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James Madison
- Narrated by: Ira Claffey
- Length: 6 hrs and 20 mins
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Publisher's summary
In this concise and readable examination of Madison's life and career, Garry Wills outlines the confluence of unfortunate circumstance, misplaced temperament, and outright poor judgment that bogged down Madison's presidency. Though a brilliant theoretician and effective legislator and collaborator, he was not a natural leader of men, and the absence of leadership was keenly felt during wartime. In fact, the War of 1812 was the first foreign war fought under the Constitution, and Madison was forced to adjust many of the assumptions he had made during the drafting of that document. He had to confront hard, practical issues such as public morale, internal security, relations with Congress, and the independence of the military. Though now remembered in part for fleeing the capital as it was under siege, Madison saw his administration come to a close with his popularity on the rise.
Madison's later life, neatly traced by Wills, was also of consequence. For two decades after he left office, he remained tightly bound to the political life of the nation, happily playing the role of popular elder statesman, curiously prefiguring so many of our recent presidents.
Critic reviews
"[A] thoughtful and sympathetic evaluation of the complex character that made Madison a great theoretician of government but a mediocre practitioner of it." (Kirkus Reviews)
"Wills' analysis of the Constitutional Convention and the War if 1812 is particularly fresh and incisive." (Booklist )
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Perhaps no U.S. president was less suited for the practice of politics than John Adams. A gifted philosopher who helped lead the movement for American independence from its inception, Adams was unprepared for the realities of party politics that had already begun to dominate the new country before Washington left office. But, as John Patrick Diggins shows, Adams's contributions still resonate today.
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A Worthy Addition
- By Terry on 01-18-04
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Andrew Jackson
- His Life and Times
- By: H.W. Brands
- Narrated by: John H. Mayer
- Length: 25 hrs and 57 mins
- Unabridged
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The extraordinary story of Andrew Jackson—the colorful, dynamic, and forceful president who ushered in the Age of Democracy and set a still young America on its path to greatness—told by the bestselling author of The First American.
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Very Thorough
- By Eric on 02-07-06
By: H.W. Brands
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James Madison
- A Life Reconsidered
- By: Lynne Cheney
- Narrated by: Eliza Foss
- Length: 18 hrs and 37 mins
- Unabridged
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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 was a crucial factor behind the Constitution’s ratification, and his political savvy was of major importance in getting the new government underway.
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Great man, great ideas, muddling book
- By NDFletch on 06-13-15
By: Lynne Cheney
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The War That Forged a Nation
- Why the Civil War Still Matters
- By: James McPherson
- Narrated by: Grover Gardner
- Length: 7 hrs and 29 mins
- Unabridged
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Pulitzer Prize-winning historian James M. McPherson considers why the Civil War remains so deeply embedded in our national psyche and identity. The drama and tragedy of the war help explain why the Civil War remains a topic of interest. But the legacy of the war extends far beyond historical interest or scholarly attention.
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A Different Kind of History from McPherson
- By Carole T. on 08-11-16
By: James McPherson
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His Excellency
- George Washington
- By: Joseph J. Ellis
- Narrated by: Nelson Runger
- Length: 14 hrs and 33 mins
- Unabridged
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Acclaimed author Joseph J. Ellis penned the National Book Award-winning American Sphinx and the Pulitzer Prize-winning Founding Brothers, a fixture on The New York Times best seller list for an entire year, and one of the most popular history books of all time. Now this master historian turns his attention to the most exalted American hero, Founding Father and first President George Washington.
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Ellis is a known liar
- By Theresa on 02-21-05
By: Joseph J. Ellis
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The Birth of Modern Politics
- Andrew Jackson, John Quincy Adams, and the Election of 1828
- By: Lynn Hudson Parson
- Narrated by: Milton Bagby
- Length: 10 hrs and 9 mins
- Unabridged
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The 1828 presidential election, which pitted Major General Andrew Jackson against incumbent John Quincy Adams, has long been hailed as a watershed moment in American political history. It was the contest in which an unlettered, hot-tempered southwestern frontiersman, trumpeted by his supporters as a genuine man of the people, soundly defeated a New England "aristocrat" whose education and political resume were as impressive as any ever seen in American public life.
