Madison's Gift

December 8, 2014
“Students of American history often neglect Madison,” writes historian and novelist Stewart (The Lincoln Deception) in an inauspicious start—it’s a strange, and arguably inaccurate, generalization—to an otherwise solid work on the great constitutional thinker and fourth president of the U.S. Hitting a surer stride, Stewart examines the man from a fresh angle, looking at the ways in which Madison’s associations with George Washington, Alexander Hamilton, Thomas Jefferson, James Monroe, and his wife, Dolley, helped create the United States. It’s a gimmick of sorts, for Stewart has to justify yet another book on Madison in a period that has seen an explosion of biographies and studies of this founding father—as well as an increase in the number of institutions with Madison in their names (mostly on the political right, where Alexander Hamilton used to prevail). Nevertheless, Stewart illuminates much about the history-making relationships among these celebrated figures that in other books might remain obscured. Readers of history are in good hands with this dependable guide, which approaches its subject with a smooth, easygoing style. Agent: Will Lippincott, Lippincott Massie McQuilkin.

January 1, 2015

The early years of the United States were marked with dysfunction, as the country's founding fathers worked to craft a new nation. A primary architect of the constitutional republic that emerged from that turbulent era was James Madison (1751-1836). Stewart (American Emperor) credits Madison's success in promoting his political ideas to his ability to form strategic partnerships in challenging times with George Washington, Alexander Hamilton, Thomas Jefferson, James Monroe, and Dolley Madison. In making his case for the benefits to Madison of forming partnerships with others for the common good, especially as it pertained to the men, the author somewhat diminishes his subject's extraordinary intellectual gifts. For instance, the success of Madison's Virginia Plan as the model for the Constitution was not dependent on Washington. While Hamilton authored some of the "Federalist Papers," Madison was responsible for the majority and based his arguments on his views of Republicanism. VERDICT This eminently readable work is recommended for lay readers and should be considered alongside Lynne Cheney's James Madison. [See Prepub Alert, 8/22/14.]--John R. Burch, Campbellsville Univ. Lib., KY

Copyright 2015 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.