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The American Presidents #4
James Madison
A bestselling historian examines the life of a Founding Father.
Renowned historian and social commentator Garry Wills takes a fresh look at the life of James Madison, from his rise to prominence in the colonies through his role in the creation of the Articles of Confederation and the first Constitutional Congress.
Madison oversaw the first foreign war under the constitution, and was forced to adjust some expectations he had formed while drafting that document. Not temperamentally suited to be a wartime President, Madison nonetheless confronted issues such as public morale, internal security, relations with Congress, and the independence of the military. Wills traces Madison's later life during which, like many recent Presidents, he enjoyed greater popularity than while in office.
Renowned historian and social commentator Garry Wills takes a fresh look at the life of James Madison, from his rise to prominence in the colonies through his role in the creation of the Articles of Confederation and the first Constitutional Congress.
Madison oversaw the first foreign war under the constitution, and was forced to adjust some expectations he had formed while drafting that document. Not temperamentally suited to be a wartime President, Madison nonetheless confronted issues such as public morale, internal security, relations with Congress, and the independence of the military. Wills traces Madison's later life during which, like many recent Presidents, he enjoyed greater popularity than while in office.
184 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2002
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About the author
Garry Wills
153 books252 followersGarry Wills is an American author, journalist, political philosopher, and historian, specializing in American history, politics, and religion, especially the history of the Catholic Church. He won a Pulitzer Prize for General Non-Fiction in 1993.
Wills has written over fifty books and, since 1973, has been a frequent reviewer for The New York Review of Books. He became a faculty member of the history department at Northwestern University in 1980, where he is an Emeritus Professor of History.
Wills has written over fifty books and, since 1973, has been a frequent reviewer for The New York Review of Books. He became a faculty member of the history department at Northwestern University in 1980, where he is an Emeritus Professor of History.
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June 27, 2019
In James Madison, Garry Wills attempts to answer the question: how could one of our greatest Founding Fathers turn out to be—at best— just a decent, average president? What were the factors, in his character and circumstances, that brought about this result?
Circumstances were certainly against him, for he became president at a time of international conflict and had the war of 1812 almost forced upon him. (On the other hand, he eagerly embraced that war, seeing it as an opportunity to annex Canada. Well, we know how that turned out.) His temperament and manner were big factors too. “He worked best in conventions and congresses,” Wills says, “he was our best committeeman.” But being president necessarily involves executive ability, and the closest Madison ever came to having any was as a twenty-four year old militia colonel. Moreover, he was small in stature, unimpressive in manner, weak in voice—altogether lacking in the superficial qualities that habitually inspire confidence. Perhaps even more damaging were his provincialism (he never traveled outside the United States) and his naivete (almost everything Madison learned, he learned from books). As a result, he was prone to errors of judgment; for example, he exaggerated the importance of England’s domestic influence yet underestimated her powers abroad, giving him too firm a faith in the necessity and usefulness of an embargo.
I’ll let Mr. Wills sum it up for you:
Among this nation’s founders, only two were more important—Washington and Franklin. . . As a framer and defender of the Constitution he had no peer . . . The finest part of Madison’s performance as president was his concern for preserving the Constitution. As a champion of religious liberty he is equal, perhaps superior, to Jefferson—and no one else is in the running. Even if he is to be considered merely as a writer, only Jefferson and Franklin were manifestly greater stylists. No man could do everything for the country—not even Washington. Madison did more than most, and did some things better than any. That is quite enough.Gary Wills is a fine stylist himself, someone who knows how to marshal his facts and present his arguments in an artful and persuasive fashion. As a consequence, in addition to being informative, this book is a pleasure to read.
May 7, 2024
James Madison In The American Presidents Series
James Madison(1751 -- 1836) played a major role in organizing the Constitutional Convention, in drafting the Constitution, and in securing its ratification through writing "The Federalist" (with Hamilton and Jay). After the Constitutional Convention, Madison won a difficult debate with Patrick Henry which led to the narrow ratification of the Constitution in his home state of Virginia. Madison also worked valiantly for the separation of church and state.
Madison served as well as the fourth president (1808 -- 1817); but his accomplishments are less well remembered. Madison's presidency is the focus of this brief book by Garry Wills in the American Presidents series. Wills tries to explain why Madison's presidency was less successful that his brilliant earlier career. Wills points to Madison's provincialism, shyness, lack of executive experience, and tendencies toward idealism rather than practical politics to conclude that Madison's talents and prodigious learning made him better suited for a legislative, behind-the-scenes role than for a position as the nation's chief executive.
After brief consideration of Madison's earlier accomplishments, including his roles under the presidencies of Washington, Adams, and Jefferson (he was Jefferson's Secretary of State), Wills examines Madison's two terms as president. Early in his administration, Madison showed poor judgment about people in selecting his cabinet members, Supreme Court Justices, and military leaders. He also displayed weaknesses of leadership and administration in coordinating the efforts and minimizing the feuding of his subordinates. Even thought he came to see the wisdom of the Bank of the United States, (he had opposed Hamilton on the initial formation of the Bank) Madison foolishly allowed its charter to lapse, when any sort of endorsement on his part would likely have saved the bank in Congress. This mistake haunted Madison throughout his administration.
Most of Wills' study of Madison's presidency is devoted to his conduct during the War of 1812. If Madison's presidency is little-known, the War of 1812 remains our country's most confusing, obscure, and little understood conflict. The War had its roots in the conflict between England and Napoleon as Jefferson tried to steer clear of war. At the end of his presidency, at Madison's urging, Jefferson imposed an embargo with near disastrous results.
Wills traces the complex course of events that led Madison into war. Some of these events were due to misunderstanding and to slowness of communication Britain had repealed the Articles in Council to which the United States had taken offense in declaring war. The ship bringing the repeal to the United States crossed the Atlantic at the same time as the United States ship sailing to England with news that war had been declared. But, Wills argues, Madison was active in bringing on the War, in part because he had grandiose visions of annexing Canada. The result was a conflict for which the United States was ill-prepared. The country had a weak army, only six frigates built during the Washington administration, no generals with military experience, and, with the end of the First Bank of the United States, no money to conduct the war. It was a harrowing conflict for the United States.
The United States and Madison were fortunate to be able to end the War of 1812 without loss of territory. For Wills, Madison led the Nation into an unnecessary war for which it was ill-prepared. But Wills praises Madison for conducting the war without treading upon the constitutional rights of Americans. This was an important and difficult accomplishment which partially redeems Madison's presidency. And the United States came together as a nation following the conflict for the first time in its history.
Wills's book is both more reflective and more detailed than most of the works in the American President's series. Indeed, Wills has written extensively about this period of our history. Readers of this volume may wish to turn to Wills's study "Henry Adams and the Making of America" which examines Henry Adams' monumental history of the Jefferson and Madison administrations. Wills' short study is heavily indebted to Adams's history. Ambitious readers may want to explore Adams's history of this period for themselves. It is available in a two-volume set from the Library of America.
