO small.......2007-01-04
This copy is worth every penny and more. It was such a great value. Dec of Independence, Const, Articles of Confed, etc. The one-stop-shop for the important US government works.
A Contention and a Suggestion.......2006-08-25
One of the reviewers below challenges the notion that the US was ever a Democracy, however, he (apologies if it's a 'she') is viewing the Federalist Papers from the perspective of modern times, and that is a fallacy in reviewing this work, but fortunately it's an instructive fallacy.
The issue with the Federalist Papers is that although it is the leading arguments for the creation of a more centralized government (to replace the Articles of Confederation which seemed inpractible), not all of these arguments were adopted in the Constitution, and some that were did not survive very long. As a result, you may get the wrong impression that the Federalist Papers=the Constitution. Remember, Hamilton's party, the Federalists, did not survive much longer after the defeat of Adams by Jefferson in the 1800 election. The populism of Jefferson and Madison were the ultimate winners *at the time*.
And my *at the time* comment is important. Nowadays the federal government of the US holds a superior and decisive position in the governing of its people; this has not always been the case. In the early-to-mid 19th century, federal power was severely limited when it came to internal affairs; most of the government was conducted at the local level, with some county and state control thrown in where applicable. So *at the time*, the fact that the Senate had 2 members from each state (and appointed by the state legislature) regardless of population was *not* a measure that was anti-democratic in purpose. Democracy existed because the government was predominantly local and the people were predominantly involved in its affairs.
Thus my contention; now for the suggestion: if your project is strictly to research the creation of the US Constitution, than the Federalist Papers by themselves are fine. If, however, you are more interested in how the Constitution affected American society at that time, I would recommend that you start by reading de Tocqueville's "Democracy in America", and working backwards. The immediate results of the Constitution are best expressed in de Tocqueville (he toured the United States and published his work in Europe within 50 years of the ratification) because its not the causes of the Constitution he is discussing, but its effects. After you have completed Democracy in America, then you'll be able to approach the Federalist (and of course the Anti-Federalist) Papers with the understanding of what worked, what didn't, and maybe what we need to work again for.
Book Description
A bestselling historian examines the life of a Founding Father.Renowned historian and social commentator Garry Wills takes a fresh look at the life of James Madison, from his rise to prominence in the colonies through his role in the creation of the Articles of Confederation and the first Constitutional Congress. Madison oversaw the first foreign war under the constitution, and was forced to adjust some expectations he had formed while drafting that document. Not temperamentally suited to be a wartime President, Madison nonetheless confronted issues such as public morale, internal security, relations with Congress, and the independence of the military. Wills traces Madison's later life during which, like many recent Presidents, he enjoyed greater popularity than while in office.
Customer Reviews:
Hard to like.......2007-09-30
It was hard for me to like a consummate politician like James Madison, and hard to like the way this book was written, although it was informative.
James Madison was more of a politician than a president according to author Garry Wills. From the accounts of this book, everything he did had political motives. The author, in fact, found very little to admire personally in the man as president except that he navigated with the country through the War of 1812, and the country came out victorious and intact. The book by the way covers the periods before and after his presidency, but concentrates mostly on when he was president.
The book's style was a little too academic, dry, and distilled for me, with information that seems more like data than historical facts; it made you feel like you were back in college preparing to be tested. I prefer the way Joseph Ellis or Stephen Ambrose does early U.S history, giving it more personality and spice with a lot of anecdotes and quotes. I would have liked to have known more about Dolly Madison, for example, and the president's relationship with her. For once, I would have rather had a longer, more leisurely walk through someone's life.
In short, Madison was a mediocre president but a great politician (if such a thing exists)and this account of it was informative but fairly uninspired, like a history text book. Three stars are the very best I could do for it.
Worth the money.......2006-03-28
I've read over 10 of the American President Series bios (and bios on 15 other Presidents) and this was a pleasant surpise. In addition to Madison, Gary Willis offers some great insight to Jefferson, Monroe and the war of 1812 without getting bogged down in an area. I appreciated the chapter subdivisions that allowed me to pick it up and put it down easily. I throughly enjoyed reading this book.
A Cornerstone of America.......2005-09-20
In halls of American history, few people are as overlooked as James Madison. While his presidency was largely forgettable, his influence on the country through his work on the constitution can not be forgotten.
In this concise work by Gary Wills, Madison is portrayed as a slight and fragile man. Yet even in early adulthood, he showed the markings of a leader. Overcoming his quiet nature and small size, he played a key role in writing the Constitution. He championed the cause of separation of church and state. Madison felt that faith must be genuine and can not be forced. A forced faith is dangerous to the future of the religion, potentially causing it to loose its meaning.
Madison's presidency was marred by the War of 1812. This often misunderstood chapter in American history is given an excellent explanation on page 97. Through the course of this war, Madison protected the Constitution as well as ending the reigns of political patronage than caused earlier battles in the war to be failures.
Much like Thomas Jefferson paved the path to the presidency for Madison, Madison also left a legacy of rising stars in the party then known as Republican including James Monroe and Andrew Jackson. Were it not for Jackson's military success, the country stood to loose ground in the War of 1812. Instead, the country ended the war with the same amount of territory as when it began the war.
While this biography is short, I must admit that I learned a great deal from it. I believe this book can hold its ground against any biography of Madison. While not caught up in frivolous details, it tells a great story.
Excellent short biography by one of our more perplexing presidents.......2005-08-27
To his credit, Garry Wills is in this book determined to focus most of his attentions on President James Madison rather than Founder James Madison. The temptation with Madison is always to focus on his profoundly important contributions to the U.S. Constitution instead of his two terms as president. As a constitutionalist, Madison held the distinction of being both the primary framer of the Constitution and actual writer of much of it, and being by far the most important person in the composition of the Bill of Rights. Interestingly, little of this was known about Madison during his own life time. As Wills points out, after Washington and Franklin, Madison was probably the next most important person in the creation of the United States (though I would add Jefferson to the list to create a quartet), but this would not have been obvious to his contemporaries. Even his role as one of the writers of the Federalist Papers was unknown.
Madison as president, however, was a terrible disappointment. While his abilities in framing and creating the constitution incontestably make him one of the half dozen most important figures in U.S. History, he was at best an average president. In fact, his accomplishments as president can only be dealt with negatively. His lone achievements are what he did not do, not what he actually did. As Wills argues at the end, he did not engage in widespread violations of civil rights while waging the War of 1812, as many subsequent presidents would do, both major presidents such as Abraham Lincoln, Woodrow Wilson, and Franklin Roosevelt, and lesser presidents such as Richard Nixon, and much, much lesser presidents like George W. Bush. Unlike Lincoln, Madison did not suspend habeas corpus and unlike Wilson did not make criticism of the government a jailable crime. Furthermore, although he signally failed in all of the central aims of his administration both in going to war and in everything else, he proved that a republic grounded in a spirit of a popular democracy could nonetheless wage a war.
