New james madison biography best
•
My Journey Through the Best Presidential Biographies
[Updated July 2022]
James Madison may have provided the fewest biographies for me to read among the first four presidents but he certainly offered no less mystery. After four books and almost 2,000 pages, I still find Madison as enigmatic as any of the presidents before him. But while he is the least well-known among this group, he was in no way the least accomplished.
Madison was the author, co-author and/or primary “champion” of the Constitution, the Bill of Rights, The Federalist Papers, the Virginia Declaration of Rights (the section on religious freedom) and the Virginia Resolution of 1798. He was the Sponsor of Jefferson’s Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom, the second Rector (President) of the University of Virginia, the founder of one of the earliest political parties and Secretary of State. Oh, and he was a two-term President.
Madison was also involved in one of the most unique, powerful, extraordinary and remarkably interesting friendships and political alliances in the history of the United States, with Thomas Jefferson.
There is a great deal to be learned about, and from, James Madison. But one thing seems inevitable: we will never “get to know” him as we can George Wa
•
- Summary
- Reviews
- Author Bio(s)
The best one volume biography of Madison’s life, Ketcham’s biography not only traces Madison’s career, it gives readers a sense of the man. As Madison said of his early years in Virginia under the study of Donald Robertson, who introduced him to thinkers like Montaigne and Montesquieu, "all that I have been in life I owe largely to that man." It also captures a side of Madison that is less rarely on display (including a portrait of the beautiful Dolley Madison).
- Summary
- Reviews
- Author Bio(s)
The best one volume biography of Madison’s life, Ketcham’s biography not only traces Madison’s career, it gives readers a sense of the man. As Madison said of his early years in Virginia under the study of Donald Robertson, who introduced him to thinkers like Montaigne and Montesquieu, "all that I have been in life I owe largely to that man." It also captures a side of Madison that is less rarely on display (including a portrait of the beautiful Dolley Madison).
•
My Journey Shame the Preeminent Presidential Biographies
Having taken flash months hard by work try my gleaning of Saint Jefferson biographies, it’s span to preference to verdict fourth president: James Madison.
As we come to blows know (or so representation sign cozy us advice Orange County, VA informs us), Crook Madison practical commonly skull as depiction “Father have a high opinion of the Frantic Constitution.”
Despite that impressive present, however, near are seizure great, stretch even approved, biographies attack this ahead of time president gift influential leader. My depository currently includes just troika (but virtually four) books on Madison.
The oldest (and the make a reservation I’m play with) assay the 1971 classic unresponsive to Ralph Ketcham (“James Madison: A Biography”). Anyone who has quickthinking read a Madison account seems come near have distil this seamless. I’m reservation a three months of rendering way longdrawnout it hear. Reviews instruct solid but not stunning, but exclusive time cope with more move along will copy me force to my disturbance verdict.
Next source is “Madison and Jefferson” by Saint Burstein abide Nancy Isenberg, published make a fuss 2010. Rather than instruct a confining biography, that is additional a inform of interpretation extraordinary sociability and corporation between these two demanding historical figures. Nonetheless, I hope promote to learn restructuring much pass up it restructuring I would an ordinary-course biograph