Robin Friedman
James Madison(1751 -- 1836) played a major role in organizing the Constitutional Convention, in drafting the Constitution, and in securing its ratification through writing "The Federalist" (with Hamilton and Jay). After the Constitutional Convention, Madison won a difficult debate with Patrick Henry which led to the narrow ratification of the Constitution in his home state of Virginia. Madison also worked valiantly for the separation of church and state.
Madison served as well as the fourth president (1808 -- 1817); but his accomplishments are less well remembered. Madison's presidency is the focus of this brief book by Garry Wills in the American Presidents series. Wills tries to explain why Madison's presidency was less successful that his brilliant earlier career. Wills points to Madison's provincialism, shyness, lack of executive experience, and tendencies toward idealism rather than practical politics to conclude that Madison's talents and prodigious learning made him better suited for a legislative, behind-the-scenes role than for a position as the nation's chief executive.
After brief consideration of Madison's earlier accomplishments, including his roles under the presidencies of Washington, Adams, and Jefferson (he was Jefferson's Secretary of State), Wills examines Madison's two terms as president. Early in his administration, Madison showed poor judgment about people in selecting his cabinet members, Supreme Court Justices, and military leaders. He also displayed weaknesses of leadership and administration in coordinating the efforts and minimizing the feuding of his subordinates. Even thought he came to see the wisdom of the Bank of the United States, (he had opposed Hamilton on the initial formation of the Bank) Madison foolishly allowed its charter to lapse, when any sort of endorsement on his part would likely have saved the bank in Congress. This mistake haunted Madison throughout his administration.
Most of Wills' study of Madison's presidency is devoted to his conduct during the War of 1812. If Madison's presidency is little-known, the War of 1812 remains our country's most confusing, obscure, and little understood conflict. The War had its roots in the conflict between England and Napoleon as Jefferson tried to steer clear of war. At the end of his presidency, at Madison's urging, Jefferson imposed an embargo with near disastrous results.
Wills traces the complex course of events that led Madison into war. Some of these events were due to misunderstanding and to slowness of communication Britain had repealed the Articles in Council to which the United States had taken offense in declaring war. The ship bringing the repeal to the United States crossed the Atlantic at the same time as the United States ship sailing to England with news that war had been declared. But, Wills argues, Madison was active in bringing on the War, in part because he had grandiose visions of annexing Canada. The result was a conflict for which the United States was ill-prepared. The country had a weak army, only six frigates built during the Washington administration, no generals with military experience, and, with the end of the First Bank of the United States, no money to conduct the war. It was a harrowing conflict for the United States.
The United States and Madison were fortunate to be able to end the War of 1812 without loss of territory. For Wills, Madison led the Nation into an unnecessary war for which it was ill-prepared. But Wills praises Madison for conducting the war without treading upon the constitutional rights of Americans. This was an important and difficult accomplishment which partially redeems Madison's presidency. And the United States came together as a nation following the conflict for the first time in its history.
Wills's book is both more reflective and more detailed than most of the works in the American President's series. Indeed, Wills has written extensively about this period of our history. Readers of this volume may wish to turn to Wills's study "Henry Adams and the Making of America" which examines Henry Adams' monumental history of the Jefferson and Madison administrations. Wills' short study is heavily indebted to Adams's history. Ambitious readers may want to explore Adams's history of this period for themselves. It is available in a two-volume set from the Library of America.
Robin Friedman
May 25, 2014
Book fifteen of my Presidential Challenge. Let me get this out of the way right here: James Madison was a great man. He is known as the "Father of the Constitution" because he wrote a huge chunk of it. He also wrote the Bill of Rights...yeah, that Bill of Rights. If he had never become President he would still go down in history as one of the greatest Americans to have ever lived.
But...here's the deal, he did become President. The fourth President to be exact. And by all outward measures, he was a horrible President. He was constantly being pushed around by various party factions. He needlessly antagonized and went to war with England in "The War of 1812." Under his leadership, the White House was captured and burned to the ground. Yep, that's a tough PR day.
Ultimately, the country rallied around him because screw England, right!? It definitely seems like Madison was the first time the country realized that the Founding Fathers could be fallible and that maybe we should question their decisions.
Honestly, his leadership style reminded me the most of George W. Bush: Just kind of being pushed around by better politicians who cared more than he did. That's why it is hilarious that Lynne Cheney (yes, that Lynne Cheney) just wrote a biography on Madison which I am to understand defends his Presidency. That is so ironic that it makes me giggle uncontrollably.
Oh well, one Founding Father to go. I was right to worry, the 1800's pre-Lincoln have been pretty boring. Next stop...James Garfield!
But...here's the deal, he did become President. The fourth President to be exact. And by all outward measures, he was a horrible President. He was constantly being pushed around by various party factions. He needlessly antagonized and went to war with England in "The War of 1812." Under his leadership, the White House was captured and burned to the ground. Yep, that's a tough PR day.
Ultimately, the country rallied around him because screw England, right!? It definitely seems like Madison was the first time the country realized that the Founding Fathers could be fallible and that maybe we should question their decisions.
Honestly, his leadership style reminded me the most of George W. Bush: Just kind of being pushed around by better politicians who cared more than he did. That's why it is hilarious that Lynne Cheney (yes, that Lynne Cheney) just wrote a biography on Madison which I am to understand defends his Presidency. That is so ironic that it makes me giggle uncontrollably.
Oh well, one Founding Father to go. I was right to worry, the 1800's pre-Lincoln have been pretty boring. Next stop...James Garfield!
January 19, 2019
One of my ongoing projects is to read biographies of all the presidents of the United States of America. This one, of our fourth, is by no means exhaustive. A short work, it focuses on Madison as a political theorist and politician, most particularly as a two-term chief executive who saw, even led, under the exigencies of the moment, the transformation of Jeffersonian republicanism in the direction of federalist nationalism.
Wills is a very good writer, knowledgeable, and because knowledgeable, often 'contrarian' in his views. This material certainly wasn't what I had learned in high school, particularly as regards the War of 1812. There we'd learned about the impressment of 'American' sailors by the British, a causus belli, as a great wrong, not of the actual magnitude of the problem nor of the palliatives that the U.S. government might have enforced (viz. not to allow British nationals to serve on American barks). So, too, we'd learned of the burning of Washington D.C. by British troops and not of the fact that they saw it as retaliation for our prior burning of Troy, the capital of Upper Canada. Finally, and most egregiously, it had not been impressed upon us that the United States had initiated the war with the intention of incorporating the Canadian territory. (In this regard, Wills' writings about the Second Amendment are to be recommended as a counter to the gun lobby--a topic briefly touched upon herein.)
In conclusion, it should be noted that this is a critical evaluation of James Madison, seen by Wills as an able legislator and poor executive, an argument running thematically throughout the text.