The most interesting part of the book came near the end, when in a few brief pages Wills made some powerful and cogent arguments concerning the role that modernism had on the Madison terms of office. There is a fundamental tension in American politics that is expressed in a number of paired yet opposing ideas: freedom versus liberty, a strong federal government versus a weak central government, and "the people" versus states` rights. These inevitably lead to apparent contradictions, such as Jefferson's stated dislike of a strong central government, but his dramatic increase in the power of the executive branch. Likewise, Madison creates a constitution that centers national authority in a strong federal, but then as a member of Congress gradually moves more and more to a states' rights position, before as president dramatically increasing the importance and power of the federal and executive powers. Over and over in American history we see varying attempts to struggle with these issues. Lincoln saw himself as a Jeffersonian, yet believed strongly in a strong federal government and a weak local government. Similar to the arguments of Herbert Croly in THE PROMISE OF AMERICAN LIFE, Woodrow Wilson felt that Jeffersonian democracy could only be sustained by a very strong federal that could resist and fight the exploitative tendencies of trusts and corporations, and argued that Jefferson himself would have advocated a strong central government had he foreseen the effects of mass industrialization and the rise of the modern corporation. Madison found himself despite his ideals relying more and more on new elites, an idea that was anathema to Republicans (that is old school Republicans, that actually became the Democratic party under Andrew Jackson and Martin Van Buren). But Wills notes that these were not the elites that the Federalists envisioned leading the United States. Hamilton, for instance, yearned for an America led by its wealthiest and highest born. Under Madison privilege eventually came to play no role and being well born or of good blood was vastly less important than being effective and efficient at what one did. Therefore, the hapless generals, almost all political appointments, who led the nation early in the war, gave way to talented generals such as Andrew Jackson by the end. Wills implies that Jefferson and Madison did not understand that the nation could rely upon elite leadership that rose to that position based on merit and talent rather than privilege and entitlement (a situation unfortunately reversed in the late 20th and early 21st centuries).
This is a remarkably solid little biography, another superb entry into the finest series of short presidential biographies ever to be published. I personally think that Wills wants to rate Madison a bit too high. Based merely on his performance, I think he falls pretty much into the middle of the pack of presidents. As a Founder, he is of massive importance, but I think Wills falls into the temptation of nearly ever author in this series of books to rate their subject just a bit higher than they deserve (except for the Buchanan volume--whose author admits that he might be our worst executive). Still, absolutely no one can fail to benefit from this.
Great American but an average President.......2005-06-23
Historian Garry Wills, in assessing James Madison's achievements, concludes that as a framer of the Constitution, author of 29 of the Federalist papers, legislator and Secretary of State, Madison was a great American. As a president, however, he was only average. Madison was strongly in favor of the adoption of the Constitution and he was in favor of certain federal powers. Later, during Washington's presidency, Madison, along with Thomas Jefferson, began to oppose many of these powers that the administration exercised (particularly through Alexander Hamilton) and when political parties were formed, he became a Jeffersonian Republican. Wills notes that he continued to change, however, and as President, Madison consolidated many powers that would have seemed to make him a Federalist. Wills sees a distinction, however, between a true Federalist and modernization. A true Federalist saw centralized banking and credit as a way for the privileged classes to obtain financing. Under Madison, powers were consolidated in more of a meritocracy, making credit vaiulable to all who merited it. In other words, unlike the Federalists, power was not for the benefit of the privileged classes. Another example of this is that because of the war of 1812, military commissions began to be bestowed on the basis of merit rather than as a prize.
Madison was not a great President because he could not manage personnel well and because he followed poor policies of the Jefferson administration. In trying to cope with the problems of violations of US nuetrality in the seas and British impressment of US seamen, he continued the policy of an embargo, mistakenly thinking that commercial sanctions would get Britain to change it's policies. When he finally went to war, the strategy was an ill conceived effort to attack Canada and defeat the British there. He continued the policies of not developing a navy but, ironically, the first major victories of the war were by the meager navy that existed.
The conclusion of the war was ambiguous enough to leave open the debate as to whether the United States or Britain won. Wills points out that in the treaty of Ghent, the United States achieved none of its pre war goals. On the other hand, the war concluded with some military victories. Whether or not the United States won, the issues of nuetrality on the seas and impressment took care of themselves since as tensions between Britain and France eased, there was no longer a need for Britain to violate nuetrality and impress seamen. Wills notes that Madison was very popular when his presidency concluded and that, therefore, he must be rated at least an average President despite his deficiencies. This book offers good insights and I recommend it.
Book Description
Today we hold the Constitution in such high regard that we can hardly imagine how hotly contested was its adoption. In fact, many of the thirteen states saw fierce debate over the document, and ratification was by no means certain. Virginia, the largest and most influential state, approved the Constitution by the barest of margins, and only after an epic political battle between James Madison and Patrick Henry. Now Richard Labunski offers a dramatic account of a time when the entire American experiment hung in the balance, only to be saved by the most unlikely of heroes--the diminutive and exceedingly shy Madison. Here is a vividly written account of not one but several major political struggles which changed the course of American history. Labunski takes us inside the sweltering converted theater in Richmond, where for three grueling weeks, the soft-spoken Madison and the charismatic Patrick Henry fought over whether Virginia should ratify the Constitution. The stakes were enormous. If Virginia voted no, George Washington could not become president, New York might follow suit and reject the Constitution, and the young nation would be thrust into political chaos. But Madison won the day by a handful of votes, mollifying Anti-Federalist fears by promising to add a bill of rights to the Constitution. To do this, Madison would have to win a seat in the First Congress. Labunski shows how the vengeful Henry prevented Madison's appointment to the Senate and then used his political power to ensure that Madison would run against his good friend, Revolutionary War hero James Monroe, in a House district teeming with political enemies. Overcoming great odds, Madison won by a few hundred votes, allowing him to attend the First Congress and sponsor the Bill of Rights. Packed with colorful details about life in early America, this compelling and important narrative is the first serious book about Madison written in many years. It will return this under-appreciated patriot to his rightful place among the Founding Fathers and shed new light on a key turning point in our nation's history.
Customer Reviews:
Tedious recounting of events without much analysis or perspective.......2007-08-03
I hate saying bad things about other people's books because I know how much hard work goes into each one, though I have to advise the reader of this review to find another book if you're interested in the creation of the Bill of Rights. If it weren't for this book being on audio disc I would never have finished it. It's very boring and flat. The material is doubtlessly interesting, and I imagine that depending upon the author's take on the subject, this book could come out in many different, yet equally interesting, permutations.
My strong criticism it that it is the book has no incisive analysis of the subject, nothing to make it read, no sense of perspective,...how this subject played out in the bigger scheme of things and over time. The epilogue was equally disappointing, offering the scantiest description of how the ideas contained in the Bill of Rights affected future generations. In fact, I was eagerly looking forward to reading the epilogue, it was the only thing keeping me going, and I was disappointed.
