Madison's Gift: Five Partnerships That Built America

Stewart, David O.

ISBN 10: 145168858X / ISBN 13: 9781451688580

Published by Simon & Schuster, 2015

Gently used with minimal wear on the corners and cover. A few pages may contain light highlighting or writing, but the text remains fully legible. Dust jacket may be missing, and supplemental materials like CDs or codes may not be included. May be ex-library with library markings. Ships promptly! Seller Inventory # DBV.145168858X.G

Synopsis:

Historian David O. Stewart restores James Madison, sometimes overshadowed by his fellow Founders, to his proper place as the most significant framer of the new nation.

Short, plain, balding, neither soldier nor orator, low on charisma and high on intelligence, Madison cared more about achieving results than taking the credit. To reach his lifelong goal of a self-governing constitutional republic, he blended his talents with those of key partners. It was Madison who led the drive for the Constitutional Convention and pressed for an effective new government as his patron George Washington lent the effort legitimacy; Madison who wrote the Federalist Papers with Alexander Hamilton to secure the Constitution's ratification; Madison who corrected the greatest blunder of the Constitution by drafting and securing passage of the Bill of Rights with Washington's support; Madison who joined Thomas Jefferson to found the nation’s first political party and move the nation toward broad democratic principles; Madison, with James Monroe, who guided the new nation through its first war in 1812, really its Second War of Independence; and it was Madison who handed the reins of government to the last of the Founders, his old friend and sometime rival Monroe. These were the main characters in his life.

But it was his final partnership that allowed Madison to escape his natural shyness and reach the greatest heights. Dolley was the woman he married in middle age and who presided over both him and an enlivened White House. This partnership was a love story, a unique one that sustained Madison through his political rise, his presidency, and a fruitful retirement.

Review: "It's hard to imagine anyone saying anything new about James Madison, but David O. Stewart with his 'five partnerships' has done it; and he has done it in a very beautifully written book."--Gordon S. Wood, author of "The Idea of America: Reflections on the Birth of the United States"

"In this brilliantly conceived and beautifully written work, Stewart has contributed not only the best of the many recent volumes on Madison himself, but also made a signal contribution to our understanding of the founding of the Republic."--Ralph Ketcham, author of "James Madison: A Biography"

"James Madison was the shy, bookish, serviceable man who always managed to come out on top. David O. Stewart tracks him through the partnerships, personal and political, that defined his career, shaped a new nation--and lifted him to the White House."--Richard Brookhiser, author of "James Madison"

It s hard to imagine anyone saying anything new about James Madison, but David O. Stewart with his five partnerships has done it; and he has done it in a very beautifully written book. --Gordon S. Wood, author of "The Idea of America: Reflections on the Birth of the United States""

David Stewart has created a compelling and nuanced portrait of Madison that reveals him anew. "Madison s Gift" is a fascinating exploration of the profound emotional bonds behind the young Republic. --Amanda Foreman, author of "A World on Fire""

In this brilliantly conceived and beautifully written work, Stewart has contributed not only the best of the many recent volumes on Madison himself, but also made a signal contribution to our understanding of the founding of the Republic. --Ralph Ketcham, author of "James Madison: A Biography""

James Madison was the shy, bookish, serviceable man who always managed to come out on top. David O. Stewart tracks him through the partnerships, personal and political, that defined his career, shaped a new nation and lifted him to the White House. --Richard Brookhiser, author of "James Madison""

"David Stewart has created a compelling and nuanced portrait of Madison that reveals him anew. Madison's Gift is a fascinating exploration of the profound emotional bonds behind the young Republic."--Amanda Foreman, author of "A World on Fire"

Bibliographic Details

Title: Madison's Gift: Five Partnerships That Built...
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Publication Date: 2015
Binding: Hardcover
Condition: good