Wills is a very good writer, knowledgeable, and because knowledgeable, often 'contrarian' in his views. This material certainly wasn't what I had learned in high school, particularly as regards the War of 1812. There we'd learned about the impressment of 'American' sailors by the British, a causus belli, as a great wrong, not of the actual magnitude of the problem nor of the palliatives that the U.S. government might have enforced (viz. not to allow British nationals to serve on American barks). So, too, we'd learned of the burning of Washington D.C. by British troops and not of the fact that they saw it as retaliation for our prior burning of Troy, the capital of Upper Canada. Finally, and most egregiously, it had not been impressed upon us that the United States had initiated the war with the intention of incorporating the Canadian territory. (In this regard, Wills' writings about the Second Amendment are to be recommended as a counter to the gun lobby--a topic briefly touched upon herein.)
In conclusion, it should be noted that this is a critical evaluation of James Madison, seen by Wills as an able legislator and poor executive, an argument running thematically throughout the text.
February 15, 2022
This was really slow doing; very academic. Not the best in this series.
Madison comes out of this book as enigmatic, secretive, and not very easy to know. There was little to no personal detail (for example, what kind of enslaver was he?). His wife was influential in his political life (see Carl Sferrazza Anthony) but here she's essentially gloss (and a light gloss at that).
The War of 1812, over which Madison presides, has always been an enigma to me In fact, the Great and Powerful Wikipedia starts a entry titled The Origins of the War of 1812 with this (poorly written) sentence: "The origins of the War of 1812;(1812-1815), between the United States and the British Empire and its First Nation allies, have been long debated." This implies that no one (at least Wikipedia) knows how the damn war started. Madison probably knows, but I wasn't really able to discern that from this book. Madison is a famous founding father, but that was for his writing and revolutionary zeal; his presidency sounds like it was mostly a failure. The war certainly sounds like a bust: "The nation had struggled for two years and eight months to get back to where it started in the first place. Not a single one of its announced war goals had been reached." Perhaps writing about revolution, government and war is easier than actually having to do it. It also sounds like the United States came out of the War of 1812 smelling like a rose; the English in charge of the peace treaty were vilified once they got back home for their shoddy treaty-making; the Native Americans were the ones who got the short, brutal end of this stick (another thing Wills ignores; it's a short book, but not THAT short).
Wills wrote: "The part of the Constitution that Madison was least likely to infringe was his favorite one, the separation of church and state. He exercised his veto three times to prevent state help to church buildings or supplies." That made me laugh and I thought that the Christian Right who go ON about how America was founded as a Christian nation, the Founding Fathers were Christians, blah blah blah know nothing about Madison (and American History).
Madison comes out of this book as enigmatic, secretive, and not very easy to know. There was little to no personal detail (for example, what kind of enslaver was he?). His wife was influential in his political life (see Carl Sferrazza Anthony) but here she's essentially gloss (and a light gloss at that).
The War of 1812, over which Madison presides, has always been an enigma to me In fact, the Great and Powerful Wikipedia starts a entry titled The Origins of the War of 1812 with this (poorly written) sentence: "The origins of the War of 1812;(1812-1815), between the United States and the British Empire and its First Nation allies, have been long debated." This implies that no one (at least Wikipedia) knows how the damn war started. Madison probably knows, but I wasn't really able to discern that from this book. Madison is a famous founding father, but that was for his writing and revolutionary zeal; his presidency sounds like it was mostly a failure. The war certainly sounds like a bust: "The nation had struggled for two years and eight months to get back to where it started in the first place. Not a single one of its announced war goals had been reached." Perhaps writing about revolution, government and war is easier than actually having to do it. It also sounds like the United States came out of the War of 1812 smelling like a rose; the English in charge of the peace treaty were vilified once they got back home for their shoddy treaty-making; the Native Americans were the ones who got the short, brutal end of this stick (another thing Wills ignores; it's a short book, but not THAT short).
Wills wrote: "The part of the Constitution that Madison was least likely to infringe was his favorite one, the separation of church and state. He exercised his veto three times to prevent state help to church buildings or supplies." That made me laugh and I thought that the Christian Right who go ON about how America was founded as a Christian nation, the Founding Fathers were Christians, blah blah blah know nothing about Madison (and American History).
February 4, 2021
The central thesis of Willis’s biography explores how James Madison was one of the most influential founding fathers, but considered a mediocre president. Willis does a great job conveying a lot of information efficiently in this biography. While I understand that the purpose of The American Presidents series is to provide a short, concise account of the subject’s presidency, I would have liked more information about Madison’s pre-presidency. That being said, I am very impressed by how much Willis was able to cover about Madison’s time as president in just a few hundred pages.
The little time spent on Madison’s pre-presidency is succinct and impactful. The reader gets a good idea of Madison’s participation in the Revolutionary War. The biography also explores his role in helping to draft the constitution. It ends his pre-presidency years by exploring his various roles in during the first three presidents administrations.
This book really shines while exploring Madison’s two terms as presidents. Much of Madison’s presidency was dominated by the War of 1812 and Willis’s biography reflects this fact. I was continually surprised by how detailed and thorough the biography was on reviewing the war. There was plenty of time spent exploring motives, events, and consequences of the war. The biography ends with a very abrupt summary of Madison’s post-presidency.
Throughout the entire biography, Willis returns to two central themes. Madison was a huge advocate of the separation of church and state and Madison supported the constitution as written. This theme is explored from is pre-presidency through his two terms and even touched on in the summary of his post presidency.
While this biography could have benefited if it would have explored more of Madison’s life outside of the presidency, it did an excellent job of achieving its objective as a part of The American Presidents series. I would recommend this as a very good entry point or a quick refresher to anyone interested in early US history, especially the War of 1812.
The little time spent on Madison’s pre-presidency is succinct and impactful. The reader gets a good idea of Madison’s participation in the Revolutionary War. The biography also explores his role in helping to draft the constitution. It ends his pre-presidency years by exploring his various roles in during the first three presidents administrations.
This book really shines while exploring Madison’s two terms as presidents. Much of Madison’s presidency was dominated by the War of 1812 and Willis’s biography reflects this fact. I was continually surprised by how detailed and thorough the biography was on reviewing the war. There was plenty of time spent exploring motives, events, and consequences of the war. The biography ends with a very abrupt summary of Madison’s post-presidency.
Throughout the entire biography, Willis returns to two central themes. Madison was a huge advocate of the separation of church and state and Madison supported the constitution as written. This theme is explored from is pre-presidency through his two terms and even touched on in the summary of his post presidency.
While this biography could have benefited if it would have explored more of Madison’s life outside of the presidency, it did an excellent job of achieving its objective as a part of The American Presidents series. I would recommend this as a very good entry point or a quick refresher to anyone interested in early US history, especially the War of 1812.