So, what we get is just a simply recounting of the events, without much to make the writing interesting. It really gets tedious and boring, sounding like a straight reading of an official transcript or diary especially when the author describes the proceedings of the Virginia Constitutional ratifying Convention and other similar events, which is what a lion's share of the book is.
Any suggestions??
Democracy in Action.......2007-06-17
"James Madison and the Struggle for the Bill of Rights" was a very enjoyable read, and one that I would definitely enjoy reading again. It is full of detail, but doesn't lack on readability either. Unlike some of the reviewers, I enjoyed the details of weather conditions and felt that this information was important to telling the struggle for the Bill of Rights as weather was a huge obstacle to travel in that time. I also was able to better picture what it would be like to sit in a hot, sultry, building with no ventilation (as when the windows had to be closed due to the noisy streets) and spend hours discussing how much power the constitution would grant the federal government or if it indeed would greatly infringe on individual liberties.
Lets go out on a limb, and say that James Madison probably wouldn't make it in politics today. He was 5'4", shy, soft spoken, and portrayed by the author as extremely timid when speaking in front of a large group. He also "flip-flopped" on his stance on the Bill of Rights, which at that time seemed to be democracy working (Today he would probably be eaten alive); Madison seems to not only believe passionately about the importance of a strong federal government, but evolves to believe just as passionately about the protection of the people's individual rights (Thus- A Bill of Rights). OK, it could be argued that he had to compromise and promise support of a Bill of Rights to get elected, but the author seems to feel that Madison truly believed in their importance. The story of Madison is very interesting and even for his time he seems to be somewhat of an underdog whose passion, intellect, and love for his country allowed him to prevail over his short-comings. His election to the House is nothing but fascinating as once again the cards were stacked against him (Thanks to Patrick Henry who gerrymandered his district so that he would likely lose).
The story of Virginia's constitutional congress was every bit as fascinating, and it can be said that human nature and the psychology of politics had many similarities then as it does now. Many people had passionately different philosophical views of what government should and shouldn't be. As could be argued today, both sides had some good points. It was interesting how fear seemed to perpetuate both sides passion. The Anti-Federalists being fearful of a monarchal type of government invading on individual liberty, and the Federalists fearful that individual states wouldn't have economic power or the ability to defend themselves. The author portrays the high-stakes decision of Virginia ratifying the constitution without a Bill of Rights. He points out that if this hadn't happened, George Washington wouldn't have even been eligible to serve in the new government. Anyways, the story of our founders verbally battling it out in a theater in Shocco-Bottom in Richmond is also well portrayed. For anyone interested in American history and politics, I would recommend this book as a must read.
A fascinating piece of history.......2007-06-16
The Bill of Rights was always just there at the end of the Constitution -- a list of unalienable rights to be interpreted, argued over and used to browbeat opponents in political discussions. I, for one, never gave much thought to how those 10 constitutional amendments came to exist within four years of the ratification of the Constitution in 1788.
Now that I know what a narrow thing ratification of the Constitution was (Virginia and New York sought to make adoption conditional upon the adoption of amendments; North Carolina and Rhode Island refused to ratify until the Bill of Rights passed Congress) and how difficult the adoption of amendments so soon after ratification, I'll certainly never take them for granted again. Anti-federalist opposition to the Constitution, particularly without a Bill of Rights to protect individual liberties, was very strong in Virginia, led as it was by the able orator Patrick Henry, who dominated the Virginia Legislature during the late 1780s.
On one point the book is clear: the amendments would not have been proposed and adopted without the guidance of James Madison, first as a member of the Virginia Constitutional Ratifying Convention and then as a member of the US House of Representatives. The story of his battle is a fascinating one, from the first use of gerrymandering to prevent him from being elected to the US House (this was Patrick Henry's idea and it didn't work), to the final triumph in 1791 when Virginia finally ratified the amendments.
If you thought dirty politics was born in the current era, think again. I was struck by how much political maneuvering, both explicit and behind the scenes, existed at a time most Americans think of in mythological terms. Our cherished heroes were politicians all, attempting to satisfy local demands while at the same time doing justice to the larger, longer term issues. They didn't always succeed, but this time they did, thanks to Madison's persistence.
I strongly recommend this book for the light it sheds on a period in US history that is rarely discussed. However, I have only given the unabridged audio edition of this book 4 stars because I thought the narrator read too fast. I found I had to listen to many passages two and three times follow them completely. It's one thing to read fiction at a fast clip, and another when you attempt to speed through historical narrative.
A little more than necessary.......2007-03-09
When listening to books on cd or I-Pod, particularly when non-fiction, I try to make sure I get unabridged versions so I don't feel slighted. With this cd, I could have used a little slighting.
James Madison was indeed important for passing the Bill of Rights. It couldn't have been more amazing since Madison originally believed that a bill of rights was not needed: since Congress was not granted the powers to infringe on basic it rights, so the argument went, there was no need for a bill to protect those rights. Alas, he changed. And this point should serve as a reminder for how difficult it is to rely on supposedly original principles in the Constitution. (Rakove, in Original Meanings, makes that point best.)
The book looks at three or so important points: the Constitutional Convention, the Virginia Constitutional ratification convention, and the First Congress's effort at passing the amendments that would form the Bill of Rights. The first part, the miracle in Philly, has been covered so much elsewhere that yet another treatment wasn't really so necessary. The Virginia ratification convention was fine, but the arguments were very much the same. The First Congress section was the most interesting. Tidbit of interest: Madison wanted the amendments to appear in the main body of the text. Imagine that! What we now know famously as the first ten amendments could have been scatter shot throughout the original document. Shortsightedness on that point by Madison, though he was forward thinking in most other regards.
Labunski did a fine job and it is perfect for those unfamiliar with the Philly stuff. Otherwise it is still fine.
Lots of struggle, not much of what it was over.......2007-01-10
First of all, I do want to say that author Richard Labunski did a fine job detailing the trials and travails of the road to the first Congress travelled by James Madison, one of our most indispensable Founders. Labunski reminds us that history was, while in the making, not nearly as foregone as it seems this far removed. Madison could have lost his election to the First session of the House of Representatives after the new government was formed causing the Constitution to perhaps lose the addition of the Bill of Rights and that would have been calamitous, indeed.
I enjoyed the story of Madison's road as told by Labunski. Madison has been one of those founders who's position as a great Founder has been rocky. Up one decade and down another. Sometimes he has been considered a far lesser light than he deserves to be considered. Currently, he seems to be up which is fortunate. I think he should remain there. He is by far one of the most brilliant Founders we had and it is good that Labunski treats Madison with the respect he deserves.
Here is where I feel the book was lacking, though. Why was the Bill of Rights so important? What were the philosophies, the influences, the reasons the amendments were fought over? Labunski does not take much time to delve further under the surface to ferret out those reasons. He briefly mentions things here and there as the book moves along those lines, but I think his book would have been more complete with a bit more of it.
I found myself wondering what all the fuss was over far too much while reading the book and feel Labunski shorted the reader a fuller explanation.
