 | James Madison: A Son of Virginia and a Founder of the Nation Subjects: Madison James 1751–1836; Presidents -- United States -- Biography; Statesmen -- United States -- Biography; United States -- Politics and government -- 1809–1817; United States -- Politics and government -- 1789–1815; Barton College history professor Broadwater's (George Mason, Forgotten Founder) biography of James Madison, the fourth president of the U.S. and widely considered "The Father of the Constitution," is meticulously researched and surprisingly readable. Given the myriad biographies of the Founding Fathers-and in an attempt to correct the notion that, in Joseph Ellis's words, Madison "seemed to lack a personal agenda because he seemed to lack a personality," Broadwater specifically provides readers with a detailed account of Madison's attempts to secure religious freedom in his native Virginia, his relationship with his charismatic wife Dolley Madison (sometimes referred to as "Lady Presidentess"), and his ongoing struggle with his ideas about slavery. In addition, the author discusses Madison's enormous impact on the Constitution, the Bill of Rights, and the party system, which Madison considered-in Broadwater's words-"at best a necessary evil," hoping instead that an "elaborate system of checks and balances would mitigate their unwholesome tendencies." Though Madison retired after his two terms as president to become a gentleman farmer, matters of politics and the intellect never left him-he wrestled with the issue of slavery till the end of his days. Though the enormous amount of detail will likely put off casual readers, history buffs and early-America aficionados will find Broadwater's work indispensable. Illus. (Mar.) © Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved. |