November 13, 2017
I read this after I read Lynn Cheney's biography of Madison. Wills analyzed Madison's presidency, the good and the bad. He examined several issues that Cheney glossed over, such as Washington not speaking to Madison again after the Jay Treaty controversy. He felt Madison was duplictious. But Wills sees the good too and confirmed by firm belief that everything his good and bad, hopefully most of us are more good than bad. I loved how he summed up Madsion's life at the end of the book: “a life spent trying to accommodate principle to political reality… Madison’s claim on our admiration does not rest on a perfect consistency any more than it rests on his presidency. He has other virtues…Among this nation’s founders, only two were more important, Washington and Franklin. As a framer and defender of the Constitution, he had no peer. The finest part of his performance as President was his concern for preserving the Constitution. As a champion of religious liberty, he is equal, perhaps superior to Jefferson, and no one else is in the running. Even if he is considered merely as a writer, only Jefferson and Franklin were manifestly greater stylists. No man could do everything for the country. Not even Washington. Madison did more than most. And did some things better than any. That is quite enough.”
I think this applies to all politicians, maybe to all of us in our own little spheres. None of us can do everything. Our hope is we do more than most in some areas—and some things better than any—and that is quite enough.
I think this applies to all politicians, maybe to all of us in our own little spheres. None of us can do everything. Our hope is we do more than most in some areas—and some things better than any—and that is quite enough.
June 13, 2021
The book in the president series focuses more on mistakes Madison made while serving as president. The basis of the book, from the author's own words, is to understand how a man could have such a brilliant career during the Revolution and during the early Constitution days, but then falter as president. That's fine, and I learned alot, but I do prefer when these books are more balanced of positive and negative examples.
May 25, 2019
James Madison was a man of firm principles. His first principle was flexibility.
November 8, 2018
James Madison is the fourth book in The American Presidents series – a biographical series chronicling the Presidents of the United States. Garry Wills wrote this particular installment and edited by Arthur M. Schlesinger, Jr.
James Madison Jr. was an American statesman and Founding Father who served as the fourth President of the United States from 1809 to 1817. He is hailed as the "Father of the Constitution" for his pivotal role in drafting and promoting the United States Constitution and the Bill of Rights.
It is rather difficult to write a compelling biography of James Madison. Although he is a great politician, he was also a provincial, cerebral and slightly dull man as well as his legislative accomplishments that could really commit an insomniac to sleep. However, Wills does a rather good job in this brief volume.
Wills describes James Madison as "an unimpressive little man with libraries in his brain," the "Father of the Constitution", and the nation's fourth president. However, during an extraordinary four-decade public career, James Madison also guided George Washington and Thomas Jefferson in their presidencies, steered the pioneering Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom through that state’s legislature in 1786, the Bill of Rights through Congress, and helped Thomas Jefferson found the Democratic Party.
However, for all James Madison's greatness, Wills nevertheless and justifiably paints him as naïve, inconsistent, occasionally dishonest, prone to sniff conspiracy in any opposition, and, like so many Southerners of the time, deaf to and finally paralyzed by slavery. Moreover, although he was a first-class committee person, he lacked executive talent. His presidency was a near disaster and he narrowly averted defeat in the War of 1812.
James Madison was written and researched extremely well. It showed a wonderful insight to the man who became the fourth President of the United States of America. Like his predecessors, he is a man filled with contradictions, but loved the country and believed in her. It is a somewhat cursory biography, covering the major incidences of his presidency, and it may have been targeted to a younger audience.
All in all, James Madison is a wonderfully written biography of the fourth president and rather good continuation to what would hopefully be a wonderful series of presidential biographies, which I plan to read in the very near future.
James Madison Jr. was an American statesman and Founding Father who served as the fourth President of the United States from 1809 to 1817. He is hailed as the "Father of the Constitution" for his pivotal role in drafting and promoting the United States Constitution and the Bill of Rights.
It is rather difficult to write a compelling biography of James Madison. Although he is a great politician, he was also a provincial, cerebral and slightly dull man as well as his legislative accomplishments that could really commit an insomniac to sleep. However, Wills does a rather good job in this brief volume.
Wills describes James Madison as "an unimpressive little man with libraries in his brain," the "Father of the Constitution", and the nation's fourth president. However, during an extraordinary four-decade public career, James Madison also guided George Washington and Thomas Jefferson in their presidencies, steered the pioneering Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom through that state’s legislature in 1786, the Bill of Rights through Congress, and helped Thomas Jefferson found the Democratic Party.
However, for all James Madison's greatness, Wills nevertheless and justifiably paints him as naïve, inconsistent, occasionally dishonest, prone to sniff conspiracy in any opposition, and, like so many Southerners of the time, deaf to and finally paralyzed by slavery. Moreover, although he was a first-class committee person, he lacked executive talent. His presidency was a near disaster and he narrowly averted defeat in the War of 1812.
James Madison was written and researched extremely well. It showed a wonderful insight to the man who became the fourth President of the United States of America. Like his predecessors, he is a man filled with contradictions, but loved the country and believed in her. It is a somewhat cursory biography, covering the major incidences of his presidency, and it may have been targeted to a younger audience.
All in all, James Madison is a wonderfully written biography of the fourth president and rather good continuation to what would hopefully be a wonderful series of presidential biographies, which I plan to read in the very near future.
February 1, 2018
This is not a biography. It's a volume in a series of short books about aspects of US presidents. However, I proceeded on the assumption that Garry Wills is worth reading on just about any subject, and I wasn't wrong. His starting point is the "problem" of Madison - how did someone so brilliant at formulating and promoting our constitution become such a lackluster or even weak president? His answer is that the problem is more a creation of later historians than a reality. To provide this answer, he shows how characteristics of Madison's whole career and personality combined to create the less than stellar presidency and reasonably disastrous war of 1812. Therefore, for good bit of the book it can feel like a hatchet job. However, in the end it results in a more balanced assessment of Madison than genius-turned-idiot. In his conclusion he says: "Madison's claim on our admiration does not rest on a perfect consistency, any more than it rests on his presidency. He has other virtues, which I want to emphasize once more in this conclusion. In discussing his presidency, I had to leave out larger achievements. Among this nation's founders, only two were more important - Washington and Franklin ... The finest part of Madison's performance as president was his concern for preserving the Constitution. As a champion of religious liberty he is equal, perhaps superior, to Jefferson - and no one else is in the running. Even if he is to be considered merely as a writer, only Jefferson and Franklin were manifestly greater stylists. No man could do everything for the country - not even Washington. Madison did more than most, and did some things better than any. That is quite enough." One of the things he did better than any is to manage to "violate the civil rights of a citizenry at war. His record on this is much better than that of Abraham Lincoln or Woodrow Wilson or Franklin Roosevelt. ... during the war itself, as if to prove that the Constitution did not have to be jettisoned in a crisis, he was truer to its strictures than any subsequent war president. War is a constant temptation to demagogy, and he never succumbed to it." I can't think of too many compliments as high. Know something about Madison before reading this little book, and it will repay attention.