Still, I give the book a pretty good rating. It is a good tale that is not often told (which is why I think he should have gone deeper, by the way).
It come recommended by me, anyway.
Amazon.com
When Robert Kincaid drives through the heat and dust of an Iowa summer and turns into Francesca Johnson's farm lane looking for directions, the world-class photographer and the Iowa farm wife are joined in an experience of uncommon truth and stunning beauty that will haunt them forever. The romantic classic of the 1990's.
Book Description
When Robert Kincaid drives through the heat and dust of an Iowa summer and turns into Francesca Johnson's farm lane looking for directions, the world-class photographer and the Iowa farm wife are joined in an experience of uncommon truth and stunning beauty that will haunt them forever. The romantic classic of the 1990's.
Download Description
One warm 1960s summer day Robert Kincaid walks into the quaint Iowa town of Winterset to photograph its beautiful old bridges for a photo essay for National Geographic. Asking directions at a local farmhouse, he meets Francesca, a beautiful farm wife whose family is away at the state fair. They fall deeply and immediately in love. For four days, they revel in one another's beauty and the magic that they bring to each other. When it comes time for him to leave, Robert wants her to go with him, but she makes the painful decision to stay with her family. After Robert's gone, Francesca keeps track of him through his pictures in National Geographic. She notices the careworn lines of his well-traveled face, the medallion around his neck that bears her name. After he dies, his ashes are scattered near the bridge they photographed together, and she receives a box of his personal effects. When she dies, she leaves them to her children, along with three volumes of writing which contain her story of their love. True love shines in this spare, simple story. Not literary so much as classic, the love story of Robert and Francesca is as universal and eternal as Romeo and Juliet.
Customer Reviews:
Why some hate it and some love it.......2007-09-09
First I would like to say that although this book is fiction that I believe it is based on a true story, which I feel really makes a difference. If you are looking for a fast paced or even moderately paced book of action you won't find it here. But the depth of emotions and real to life decisions made within it are packed full. Those who have not encountered this type of emotional confusion or who are looking to be entertained will probably not like the book much and find it slow, unrewarding and frankly boring. HOWEVER, those who seek meaning in life, who wish to understand love, commitment and their own emotions will likely love it. This book, to the contrary of some reviewers, does not endorse adultry as evidenced in the final decision made by the characters. Though those seeking only to look on the surface may disagree with me. It is true that the book identifies the deep passion of the two main characters with great splendor and erotica. Nevertheless, it also shows the deep pain the characters contended with as a result. The main character waxes and wanes through a difficult choice. If the reader is reading the book quickly to reach the "excitement" he will fail to catch the real excitement in it. This book needs to be read like a slow sunday drive or a quiet walk through a park. Take your time, FEEL the characters emotions, and you will find the book very rewarding. Bridges of Madison County leaves the moral judgements up to you. Is this a book endorsing adultry or is this a book about love, commitment and in the end the sanctity of marriage? I was personally left with the feeling that one should not jump into marriage, but wait until the "certainty" is there. That the job of a parent does come before your own wants and needs. And finally that, although there is adultry displayed here, the truth is, it also makes clear that marriage is what YOU make it, and that no matter how great you think the new relationship would be it could never survive the guilt and betrayal it would take to possess it. Therefore, we ask ourselves, why go through all that pain for something that really could never be? Franchesca shows us that it isn't love alone that makes a marriage good. We learn how important and romantic life's details, such as laundry, are. I personally believe it helped me to better understand all the facets of marriage, outside of the romance novels. We are never led to believe that her marriage is a bad one, just that her affair was a paradise turned into an emotional hell (granted one she says saved her life, but that the reader can also clearly see destroyed her life). In the end we find ourselves yearning to bring the lovers together, yet we also find ourselves feeling admiration for her decision to stay and put her own feelings a side. In addition it even provides us with what would be a true to life emotion of feeling as if she were a fool to pass it up. Truely we learn about what absolute commitment is, and how with that, any marriage is solid as a rock. This book should shout volumes on the seriousness of marriage and family, something all too often taken much to lightly. It also creates in us a desire to recreate what the lovers share within the confines of our own relationships, hopefully inspiring us to spice up our own marriages. Those with deep sentimental emotions will find this book awakening, true to life's sins, and morally enlightening! I've read it and seen it many times. Scenes dealing with their emotional tug of wars still makes my heart race as if it were a car chase. As with everything in life, it's all in what you expect. Expect little in life and you will usually be pleasantly surprised!
The Hobo Philosopher.......2007-09-05
It seemed for a short period every woman in America was fantasizing over "The Bridges of Madison County". I felt that any book that could stimulate the libido of the American female so drastically must, of necessity, reveal same penetrating insights. So I read the book.
It seems that a rather boring, unimaginative woman, who has lost contact with her loyal, faithful, dutiful husband, decides to have a fling with a traveling `salesman' while her poor husband is off to the 4-H Club fair with the kids.
So she bangs this traveling salesman (who is posing as a photographer for National Geographic - Yeah, National Inquirer, most likely; or more than likely unemployed) upstairs, in the bed of her and her loyal, faithful husband while he and THEIR children are out of sight for ONE damn day.
Well, obviously being a woman of very, very low sexual enthusiasm and appetite, and IMAGINATION this one afternoon fling with some bozo walking by with a knapsack on his back satisfies her for the rest of her life. Not only does it satisfy her for the rest of her life, she fantasizes over the event, to such a neurotic extent that she even writes a letter to her children detailing the episode, for them to read after "she's gone".
In the letter she explains to her children (probably while the old man is sitting on the trunk in the attic next to his kids) that she banged this traveling salesman in the same bed where they were conceived, because their `Daddy'(the man who bought the bed and was paying the mortgage on the building where the bed was being violated), the same man who had taught them to whittle a stick, catch a ball, and spit, was so boring and such a total drag in the bedroom that one hump with a strange hobo has made it possible for her to endure the rest of her entire life with their lump of a father.
They actually made a movie of this book staring Clint Eastward, and some female adulterous impersonator.
I can`t believe it!
For myself I'll take Anna Karenina any day. At least she gets run over by a damn bus!
Other Books.......2007-09-03
Hard to say which is more tedious, the book, or the movie. American film, so more shagging in the book I guess. Ultimately though, I have no reason to be interested in this apart from the guy breaks down in truck part. Then has an affair with a woman who is unhappy where she is, but stays. So what?
I Felt Ripped Off..........2007-08-27
I remember when this book came out and later the movie, there was so much hype surrounding it. I came across it recently and decided to read it. The author starts by telling us that Francesca's two children came to him with a story to tell and needed his help to tell it. We are then told about Robert Kincaid, a photographer for National Geographic and the fateful meeting between him and Francesca as he is photographing the covered bridges in Madison County. After their story, we are then told about the author tracking down a jazz musician that knew Kincaid in his later years. The reader is led to believe that the story is real, with only some unknown details added in.
