James Madison

A Life Reconsidered

By: Lynne Cheney

Narrated by: Eliza Foss

Length: 18 hrs and 37 mins

Publisher's summary

A major new biography of the fourth US president, from New York Times best-selling author Lynne Cheney.

James Madison was a true genius of the early republic, the leader who did more than any other to create the nation we know today. This majestic new biography tells his story.

Outwardly reserved, Madison was the intellectual driving force behind the Constitution. His visionary political philosophy - eloquently presented in the Federalist Papers - was a crucial factor behind the Constitution’s ratification, and his political savvy was of major importance in getting the new government underway. As secretary of state under Thomas Jefferson, he managed the Louisiana Purchase, doubling the size of the United States. As president, Madison led the country in its first war under the Constitution, the War of 1812. Without precedent to guide him, he would demonstrate that a republic could defend its honor and independence while remaining true to its young constitution.

©2014 Lynne Cheney (P)2014 Penguin Audio

Critic reviews

“With this compelling, elegant, original biography, Lynne Cheney brings the great, elusive James Madison back to life, reminding us of how powerfully this brilliant founder’s political and intellectual leadership has shaped the course of American history. In this era in which Madison is too often eclipsed by more histrionic founders, Cheney shows us his crucial, fascinating relationships with Dolley, Thomas Jefferson and an all-star cast, and lets us witness the growth of a world-changing political philosopher. Her book demonstrates why Madison deserves to stand near the center of our early American firmament.” (Michael Beschloss, author of The Conquerors and Presidential Courage)

“Lucidly written... this is probably the best single-volume bio of Madison that we now have.”(Gordon Wood, New York Times Book Review)

“The book is a lovingly researched tribute to an often-underestimated man. It does not explicitly refer to modern controversies. But present-day politics intrudes.” (The Economist)

“[A] meticulously researched, richly detailed look at the life and times of Madison. Former Second Lady Cheney fleshes out the achievements and struggles of this American founding father.... [A]uthoritative, conversational, certainly confident in its analysis.” (Publishers Weekly, starred review)

Excellent

“James Madison: A Life Reconsidered” by Lynne Cheney surprised me with new facts and perspectives, I was previously unaware of. The biography traces the entire life, but it is at its most absorbing in the retelling of Madison’s epic efforts from 1785 through the ratification of the Bill of Rights in December 1791. Madison worked with Jefferson to write the Virginia Constitution, Madison was drafting the blue print that would later become the U.S. Constitution, including the important tenet for religious liberty. A diligent member of the Continental Congress, he along with Alexander Hamilton, proposed a state’s revenue to pay the new county’s debts and promoted Jefferson as a peace negotiator in Paris. Cheney portrays Madison as a brilliant, shrewd statesman who, more than anyone else was responsible for writing the Constitution and Bill of Rights. Cheney devotes substantial space to new information about Madison’s physical maladies, especially a syndrome involving attacks akin to those of epilepsy. Cheney makes clear that Madison was a practical politician. “He was capable not only of deeply creative thinking,” she writes, “but of turning his thoughts into reality.” Cheney primarily portrays Madison in a favorable light but did point out he was capable of changing his mind, for example, during the debates over the Constitution and designing the government, Madison disagreed with Hamilton about the need for a federal bank. Hamilton won the point and developed a federal bank which was dissolved later on. When Madison became President he fought to have the Bank reinstated as he said that the government could not function without a federal bank just as Hamilton had advocated. The author provides the reader with considerable amount of detail about Dolly Madison. She was not only a great hostess but was helpful to Madison in politics and later with managing his papers. I learned from a side note by Cheney that the Republican Party of Madison and Jefferson was actually known as the Democratic-Republican party and had nothing to do with the current day Republican GOP Party which was established just prior to the Civil War. The author goes into a significant amount of detail, such as, Madison’s boarding bill in Philadelphia, the purchasing of table setting from James Monroe, and to Dolley’s knee abscess this all contributes to the richness of the biography. I believe one must read more than one source about a person or topic to obtain a more complete picture of the person or situation. The books I have read about Monroe are an excellent example, because each has provided a different picture of Monroe and his life. I read “James Madison: the Founding Father by Robert Allen Rutland published in 1997 and James Madison: A Biography by Ralph Ketcham published in 1971. Compared to the above books Cheney provided far more insight into Monroe’s personal life and that of Dolley Madison. The biography is well written and Cheney clearly brings to life the character and personality of James and Dolley Madison. Lynne Cheney is the wife of Dick Cheney the former vice President of the United States. I must admit the reason I bought the book was just to see what she had to say and if she was able to write. I am glad I decided to give Cheney a chance as she has turned out to be a good historian. Eliza Foss did an excellent job narrating the book.

Great read and informative History brought alive

This was a joy to read! Informative and balanced narrative in a great story. I feel inspired and again dialed into the constitution

Acceptable but no more

Grade school history at best. Not the depth I expect from a modern historian, will search elsewhere.

Outstanding and complete telling of our 4th Presid

Very engaging and outstanding history of our 4th President. And how important he was to the founding of our nation.

Madison the Supporting Actor

Would you say that listening to this book was time well-spent? Why or why not?

I enjoyed the book but felt like the vast majority of it was an overview of early American history rather than a biography of Madison. Madison is really relegated to a supporting character as the book focuses on the birth and early days of the nation. The book lacked the focus that other historical biographers typically have. I almost felt like Madison was just the hook to retell some of Cheney's favorite stories from early American history.

Did Eliza Foss do a good job differentiating all the characters? How?

Goo reading, clear and easy to understand.

excellent

definitely will listen to it again! informative, well written, very well read. Will also look for other Eliza Foss narrations.

good read

:ery interesting book, I learned alot about other presidents as well as Madison. Very descriptive and unbiased.

A wonderful biography and love story

I LOVE this book so much I read it twice. Even if you are an expert on American history I can guarantee you will learn more from this book. An easy and captivating read. And now I am a huge admirer of James Madison and Lynne Cheney. BTW I have always admired Dolly Madison and enjoyed learning more about her from this book.

We are the Constitution...the Constitution is Madison

This is an amazing perspective on the formation of our country from the perspective of a man that was front and center during its creation and there to guide it for the next half century. Where this book really shines though, is the insight we gain into Madison's genius, foresight and personal struggle in the creation of the U.S. Constitution which remains to this day the foremost blueprint of how a diverse population of people can harmoniously and constructively live together. You will learn what we owe to this great man. Many thanks to Lyn Cheney.

words for the ages

Love the book. Former 2nd Lady Lynne Cheney wrote a memorable book of a much bad-mouthed and ideas stolen from Statesman and President.