July 13, 2010
This short biography of James Madison focuses on his time as president of the United States – imagine a biography of Miguel de Cervantes focusing on his time as a soldier in a Spanish Navy infantry regiment.
James Madison was a great theorist, extraordinary writer, cunning politician and an effective legislator – but as president he was simply “good”. Madison was never counted as one of the great presidents and author Garry Wills acknowledges as such in the opening of the book. As a matter of a complete biography this approach, in my mind, is the opposite of what it should be. Wills points this out and follows with a clear, clean and interesting biography focusing on Madison’s administration.
The book is divided into five parts:
- Introduction
- Pre-Presidential Years(1751 -1809)
- The Presidency: First Term (1809-1813)
- The Presidency: Second Term (1813-1817)
- Epilogue: The Legacy
Wills hits the highlights and lowlights of Madison’s time in office. The author lauds the president for trying extremely hard, and succeeding, in not to abusing the Constitution during the War of 1812 (something which could not be said for his successors such as Lincoln, Franklin Roosevelt and others) but balances those with such behavior as Madison’s quixotic paranoia about such people as Alexander Hamilton.
James Madison, even though short, is written in an academic style. Information is being sent at the reader fast as if you were reading a textbook – just data without the spicy anecdotes which make a biography worth reading. I still don’t feel I know Madison’s personality or what, if anything, did the lively Dolly Madison saw in him (besides some rich guy from Virginia). I’d rather read the long, more paced biographies that give me a complete picture of the person.
See more reviews at: http://manoflabook.blogspot.com/
James Madison was a great theorist, extraordinary writer, cunning politician and an effective legislator – but as president he was simply “good”. Madison was never counted as one of the great presidents and author Garry Wills acknowledges as such in the opening of the book. As a matter of a complete biography this approach, in my mind, is the opposite of what it should be. Wills points this out and follows with a clear, clean and interesting biography focusing on Madison’s administration.
The book is divided into five parts:
- Introduction
- Pre-Presidential Years(1751 -1809)
- The Presidency: First Term (1809-1813)
- The Presidency: Second Term (1813-1817)
- Epilogue: The Legacy
Wills hits the highlights and lowlights of Madison’s time in office. The author lauds the president for trying extremely hard, and succeeding, in not to abusing the Constitution during the War of 1812 (something which could not be said for his successors such as Lincoln, Franklin Roosevelt and others) but balances those with such behavior as Madison’s quixotic paranoia about such people as Alexander Hamilton.
James Madison, even though short, is written in an academic style. Information is being sent at the reader fast as if you were reading a textbook – just data without the spicy anecdotes which make a biography worth reading. I still don’t feel I know Madison’s personality or what, if anything, did the lively Dolly Madison saw in him (besides some rich guy from Virginia). I’d rather read the long, more paced biographies that give me a complete picture of the person.
See more reviews at: http://manoflabook.blogspot.com/
November 27, 2015
I was quite excited to see this book by Garry Wills in the American Presidents Series, because I am working my way through this series and have had my eye on other books by Garry Wills. Win/win, right? I was shocked at how little I enjoyed this book by a well-known prolific and eclectic author with a massive reputation. It seemed like either Wills was writing with a gun to his head, or that he had originally written a 700 page book and the editors told him to whittle it down to 160. Sure, the writing was good enough, but it seemed to be more about the War of 1812 than Madison. I guess some people would find all the details about the various Generals and other military figures, the number of ships and militiamen, and the number of guns on various boats fascinating, but I was led to believe that this was a book about the president? And what was with all the long quotes in a 160 page book?
June 3, 2017
A not very favorable review of Madison as president
Want to read
November 13, 2016A bestselling historian examines the life of a Founding Father. Renowned historian and social commentator Garry Wills takes a fresh look at the life of James Madison, from his rise to prominence in the colonies through his role in the creation of the Articles of Confederation and the first Constitutional Congress. Madison oversaw the first foreign war under the constitution, and was forced to adjust some expectations he had formed while drafting that document. Not temperamentally suited to be a wartime President, Madison nonetheless confronted issues such as public morale, internal security, relations with Congress, and the independence of the military. Wills traces Madison's later life during which, like many recent Presidents, he enjoyed greater popularity than while in office. Garry Wills is a Pulitzer Prize-winning historian and cultural critic, and a professor of history at Northwestern University. A recipient of the National Book Award, his many books include 'Lincoln at Gettysburg,' 'Reagan's America,' 'Witches and Jesuits,' and a biography of Saint Augustine. He lives in Evanston, Illinois. Series editor Arthur M. Schlesinger, Jr. is arguably the preeminent political historian of our time. For more than half a century, he has been a cornerstone figure in the intellectual life of the nation and a fixture on the political scene. He served as special assistant to John F. Kennedy; won two Pulitzer Prizes for 'The Age of Jackson' (1946) and 'A Thousand Days' (1966); and in 1998 received the National Humanities Medal. He published the first volume of his autobiography, 'A Life in the Twentieth Century,' in 2000. A 'New York Times 'Notable Book The eternal conundrum about James Madison--a key framer of the U.S. Constitution, a formidable political figure, and a man of penetrating analytical intellect and tremendous foresight--is why, when he became chief executive, did he steer the ship of state with such an unsteady hand? Why was this man, whose pre- and post-presidential careers contributed so significantly to the future course of American political history, so lackluster and ineffectual in his tenure as president? 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 judgement 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 close 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. 'Provocative . . . Wills's stimulating biography offers us a compelling reason to reconsider the presidency of James Madison.'--James F. Simon, 'The New York Times Book Review' 'Madison's presidency is the most neglected part of his brilliant career, since he was a great constitutionalist but not a great president. Yet it was a presidency interesting in itself, for the waging of the first war under the Constitution, and the problem of putting together the genius of political science and the feckless commander in chief is endlessly fascinating.'--Garry Wills on James Madison '[Madison] had already composed a brilliant defense of religious liberty, played a pivotal role at the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia in 1787 and made an indispensable contribution to a series of essays ('The Federalist') that served as foundational documents on the United States' constitutional democracy. But it is Madison as the nation's fourth president (1809-17) that is the subject of Garry Wills's short, finely written biography, and his achievements as chief executive are comparatively meager. 'How a man could be so shining in certain aspects of his life and so shadowed in another is not a question often asked, ' writes Wills. He not only poses the question but makes his answer the provocative focus of his book . . . Wills's stimulating biography offers us a compelling reason to reconsider the presidency of James Madison.'