I'm not sure why this "story" needed to be told. Every character is a work of fiction. There were no children, no Francesca or Robert. The story itself is even hard to grasp even if one suspends reality. It is a tale of adultery that is hard to believe. I'm usually a sucker for sloppy sentimentality, but this one just didn't grab me.
Awfully trite book; pass-the-crying-towels-film.......2007-08-12
Okay, call me cynical. The book is what it is: BAD writing at its, uh, worst. Sigh. Here we have a pulpy, maudlin tale of adultery, draped in the noble robes of LOVE everlasting. SO cute. The book was so lightweight, I think it took me all of a few hours to read it. What a waste. My first thought as I snapped the thing shut was, this novel is badly written but it sure would make one helluva screenplay. Gee, I was right.
Book Description
George Mason (1725-92) is often omitted from the small circle of founding fathers celebrated today, but in his service to America he was, in the words of Thomas Jefferson, "of the first order of greatness." Jeff Broadwater provides a comprehensive account of Mason's life at the center of the momentous events of eighteenth-century America.
Mason played a key role in the Stamp Act Crisis, the American Revolution, and the drafting of Virginia's first state constitution. He is perhaps best known as author of the Virginia Declaration of Rights, often hailed as the model for the Bill of Rights.
As a Virginia delegate to the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia, Mason influenced the emerging Constitution on point after point. Yet when he was rebuffed in his efforts to add a bill of rights and felt the document did too little to protect the interests of the South, he refused to sign the final draft. Broadwater argues that Mason's recalcitrance was not the act of an isolated dissenter; rather, it emerged from the ideology of the American Revolution. Mason's concerns about the abuse of political power went to the essence of the American experience.
Customer Reviews:
We Learn of Him, But Still Don't "know" Him..........2007-04-07
George Mason, truly an ignored Founder of whom Thomas Jefferson said was "one of our really great men", is treated in a fair and easy to read biography penned by Jeff Broadwater.
The book follows his political career touching upon the many important bills and concepts he introduced into the Revolutionary era Virginia Legislature. The book does a fine job shining a light upon what a key figure to our founding that Mason was.
In many ways, however, one gets a negative view of the man over his constant shirking of duty -- he too often arrived late or not at all to legislative sessions -- and his constant complaining over his health. Granted, if one knows much about the Founders and their era, health seems to be one thing they all constantly whined about. After all, men rarely lived past the late 30s in those days, so any pain or discomfort was feared to be death come a' knocking.
In any case, it was interesting to see the turmoil and difficulty that the state of Virginia had funding and supplying troops to the war effort. With history settled, it is always too easy to feel that the country was united with a single mind and all for the spilt with England as well as ready to sacrifice their last strengths to that effort. Reality, though, is a far different thing than the rose-colored glasses of popular sentiment.
One thing seemed missing from this book, as important as is the information contained within. Mason's voice does not come through in Broadwater's work. We never get as much of a feel for the man as we do for his end work and the times in which he lived.
It's a shame that Broadwater didn't give us more of Mason's own quotes so that we might see what his contemporaries saw in his applauded rhetoric. Perhaps not enough of his own words survive to have attempted that treatment and maybe Broadwater really only had Mason's legislative work from which to glean "the" man, but I still felt the book seemed somewhat detached from the man himself.
In any case, I recommend the book to those who are interested in a Founder who has missed out on the lionizing so many of his fellows have received.
Need a Reason to Struggle Through It.......2007-02-26
I was actively looking forward to a book about George Mason, whose home is a landmark I visited 40-50 years ago, and whose name in my area adorns a major street and a university. Who was he? This book helps explain that. An amazing tale, really, of a gent who had a surprising lot to do with the birth of our nation and its constitution, yet is relatively little known. (Author Broadwater notwithstanding, it's no mystery why Mason has been neglected; he may have been an influential, clear, brilliant, and nonpartisan thinker but he didn't support the Constitution and in general, shunned the limelight.)
The book is not just a biography, but a deep-reaching regional history. It tells a lot about the economic and social issues of the "American colonies" in the 18th century. Many of us overlook that, in the turmoil of creating a nation, there were a lot of ongoing matters of concern, such as the future of the lands to the west. Mason's careful husbanding of his economic and commercial interests augurs the role that commercialism has played ever since in the formation of our country. Finally, Mason's role in creating our Bill of Rights and some of the key elements of the U.S. Constitution cannot be overlooked, but his view that the inevitable tendency of "rulers" to augment their power leads just as inevitably to tyranny remains well worth keeping in mind today.
The writing is a bit turgid, and if you're not much interested in the finer points of constitutional law or legislation, this will likely be a boring book. The author's annoying reliance on "if" clauses, (about one per paragraph) rather than the simple "but", doesn't help.
Too boring to finish.......2007-01-10
I struggled for a long time to try and force myself to read this book. I finally gave up and donated it to our public library. It was boring beyond belief. Only 1 of our 7 member book club finished it, and he didn't like it either!
Good biography of one of the lesser known Founders.......2006-11-13
George Mason was an important figure, seemingly coming out of nowhere, just before and during the Revolution and up to the formulation of the Constitution. He is one of the lesser known founders, probably as much known for being one of the few who refused to sign the Constitution (along with such figures as Luther Martin and Elbridge Gerry).
One key aspect of Mason's personality (page 19): ". . .Mason possessed an incisive intellect and a commanding personality, but he was not inclined to suffer fools gladly or to compromise his own opinions. Given his nature, the mystery may not be why Mason initially showed little interest in the day-to-day business of government, but why he sought public office at all."
This book focuses on his consuming passion for business, including his tenacious effort to make the Ohio Company work. This land company intended to take land and develop it for the profit of the owners. It was a constant struggle and never panned out as desired. His political views had some quirky elements for the time, including a condemnation of slavery (although phrased in the context of the times), although he himself owned slaves.
Given his reputation as one of the leaders in the runup to the Revolution and through the Consitutional Convention, it is odd to see that he was not involved in politics in a major way until middle age. Yet, from 1774 to the Revolution, he bacame one of the major writers of Revolutionary tracts, laying out a critique of England and a case for freedom. While his relations with George Washington were sometimes frosty, he apparently worked well with other leading Virginians, such as Patrick Henry, Thomas Jefferson, James Monroe, James Madison, and Richard Henry Lee.
After the Constitution was ratified, with Mason arguing against this document, his health began to decline, until he died in 1792. He grew disenchanted with the national government and disagreed with many of its policies after Washington became president. However, he appears to have remained on good terms with some officials, such as John Marshall and James Monroe. While he remained mildly active in local politics from 1789 until his death, he refused an appointment to the United States Senate.
In the end, Mason (page 251) "helped to make a respectable revolution." His legacy (page 251): ". . .his contribution to America's founding documents: the Declaration of Independence through the Virginia Declaration of Rights through his dogged opposition to a Constitution without one."
The book is not particularly elegantly written, but the style is serviceable. There is enough depth to the biography that the reader gains a pretty good picture of Mason, his life, his times, and his role in history. For those interested in the Founding generation and its major actors, this book would be a useful addition to one's library.
