James Madison and the Making of America

By: Kevin R. C. Gutzman

Narrated by: Arthur Morey

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 listeners 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. Madison 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. He 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.

©2012 Kevin R. C. Gutzman (P)2012 Tantor

Critic reviews

"Recaptures the drama and excitement of the new nation's bold experiment in republican self-government." (Peter S. Onuf, Thomas Jefferson Foundation Professor of History, University of Virginia)

Is it live or is it Memorex?

Would you try another book from Kevin R. C. Gutzman and/or Arthur Morey?

I would try another book by Gutzman.

How did the narrator detract from the book?

I'm sorry to report Morey sounded more like a computer than a person. I've never returned a book but I should have. This was really challenging to stay awake through.

The ratification of the Constitution in Virginia

If you could sum up James Madison and the Making of America in three words, what would they be?

very detailed

If you’ve listened to books by Kevin R. C. Gutzman before, how does this one compare?

It's the only one I've listed to narrated by him.

What does Arthur Morey bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

nothing

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

no

Any additional comments?

The extreme detail about the debates and votes regarding ratifying the US Constitution in the Virginia legislature was tedious.

Not a traditional biography

Would you recommend this book to a friend? Why or why not?

I would recommend this book with caveats as parts are quite slow going.

Would you be willing to try another book from Kevin R. C. Gutzman? Why or why not?

Sure, with careful attention to others' comments about the nature of the book.

Which character – as performed by Arthur Morey – was your favorite?

James Madison is the only one who stood out.

Was James Madison and the Making of America worth the listening time?

Yes, for a different perspective on the law-making processes of the time.

Any additional comments?

With all the detailed accounts of the 'ayes' and 'nays' in the law-making process, it is challenging at times to stay engaged.

Inconsistent story flow

Story was decent. Not clear breaks in the telling of Madison 's life. The story does not do a great job of really explaining the litany of accomplishments of Madison's lfe.

wonderful level of detail.

Very scholarly. Good Madison and not such much Madison explored in detail. Good experience as addition to other Madison bios.