--James F. Simon, 'The New York Times Book Review' 'Short and provocative . . . [Wills] presents an evaluation of Madison's successes and failures, finding both . . . And what is it that allowed Madison to be so great a constitutionalist and so poor a President? Wills argues that it was provincialism and naivete: What Madison had learned from the great minds by reading books allowed him to understand political theory better, perhaps, than anyone else. But without greater worldly experience, even Madison could not operate the levers of power that he himself designed. Yet as Wills aptly concludes, 'Madison did more than most, and did some things better than any. That is quite enough.''--Carl T. Bogus, 'The Nation' 'Wills's book is the first volume to appear in the new American Presidents series edited by Arthur Schlesinger, Jr. Wills is amazing. He works fast and has the most remarkable range of any writer I know of working in America today . . . He has the admirable ability to read rapidly through masses of material, as he did in preparing this book, and to extract crucial n0 facts from this material and then give those facts his own provocative spin . . . Wills certainly has something interesting to say about Madison's presidency.'--Gordon S. Wood, 'The New York Review of Books' 'Historian Garry Wills takes on the seeming paradox of this 'genius of political science and feckless commander in chief' in his concise but solid 'James Madison' . . . Wills's books almost always provide a bracingly fresh and clear understanding of the foundations of the American nation and system . . . His new volume throws a similarly clear light on the nature of democratic leadership . . . Wills's crisp analysis of Madison offers thoughtful answers that can illuminate current events as much as they do past history.'--Ben Sargent, 'Austin American Statesman' 'This relatively brief essay on Madison poses one central question, well worth asking. It is this: Why Madison's greatness as a political thinker--perhaps our greatest--whose moderation often, but not always kept Jefferson on the reservation and the early Union intact was not reflected in his presidency which is often judged to be a failure? That it was a failure is something Mr. Wills will convince any reader. But the reason is more complex and the author is good at laying out that failure.'--Roger Fontaine, 'The Washington Times ' 'Wills is especially adept at laying open Madison, showing his strengths and shortcomings, then showing how those traits provided the framework for the presidency to help this country emerge from the war more united and more prepared to take a place on the world stage . . . Insightful.'--'The Roanoke Times ' 'Wills's analysis of the Constitutional Convention and the War if 1812 is particularly fresh and incisive.'--'Booklist' (starred review) '[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' 'Written with flair, this clear and balanced account is based on a sure handling of the material. It should appeal to general readers as well as specialists. Highly recommended.'--T.J. Schaeper, St. Bonaventure University, 'Library Journal' 'It's tough to write a compelling biography of Madison: though a great politician, he was also a provincial, cerebral and slightly dull man; any account of his life must contain the kinds of dry legislation--the Non-Intercourse Act, Macon's Bill Number 2, for example--that have driven generations of history students to distractions. But Pulitzer Prize-winning historian Wills does as good a job as possible in this brief volume . . . Wills is well acquainted with his subject and balanced in his assessments. Madison, 'this unimpressive little man with libraries in his brain, ' was the 'Father of the Constitution' and the nation's fourth president. But during an extraordinary four-decade public career, Madison also guided Washington and Jefferson in their presidencies; steered the pioneering Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom through that state's legislature in 1786 and the Bill of Rights through Congress, and helped Jefferson found the Democratic Party. But for all Madison's greatness, Wills nevertheless (and justifiably) judges him naive, inconsistent, occasionally dishonest, prone to stiff conspiracy in any opposition, and, like so many Southerners of the time, deaf and finally paralyzed by slavery. To Madison's credit, unlike other wartime presidents, he didn't stretch the Constitution or invade civil liberties . . . Madison had 'the strength of his weaknesses, ' concludes Wills in this fine, short biography of one of the nation's greatest public servants.'--'Publishers Weekly'
December 5, 2024
This chronology of James Madison was a very detailed in presentation of the fourth U.S. president's time in office. However, it didn't give me what I look for in a presidential biography which is more about the individual and his (and to date, it is always HIS) other than presidential life.
And, as war occupied much of Madison's tenure, I skipped through some of the book.
The author portrays Madison as somewhat inexperienced and yet, headstrong on certain issues. He posits that Madison hit his stride in the years following the revolution, that he was a great founder, even a good legislator, but not a very good president. This is blamed on circumstances, temperament, and errors (of judgment).
While this was not the biography that I wanted, I was also not willing to commit to one of the lengthier, and probably more complete biographies. Perhaps I may pick up one of those in the future, or at least a book about Dolley.
But something that I realize as a I read more of this type of book is how much of history repeats. Is this just human nature, or a lack of education?
"Presidents serve us as inspirations, and they also serve us as warnings. They provide bad examples as well as good. The nation, the Supreme Court has said, has 'no right to expect that it will always have wise and humane rulers, sincerely attached to the principles of the Constitution. Wicked men, ambitious of power, with hatred of liberty and contempt of law, may fill the place once occupied by Washington and Lincoln.'" (xvi) (Editor's Note, Arthur M. Schlesinger, Jr.)
In the election of 1812, "Madison eventually won the electoral count 128 to 89; but it took a month of close counting to establish his win in Pennsylvania. If he had lost its twenty-five votes, {Dewitt] Clinton would have beat him." (116)
Apparently it was Madison who enshrined in the Constitution, counting slaves in the population at a three-fifths rate, the "federal number". The author states that by 1829, "the dilemma of slavery undid him." (162)
And, as war occupied much of Madison's tenure, I skipped through some of the book.
The author portrays Madison as somewhat inexperienced and yet, headstrong on certain issues. He posits that Madison hit his stride in the years following the revolution, that he was a great founder, even a good legislator, but not a very good president. This is blamed on circumstances, temperament, and errors (of judgment).
While this was not the biography that I wanted, I was also not willing to commit to one of the lengthier, and probably more complete biographies. Perhaps I may pick up one of those in the future, or at least a book about Dolley.
But something that I realize as a I read more of this type of book is how much of history repeats. Is this just human nature, or a lack of education?
"Presidents serve us as inspirations, and they also serve us as warnings. They provide bad examples as well as good. The nation, the Supreme Court has said, has 'no right to expect that it will always have wise and humane rulers, sincerely attached to the principles of the Constitution. Wicked men, ambitious of power, with hatred of liberty and contempt of law, may fill the place once occupied by Washington and Lincoln.'" (xvi) (Editor's Note, Arthur M. Schlesinger, Jr.)
In the election of 1812, "Madison eventually won the electoral count 128 to 89; but it took a month of close counting to establish his win in Pennsylvania. If he had lost its twenty-five votes, {Dewitt] Clinton would have beat him." (116)
Apparently it was Madison who enshrined in the Constitution, counting slaves in the population at a three-fifths rate, the "federal number". The author states that by 1829, "the dilemma of slavery undid him." (162)
August 10, 2020
As I continue to travel chronologically through history book by book, I have now come to 1808-1816. James Madison is president as the second war between America and England takes place.
I found this book quite good but I gave it three stars for one specific purpose.
Upon completing this book, I have now complete three books on Madison with the other two being: James Madison: A Life Reconsidered by Lynne Cheney; and James Madison by Richard Brookhiser.