Book Description
America's greatest political thinker, in the most comprehensive one-volume collection ever published
Over 200 years after the founding of the federal republic, James Madison remains the most important political thinker in American history. The prime framer of the Constitution and the Bill of Rights, Madison was also a brilliant expositor of the new republican government and its underlying principles. His eloquent and insightful writing on freedom of religion, freedom of speech and the press, the rights of minorities under majority rule, the role of the states in the federal system, and the separation of powers are central to American political thought and speak to the controversies of the present day.
James Madison: Writings is the most comprehensive one-volume selection ever published. Arranged chronologically, it contains almost 200 documents written between 1772 and 1836. Included are all 29 of Madison's contributions to The Federalist, as well as speeches and letters that illuminate his central role in framing and ratifying the Constitution and in the adoption of the Bill of Rights; early writings on religious freedom; revealing correspondence with Jefferson, Washington, Alexander Hamilton, and James Monroe; his eloquent denunciations of the Alien and Sedition Acts; influential writings on republican government and constitutional interpretation; and candid private appraisals of the personalities and events he witnessed in four decades of public life. Writings from Madison's terms as secretary of state and president record his determination to uphold American independence during the conflicts of the Napoleonic era and his conscientious leadership of the nation during the fiercely controversial War of 1812. Letters and essays from his retirement reveal his deepening concern over the sectional threat to the federal union he loved.
James Madison: Writings includes explanatory notes, a chronology of Madison's life, and an index.
Customer Reviews:
James Madison: Writings: Writings 1772-1836 (Library of America).......2007-01-09
I do not think Library of the America has even put out a bad book and this is no exception. The contents are of great use to anyone interested in our government. The index in the back is exhaustive and helps greatly. Buy this book.
One way to approach this book and others in the Library of America.......2006-07-10
I suspect the idea of reading a collection of writings by Madison, Washington, Hamilton and Jefferson to feel a little too much like home work for most of us to want to do it. I also believe fervently that if you really want to learn the history of this country that such a reading is a necessity.
Several years ago, I found a useful way around this paradox. Buy the Library of America volumes of the above individuals and keep them around for when you read contemporary works about the Founders.
I have recently read several books on Madison (right now I am going thru McCoy's excellent The Last of the Fathers). Whenever an author like McCoy mentions one of Madison's writings I go to my LOA Madison volume and read that writing first.
I have found this procedure to have several advantages. It allows me to form my own ideas about the document before McCoy (or whomever I am reading) can influence me. Thus I am provided a quick check on what they are asserting. Over time, this procedure has led me through much of the Jefferson and the Madison volumes. Sometimes I find myself bouncing back and forth between the volumes following a series of letters. (As an aside, it would be a great service if someone were to provide a well-chosen edition of their letters to each other.)
In general, I have found the Madsion volume to be extremely well-selected. I find about 80% of the documents referred to to be contained in this volume. Unlike the others, my major complaint is that there are not any of his notes on the debates during his tenure in the Continental Congress. I would have taken the more controversial route of leaving out Madison's essays from The Federalist. They are easily obtained and take up over 20% of this volume. Those 190 pages would have afforded a nice overview of his Continental Congress service and his Secretary of State and Presidential service (only 50 pages of material!)
But this is a minor complaint. Rakove as stated by all of the reviewers below has done a great job. Whether you use it like I do or work your way through assiduously this is a necessary volume to own for any American history fan.
Constitutional Questions?.......2003-08-31
The history of the making of our Constitution can be read here. Much valuable insight into contemporary constitutional questions, including separation of Church and State (Madison was a fervent exponent of 'the wall'). A must have and must read for today's politically minded citizen. Surprises abound.
James Madison Speaks for Himself.......2002-05-25
The American Founders are receiving a great deal of merited attention in popular histories such as "John Adams" and "The Founding Brothers." These books have the merits of readability and accesibility -- of providing knowledge and historical context of the early days of our country in a relatively short but informed compass.
The Library of America's series of writings by America's Founders -- including Washington, Jefferson, Hamilton and many others besides the book of James Madison's writings -- are longer and more difficult to read. They consist of original texts with only the slightest endnotes and historical chronology. (In this book of Madison's writings, the historical chrononogy is excellent) The disadvantage, if that is the correct word, of the Library of American's series is that reading these books takes substantial effort and digging. In addition, it is difficult to stop with one book, as each collection relates to and requires and understanding of the work of the other Founders. The advantage these books offer, though, can't be found anywhere else. They offer a chance to meet and encounter American's Founders in their own words and on their own terms and to see the development of their thoughts over time.
James Madison (1751-1836) was probably America's greatest political thinker. His career spanned the Revolutionary War, the formation of the Articles of the Confederation, the Constitution, and the Bill of Rights, the creation of party in America, the Louisiana Purchase, and the War of 1812, which occurred during his Presidency.
The Library of America's collection of over 900 pages offers a rare opportunity to read in one place the major writings of James Madison. It allows the reader an opportunity to assess his importance and to see the themes Madison developed throughout his life.
A major contribution of Madison was his insistence on freedom of religion in the United States and his opposition to any established sect. These theme pervades this volume from the Amendments Madison proposed to the Virginia declaration of rights in 1776, through the Bill of Rights, Madison's Presidency, and beyond.
Madison was also the architect of representative government. He was a member of the Constitutional Convention and took copious notes of its proceedings. He was the major draftsman of the Constitution. He spoke for both a strong National government and for representative government -- in which the people chose their leaders.
Together with Alexander Hamilton, Madison wrote the Federalist papers which explained the Constitution to the people of New York but in a larger sense to the United States in his day and in succeeding days as well. This collaboration was significant in that Madison and Hamilton would later quarrel and be the founders of the party system. Madison and Jefferson spoke for what has become the Democratic Party (the "democracy) with its emphasis at the time on individual rights and participatory democracy and a narrow reading of Federal power while Hamilton became the spokseman for a strong central government and for economic development.
The book chronicle's Madison's efforts in supporting and drafting the Bill of Rights. Subsequently, Madison wrote a lengthy article for the State of Virginia expressing opposition to the Alien and Sedition Acts that Congress enacted during the Presidency of John Adams. The opposition was based on the inconsistency of the act with the freedom of speech set forth in the First Amendment and to the lack of authority for these Acts in the original constitution.
The book has comparatively little on Madison's career as Secretary of State under Thomas Jefferson and on Madison's own relatively unsuccessful Presidency during the War of 1812.
Upon leaving the Presidency, Madison enjoyed a long retirement at Montpelier. This collection gives a good view of Madison's continued activity during this time. It discusses his views on slavery and on the impending Missouri compromise (Madison opposed it -- an opposition that would haunt the United States in the later Dred Scott decision) and on Judicial Supremacy -- the power of the Supreme Court to declare laws unconstitutional. (Madison agreed the Court had this power but he disagreed with the way Chief Justice Marshall used it.)