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a very good popular history book
- By D. Littman on 01-29-10
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The Men Who Lost America: British Leadership, the American Revolution and the Fate of the Empire
- The Lewis Walpole Series in Eighteenth-Century Culture and History
- By: Andrew Jackson O'Shaughnessy
- Narrated by: Gildart Jackson
- Length: 21 hrs and 5 mins
- Unabridged
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The loss of America was a stunning and unexpected defeat for the powerful British Empire. Common wisdom has held that incompetent military commanders and political leaders in Britain must have been to blame, but were they? This intriguing audiobook makes a different argument. Weaving together the personal stories of ten prominent men historian Andrew O'Shaughnessy dispels the incompetence myth and uncovers the real reasons that rebellious colonials were able to achieve victory.
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It didn't lose me
- By Matt on 04-28-15
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The Politically Incorrect Guide to the Presidents, Part 1
- From Washington to Taft
- By: Larry Schweikart
- Narrated by: John McLain
- Length: 10 hrs and 45 mins
- Unabridged
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Back by popular demand, the bestselling Politically Incorrect Guides provide an unvarnished, unapologetic overview of the topics every American needs to know. The Politically Incorrect Guide to the Presidents, Part 1 profiles America’s early presidents, from George Washington to William Howard Taft.
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Ruining History to Own the Libs
- By Dee on 11-11-20
By: Larry Schweikart
What listeners say about James Madison
Average customer ratingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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Overall
- Alexandra
- 01-26-06
Unexcellent
James Madison is a difficult biographical subject, and unfortunately, this book does not live up to the challenge. The book's flaws were exacerbated by the reader -- the narration is both lifeless and akward. Although short, I found this one of the hardest books to finish.
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3 people found this helpful
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Overall
- Noemi G
- 04-30-05
Biography Is OK
I am an avid reader of revolutionary history and love to read founding father biographies where I can find them. I must say that this biography, though interesting, was not a captivating read. I hang with books that are tough or boring, and this book exhausted me. The author spends a lot of time covering everyone BUT Madison. This book is still very interesting as a backgrounder for this period of time, and for early development of U.S. Constitutional doctrine. As the author concedes, Madison left little personal written record behind. Maybe this is the best we will ever see on this interesting and deeply flawed man. If you have time for this book, put it behind Hamilton, Washington, Adams, Lincoln, Robt. E Lee, Grant, and even John Paul Jones. Still worthwhile if you have the time! The music in between chapters made me want to pull my hair out - it sounded like some dreadful NPR air-filler.
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6 people found this helpful
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Overall
- Michael
- 07-19-05
ZzzzZzzz
I like biographies but not this one. A very dull book about a very dull man, presented by a very dull reader. Warning: May cause drowsiness. Do not listen while driving an automobile or operating heavy equipment.
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3 people found this helpful
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Overall
- Cheryl
- 02-23-07
James Madison
Among biographies of James Madison, this recent short treatise by Garry Wills is without doubt the worst, most shallow and frivolous. Instead of history, Garry Wills, professor of "American Culture", provides a critique of Madison's personality. This book is more of an extended opinion piece and modern journalism than biography or history. There is little attempt at insight or balance. The biography provides more insights into Mr. Wills' personality than that of Madison, who is called feckless, provincal, small-minded and resentful. This book, like most of Gary Wills' books, I was unable to finish.
James Madison -short, unattractive physically, in chronic poor health (what was his chronic illness?) - became the father of the American Constitution and the single major influence in creating our Government, at least the better parts of it. His strengths were the force of his intellect and depth of knowledge of government, created by study, self-discipline and ambition. The shortcomings of his presidency reflected the shortcomings of the early American Government, several of which his administration corrected. He led the country through an unpopular war that was forced upon him without a strong treasury, with an overpowerful Congress and with poor advisors and cabinet members, to a victory that established the United States as a truly independent and forceful nation, correcting the many problems left by the Treaty that ended the Revolutionary War.
Madison learned from his mistakes and deserves better treatment than this book provides. At least give him credit for having perhaps the greatest first lady of our country.
For a more complete and balanced biography of Madison, try Ralph Ketcham's "James Madison. A Biography" and for an easier read or listen, Labunski's "James Madison and the Struggle for the Bill of Rights" available on audiobook.
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9 people found this helpful