For some reason I have found that each writer feels that it is necessary to throw around words that not only are rarely used but used in a way that is either supposed to alienate the reader (in having to reached for a dictionary numerous times to understand a simple sentence because the reader is simply not intelligent enough to appreciate the magnitude of how Madison thinks) or inform the reader that when writing/reading about Madison, the reader must be on the same intellectual pursuit of the importance of every decision that was ever made involving the constitution including what the President and the Congress can and cannot do in a give moment.
For example...the writer used the word "concatenation" as opposed to the words "combination of things". This was one of many time the writer threw words out like that. The Brookhiser author did the same thing. Cheney's book seemed to just write very deep thoughts that would drown out the purpose of thought to begin with.
I completely understand that the Constitution is very important document that featured very lengthy argument by numerous men (including Madison, Hamilton, and Jay via The Federalist Papers) that dealt with trying to dot every i and cross every t to make sure that everything was covered completely and in a manner that would leave no questions as to its intent.
However this doesn't mean that this can't be written "in a nutshell" format that simplifies things.
I found this book quite good but I gave it three stars for one specific purpose.
Upon completing this book, I have now complete three books on Madison with the other two being: James Madison: A Life Reconsidered by Lynne Cheney; and James Madison by Richard Brookhiser.
For some reason I have found that each writer feels that it is necessary to throw around words that not only are rarely used but used in a way that is either supposed to alienate the reader (in having to reached for a dictionary numerous times to understand a simple sentence because the reader is simply not intelligent enough to appreciate the magnitude of how Madison thinks) or inform the reader that when writing/reading about Madison, the reader must be on the same intellectual pursuit of the importance of every decision that was ever made involving the constitution including what the President and the Congress can and cannot do in a give moment.
For example...the writer used the word "concatenation" as opposed to the words "combination of things". This was one of many time the writer threw words out like that. The Brookhiser author did the same thing. Cheney's book seemed to just write very deep thoughts that would drown out the purpose of thought to begin with.
I completely understand that the Constitution is very important document that featured very lengthy argument by numerous men (including Madison, Hamilton, and Jay via The Federalist Papers) that dealt with trying to dot every i and cross every t to make sure that everything was covered completely and in a manner that would leave no questions as to its intent.
However this doesn't mean that this can't be written "in a nutshell" format that simplifies things.
March 14, 2018
By this point, I'm totally sold on the American Presidents series. If you want to read a scholarly book on Presidents, but don't have time to go the traditional route, these are great focused titles, usually highlighting a particular theme of the President's term in office and mentioning how that played out in other parts of their life.
In this case, Wills focuses on the flaws of Madison's character that led to the major failures of his Presidency, especially how they were easily dismissed at other points in his career because they were often assets in his earlier legislative work.
This did not help my opinion that Madison and Jefferson are the Revolutionary Era's epitome of privileged white dudes who are completely clueless to their privilege and hypocrisy.
On the other hand, Wills does a good job in the concluding chapters and epilogue of pointing out Madison's successes as a President. Yes, he got into the War of 1812 under faulty reasoning, but in the darkest hours of the war, he kept his head, and thus the country. Similarly, his other seemingly hypocritical stances, ultimately allowed his greatest contribution to this country, the Constitution, stand the test of time.
Wills's assertion then is that while Madison was not a great President, he's an okay one and behind only Washington and Franklin as one of the most important Founding Fathers.
In this case, Wills focuses on the flaws of Madison's character that led to the major failures of his Presidency, especially how they were easily dismissed at other points in his career because they were often assets in his earlier legislative work.
This did not help my opinion that Madison and Jefferson are the Revolutionary Era's epitome of privileged white dudes who are completely clueless to their privilege and hypocrisy.
On the other hand, Wills does a good job in the concluding chapters and epilogue of pointing out Madison's successes as a President. Yes, he got into the War of 1812 under faulty reasoning, but in the darkest hours of the war, he kept his head, and thus the country. Similarly, his other seemingly hypocritical stances, ultimately allowed his greatest contribution to this country, the Constitution, stand the test of time.
Wills's assertion then is that while Madison was not a great President, he's an okay one and behind only Washington and Franklin as one of the most important Founding Fathers.
April 15, 2022
I liked this book quite a lot and developed respect for the work of Garry Wills. I will look for more of it. This is a concise yet insightful critique of Madison's career, leading me from one Hmm, I didn't know that episode to another, not only about Madison, but about that chapter of American history.
In short, says Wills, Madison scripted great contributions for the new nation (the Constitution, several Federalist Papers) but wasn't particularly effective as a President.
I was surprised to learn of Madison's obsession with imposing economic sanctions on Britain again and again in a failed attempt to get the Brits to behave---a precursor to 21st century economic sanctions, perhaps---and helping to trigger the War of 1812, as well as his paying instigators to go undercover to Cuba and Florida to whip up anti-Spain sentiment and thus draw them into the United States.
As Mark Twain (or somebody) quipped, "History might not repeat itself, but it sure does rhyme," or words to that effect.
In short, says Wills, Madison scripted great contributions for the new nation (the Constitution, several Federalist Papers) but wasn't particularly effective as a President.
I was surprised to learn of Madison's obsession with imposing economic sanctions on Britain again and again in a failed attempt to get the Brits to behave---a precursor to 21st century economic sanctions, perhaps---and helping to trigger the War of 1812, as well as his paying instigators to go undercover to Cuba and Florida to whip up anti-Spain sentiment and thus draw them into the United States.
As Mark Twain (or somebody) quipped, "History might not repeat itself, but it sure does rhyme," or words to that effect.
October 17, 2024
James Madison by Garry Wills
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The story of our 4th President of the United States, James Madison. Well known as the most important framer of our constitution and the author of the federalist papers. As President, Madison was able to put his experimental form of government into action. He was able to put the constitution to its ultimate test during the war of 1812 against England and came out of that war being awarded a second term as President by the American public. Seen by many as the third most important American founder, just behind George Washington and Ben Franklin. Living till the age of 85 , Mr. Madison was able to fully see his ideal republic become a world power and is better remembered as a master legislator and political genius who helped form our constitutional republic, and was rated as an average chief executive (President) amongst historians. Whilst being only 5’4” and about a hundred pounds, the diminutive Madison will always be remembered for his massive contributions to our country’s founding days. 🇺🇸
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#jamesmadison #usa #usa🇺🇸 #president #whitehouse #warof1812
#history #read #bookstagram #book #bookreview #reading #readersofinstagram
.
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The story of our 4th President of the United States, James Madison. Well known as the most important framer of our constitution and the author of the federalist papers. As President, Madison was able to put his experimental form of government into action. He was able to put the constitution to its ultimate test during the war of 1812 against England and came out of that war being awarded a second term as President by the American public. Seen by many as the third most important American founder, just behind George Washington and Ben Franklin. Living till the age of 85 , Mr. Madison was able to fully see his ideal republic become a world power and is better remembered as a master legislator and political genius who helped form our constitutional republic, and was rated as an average chief executive (President) amongst historians. Whilst being only 5’4” and about a hundred pounds, the diminutive Madison will always be remembered for his massive contributions to our country’s founding days. 🇺🇸
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.