One of the final items in this book is a short, two paragraph article entitled "Advice to my Country" written 1n 1834 as a parting before Madison's death. Looking at the impending conflict between North and South, but speaking to our time as well Madison wrote:
"The advice nearest to my heart and deepest in my convictions is that the Union of the States be cherished and perpetuated."
This is an important wish for our country now as then.
This book will repay reading and study. The study of our Founders is, I think, one of the best ways to learn to love and understand our country.
Enormous selection and chronology.......2001-03-11
Rakove's contribution to Madisonian scholarship is well advanced, despite the great heights at has already achieved, by this collection. An erudite reviewer mentioned this might have benefited from stage setting by Rakove and this is true, for Rakove is among the few who could have set the stage for so precise and capacious a topic as Madison's refelctions. Despite the absence of background it is an excllent collection. In this 250 th year of Madison's birth and considering the recent scholarship by Rakove, Banning, McCoy, Rosen,and Mattern, the time may have arrived for Madison to be transformed from a forgotten lieutenant, or a keeper of arcanum, to a state of appreciation by all.
Book Description
Here, in a single volume, is a selection of the classic critiques of the new Constitution penned by such ardent defenders of states' rights and personal liberty as George Mason, Patrick Henry, and Melancton Smith; pro-Constitution writings by James Wilson and Noah Webster; and thirty-three of the best-known and most crucial Federalist Papers by Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and John Jay. The texts of the chief constitutional documents of the early Republic are included as well.
David Wootton's illuminating Introduction examines the history of such "American" principles of government as checks and balances, the separation of powers, representation by election, and judicial independence—including their roots in the largely Scottish, English, and French "new science of politics." It also offers suggestions for reading The Federalist, the classic elaboration of these principles written in defense of a new Constitution that sought to apply them to the young Republic.
Customer Reviews:
A Comparative Analysis.......2006-02-11
Among the significant documents of American history, few hold such a high degree of significance as the FEDERALIST PAPERS, constructed by Alexander Hamilton, James Madison and John Jay. There is an endless list of books written on the Federalist Papers of which to choose from, however, the Anti-Federalist side of the argument has, for the most part, been ignored among American historians, and I know of no other volume that gives the reader a better opportunity to examine both sides of the argument together. THE ESSENTIAL FEDERALIST AND ANTI-FEDERALIST PAPERS, edited by David Wootton, presents both sides of the argument for the reader's examination.
Wootton provides documents defending each argument beginning with the historical sources, such as Blackstone's COMMENTARIES, used to construct the Constitution. Seven antifederalist voices follow, beginning with George Mason's broadside and concluding with four of Judge Robert Yates' ESSAYS OF BRUTUS.
This book serves a long overdue purpose, however, is not without fault. I'm sure, for brevity's sake, Wootton has included only 33 of the Federalist Papers (the original 33 which appeared in the New York newspapers, none of the later 52 papers which appeared in book form). My biggest disappointment in the book, however, is that the Federalist and Anti-Federalist arguments are separated rather than in chronological order. This would have made it much easier to comprehend what was being said in that, many of the arguments were responses to previous arguments from the opposition.
The book concludes with a selection of Constitutional documents. The Articles of Confederation, Madison and Edmund Randolph's Virginia Plan, and the Constitution-together with the first ten amendments-finish the volume, which also features a detailed index. Even though there were a few things I did not like about this book, if your goal is to research both sides of the Federalist/Anti-Federalist argument, this is a terrific source and will save you countless hours of research.
Monty Rainey
www.juntosociety.com
Book Description
Judged to be one of the greatest histories in English, this monumental work culminated Adams' lifelong fascination with the intertwined pasts of his family and his country. Carefully researched and written in a strong, lively, and ironic style, the "History" chronicles the consolidation of American nationality and character amidst the dangerous conflicts of the Napoleonic era. The original 9-volume edition, long out-of-print, is complete in these two volumes.
Customer Reviews:
Adams: History of the US - Madison Administration (2).......2006-07-11
Although dated, these volumes remain a must. They are dated (1889-1991) but they provide a glimpse about the past history of the US. Following this time, with the end of the Spanish-American war documents came to light providing sometimes different views of historical moments such as the role of Gen. James Wilkinson with the Spaniards.
American stature grows with Madison in the background.......2005-05-22
It is hard to write a concise review of a volume of 1500 pages, and I did read the whole volume. When I subscribed to Library of America this was a volume that really interested me. I can say that it exceeded my expectations as a marvelous narrative history of an overshadowed era of American history. This volume has filled in my knowledge of this period and at the same time provided hours of entertainment.
The book covers two primary topics. The first is the diplomatic history that led up to the War of 1812 and the second is the story of that war. James Madison is a background character who does not dominate the action as Jefferson did in Adam's previous volume. The scholarship is excellent as each event is covered in great detail. Adam's writing has a unique style that compares well to Edward Gibbon.
The diplomatic history is covered in great detail with excerpts from letters and conversations telling the story of the arrogance of Napoleon and the British that culminated in the war. Napoleon is portrayed as a power seeker who lied to the Americans and stole their property with no compunctions. The British are even more villianous. They are portrayed as very thorough and practiced in their diplomatic dealings, treating America as a child with less status than when they were colonies. The studied contempt poured on the Americans made me angry.
The war movement was led by Congress over the opposition of Madison. Britain became the object of war based upon the nearness of Canada and their continual impressment including the attack on an American warship before the war. The attacks of the Indians on the frontier stirred up by the British also fueled the aggressiveness of the Congressional War Hawks.
The war of 1812 brings out Adams chauvanism. He continually praises the American soldiery despite their lack of any real success and saves his highest compliments for the American navy. I am not a military historian but given the fact that Washington was sacked and burned it would not appear that the American military was very effective. I did enjoy the portrayal of the Battle of New Orleans and have read it several times. The British got their ass kicked by their own admission and even though the war was over this victory made the nation proud. The naval exploits are supported by quotes from the British and it does appear that one on one the Americans were superior.
The book closes with some interesting social history and concludes with Adams analysis of the effect of the war. He states that the war established the unity of the nation and assured the success of the American experiment. The ascendacy of New England that had given rise to the first secession movement was ended. The end of the fear of the European powers allowed America to concentrate on building their own nation. The people of America had gained the necessary confidence to strike their own way building a unique nation.
1500 pages is a lot of work. It was worth it to me. My knowledge and understanding of our history in this era was greatly increased. The writing is excellent and the LOA editions are always first rate. If you have the curiousity and make the investment of time I am sure you will find it worthwhile.