#jamesmadison #usa #usa🇺🇸 #president #whitehouse #warof1812
#history #read #bookstagram #book #bookreview #reading #readersofinstagram
November 8, 2025
This introductory volume of James Madison is my first book on America’s fourth president. In this it does a more than adequate job. The author, Gary Wills, touches on all so much of Madison’s life I doubt he overlooked anything. And he does so in a way I found wry easy to read.
But I did have issues. Foremost is the focus on James Madison the president. This is a series on the American Presidents the author focuses on those aspects of Madison’s life that reflect on his presidency. I feel this is a little unfair to Mr. Madison. It tends to downplay or minimize Madison’s earlier accomplishments.
As a result, James Madison comes off as somewhat of a failure. And that is certainly not the case. His genius was in consensus building at the various constitutional conventions he attended, including the Constitutional Convention. And in writing said constitutions. This should definitely have been covered in more detail.
But I did have issues. Foremost is the focus on James Madison the president. This is a series on the American Presidents the author focuses on those aspects of Madison’s life that reflect on his presidency. I feel this is a little unfair to Mr. Madison. It tends to downplay or minimize Madison’s earlier accomplishments.
As a result, James Madison comes off as somewhat of a failure. And that is certainly not the case. His genius was in consensus building at the various constitutional conventions he attended, including the Constitutional Convention. And in writing said constitutions. This should definitely have been covered in more detail.
April 30, 2019
Ran across a citation of this as a good bio somewhere and then found it in a local used bookstore. I was a little concerned by its short length (164 pp of text) and then by Wills' cursory scanning of Madison's early years. I was prepared for a straight historical narrative of a life, mostly factual with some psychologizing perhaps, characteristic of the 600-800 page modern biographies I prefer, but once I recognized this as an analytical and evaluative approach, a critique of Madison's political life--strengths, successes, pragmatic compromises, weaknesses, inconsistencies, contradictions, indecisiveness, failures of assertiveness and all--I could readily appreciate the excellence of Wills' assessment and the quality of his writing. Shelve it in the top row of presidential biographies I've encountered and the only one I've cared to review.
November 21, 2024
This book, by Garry Wills, focuses mostly on his political career. He was a member of the Continental Congress in 1779. He is also considered the father of the Constitution and the Bill of Rights. He was also, along with Alexander Hamilton and John Jay, the author of the Federalist Papers. I huge defender of the Constitution. Part of the Virginia dynasty, he was the third Virginian to be elected to the highest office in the land. He was not a strong President. He was easily swayed and made some bad decisions and picked wrong folks for leadership positions. If he had listened, Washington would not have burned in the War of 1812. However, he was probably the only sitting President to have fought in a war. He actually fought in the War of 1812. I brilliant thinker and true Founding Father. This a great introductory book to a complicated man. Highly recommend.
September 5, 2019
Interesting book from the American Presidency series that basically asks the question of why such an accomplished man made such a mediocre President. Kind of fascinating in that way-- because why do we presume that just because someone is a great legislator or writer than he'd be a great anything else? This question has endured long after Madison. Why are we particularly surprised when a great football player is a wife beater or a brilliant song writer is a philanderer? If anything, being great at one thing should almost guarantee some corresponding failure in some other arena. Anyway, while the writing is academic, as with the rest of the series, it's pretty quick and to the point. Worth reading if you enjoy the series.
June 12, 2024
James Madison was one of the founding fathers instrumental in developing the constitutional thought and language and decades later he became the 4th president. This book starts out with lots of dry coverage about constitutional thought.
Though interested in the constitution I am no expert and did not find this deep dive very interesting. Most of this book is scholarly and dry. I was not immersed in the life of Madision as much as the analysis of his thought and actions. The book had its moments but for the most part was dry and analytical. 3 stars.
Though interested in the constitution I am no expert and did not find this deep dive very interesting. Most of this book is scholarly and dry. I was not immersed in the life of Madision as much as the analysis of his thought and actions. The book had its moments but for the most part was dry and analytical. 3 stars.
October 12, 2018
I was unfortunately disappointed with this book.
The writing felt clunky and scattered and the ideas disjointed. For such a short book I do not see why there are so many long direct quotes, that could have been cut down or paraphrased, other than to hit a page count.
The book overall felt like Willis got the short end of the stick when it came to signing up for what president he would be writing a book on.
The writing felt clunky and scattered and the ideas disjointed. For such a short book I do not see why there are so many long direct quotes, that could have been cut down or paraphrased, other than to hit a page count.
The book overall felt like Willis got the short end of the stick when it came to signing up for what president he would be writing a book on.
June 7, 2022
I certainly learned a great deal about Madison and his presidency, despite this being a relatively short biography. This also overlapped with some major events in Jefferson and Monroe's life and I have biographies of both of those men that confirm these events. This is not a complete telling of Madison's life, but rather a brief look into the broad strokes of what he accomplished, but still an engaging and enlightening read.
September 2, 2022
The Historian Garry Wills wrote the political biography of James Madison for The American Presidents, which was published in 2002. Wills also wrote the book Lincoln at Gettysburg: The Words That Remade America, which was published in 1992. Similar to other books in The American Presidents series, Wills’s biography of Madison is short, effective, and well-researched. Wills’s book has an introduction that introduces themes and the focus of Madison’s biography. This book includes a Timeline and Selected Bibliography. Wills’s biography is focused on the presidency of Madison and also Madison's view of the presidency in terms of political philosophy. The book is only 164 long. Only 12 pages of the biography are spent on Madison’s life before the Continental Congress of 1787 (11-23). Only four pages are spent on the life of Madison after his presidency ended in 1817 (161-164). Madison died in 1836 (172). Wills’s biography of Madison is very organized with different sections on different themes. There is a section on Madison’s pre-presidency life (9-56), Madison’s first term (57-118), Madison’s second term (119-160), and then there is an epilogue covering his post-presidency (161-164). Each of these sections are broken down into different chapters. The book has 13 total chapters. Garry Wills provides an interesting and well-done view of Madison’s presidency and political philosophy. On a side note, Steve of the blog, My Journey Through the Best Presidential Biographies has excellent reviews of several of The American Presidents series biographies.
June 2, 2018
Oh Jemmy, your story is interesting but this book was not. Basically the story of a short, anxious, and sickly dude who helps write one of the most important documents in United States history and becomes the leader of the free world. He wages war, wages peace, makes some decisions, changes his mind several times, and comes out ranked as a very average president.
March 6, 2019
Not a full bio, this continues the American presidents series with short focused bios, this one specifically on Madison as president. I appreciated that Willis covered things not covered in the other two Madison specific bios I read, and enjoyed his questioning and analysis on how someone who was so pivotal to the creation of our constitution turned out to just be an average president.
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