A Pivotal Age in American Politics.......2003-08-20
Unlike the first volume where Jefferson dominated every page, Madison is virtually invisible in the first 400 pages. During his administration, his principles and acts were either thwarted by a bungling 13th Congress, or superseded by an energetic 14th Congress. As well (according to Adams) this was the last age in which ambassadors and envoys carried so much weight in the administration. Afterwards the Congress became the premier power in the United States, with ambassadors playing important but less conspicuous roles, and the President becoming less of a political force. In the first 400 pages, Adams painstakingly describes the diplomatic engagements that embroiled us into a war with England and France, and then brilliantly describes the naval and land battles that occurred during the War of 1812. After Washington was burned (for which Madison was jeered and vilified when passing from village to village), the United States broke into an economic vitality not known before (which tended to make the public forget the burning of Washington). Massachusetts, which had threatened secession with Connecticut and Rhode Island, was humbled by the new Republican Treasurer, whose autocratic policies helped to reduce one state's superiority over another. An interesting and energetic portrayal of life in early America, and the sudden maturation process of our diplomatic and economic infancy.
A classic, lovingly researched and written.......2001-08-19
This book is a dignified piece of historical writing. Although it is long, it manages to be significant throughout. The personality profiles are interesting, the battle descriptions are gripping, and the political analysis is acute. Before reading this volume (and its companion), I did not realize how pivotal the events of this era were in shaping the rest of 19th century US. Recommended to those with time to ponder, especially if they are fond of Adams' writing style.
Book Description
THE FEDERALIST PAPERS Read the latest edition of an American classic: The Federalist Papers. Including all 85 original articles arguing on behalf of the United States Constitution, The Federalist Papers is a "must read" for any history buff, anyone interested in political science, and for those interested in issues relating to individual vs. governmental rights. Famous authors include: Alexander Hamilton, James Madison and John Jay. Though first published in the 1700's, the timeless Federalist Papers remain a true philosophical gem even today. THE ANTI-FEDERALIST PAPERS Experience history come alive as you read the powerful political debates concerning the birth of the United States Constitution in the "The Anti-Federalist Papers", a compilation of articles by the passionate nay-sayers of centralized government. Including famous Anti-Federalist authors such as Patrick Henry, "Cato", and "Brutus", the political forum herein presented captures not only the ambiance of the 1700's, but these classic debates concerning individual rights and freedom are relevant to us still today.
Customer Reviews:
The Research Man.......2007-08-06
James Madison was the man who did research and wrote for the politicians of his era. He was the brains behind the speaker (John Adams), the warrior (George Washington), and the diplomat (Thomas Jefferson). He held true to the republican principles, to a fault, literally.
This book can be tedious. It is dense. But it is the very best explanation of the circumstances leading to the War of 1812 I have ever found.
Plan on having another book going at the same time you are reading this one. Or, plan on some good naps along the way because it is complex reading.
Essential reading for understanding James Madison.......2007-08-05
I will start this review by saying that this book is not for the casual reader. To enjoy this book, you have to have a serious interest in the life and political thought of James Madison. The writing style, while certainly not as bad as other reviews have stated, is a straightforward academic presentation that at times can be a bit tedious. That being said, in terms of content this is as excellent a one volume biography as I believe you will find. Ketcham manages to present a full portrait of James Madison with thoughtful and excellent analysis in a surprisingly short amount of text. After reading this volume, I came away with a much better understanding of, and appreciation for, James Madison. Unlike other biographers, who sometimes waste more text than necessary on their own analyses, Ketcham interjects his analysis sparingly but brilliantly.
My minor criticisms are similar to others. The beginning of the book is the most difficult part to read and reflects Ketcham's main weakness as an author - narrative biography. This is especially pronounced in one instance, where he tells the story of Madison's first trip to Princeton, admitting that the story is based on his own best construction of what probably happened since no records are available, and then proceeds with the most boring narrative imaginable. If you are going to tell a conjectural story, at least make it interesting. Ketcham also overuses to annoyance the term "bilious" and frequently uses the word "insure" incorrectly where "ensure" should be used.
Ultimately, my criticisms of this volume are more for providing a two sided review than real detractions. Ketchams volume, while not lively reading, is a superb biography and undoubtedly the best one volume biography of James Madison currently available. Indeed, this biography is perfectly in line with the personality of Madison - while not exciting for its own sake, thoroughly well researched and executed, and ultimately essential.
Mentally draining bio of 4th President.......2007-06-08
I read this book working toward my goal of reading a biography of each President. I'm now nearly half way though and this was by FAR the toughest one to finish.
I read Stephen Ambrose's entire three-part, 18000 page series on Nixon faster than I read this nearly 700 page book on Madison. I can't say I wasn't warned because all the reviews said it was deep and detailed but I didn't want to take the easy way out because the experts say this is by far the book to read on Madison.
It was truly a very well researched and informative book. However, there were chunks of the book that were too detailed and moved too slowly. For instance, I don't care what Dolley Madison wore to balls or how the decorations looked or what political couples attended and what the other wives were wearing. I also don't care how tough the trip was for everyone to get everywhere and how Madison got sick everytime the wind blew the wrong way on the Potomac.
What I do care about is how Madison worked with Jefferson and others to shape our form of government. I care about his time in congress, how he handled his duties during the revolution, the circumstances that lead to his Presidency, how he managed the war of 1812, what role he played in critical issues such as the development of the national bank and the treatment of American sailors by the British navy. I also really wanted to know about his relationship with other well known historical figures.
All of that information is in there but it is buried amongst stuff that to be honest I just didn't care about.
Ketcham is obviously "The Man" when it comes to James Madison and I'm quite sure in historical circles this book is highly respected because it is such a complete bio of him. But, it definitely isn't for your average reader.
For those new bio readers interested in Presidents I would suggest Robert Dallek's book on JFK or Jead Edward Smith's bio of Grant. Those are detailed but they are told with the backdrop of better known periods - Civil War/Reconstruction and WWII/Cold War. Those are more interesting periods I think and those bios seemed to move faster.
This book was good but you've got to be ready to get into it and pay attention because the details and stuff that you really care about can be hidden and very laborious at times to get to.
A medicore biography.......2006-12-14
James Madison might be the worst president in history when his life is laid out as Ketcham has done here. The administration was a complete failure from the loss of the capital to economic problems. Despite this Madison's contributions to the constitution and the bill of rights are impressive. Unfortunately this biography was not very well written and although the information was good I found myself slow to get through it. It does not hold in the tradition of many other biographies on people from these times that are real page turners. If you are truly interested in Madison this biography will do the job otherwise I would only rate it as mediocre for those who have an interest in the American Revolution.
Completely Exhausting.......2006-06-29
Although I found this book very interesting, I thought it was way too detailed to the point of exhaustion in certain areas of Madison's life. However, if you want to know everything there is to know about James Madison, this is the book. I am an avid reader of presidential biographies, however, I almost dreaded returning to this book night after night to plow thru tedious and repetitive details in order to learn about this great man. This is why only 3 stars.
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| Subjects
| Books
The Anti-Federalist Papers and the Constitutional Convention Debates (Signet Classics)
Common Sense, The Rights of Man and Other Essential Writings of Thomas Paine (Signet Classics)
Democracy in America (Signet Classics)
The Declaration of Independence and the Constitution of the United States of America
Democracy in America (Penguin Classics)
