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Founding Rivals: Madison vs. Monroe, The Bill of Rights, and The Election that Saved a Nation
by
Chris DeRose (Goodreads Author)
The Amazing True Story of the Election That Saved the Constitution
In 1789, James Madison and James Monroe ran against each other for Congress—the only time that two future presidents have contested a congressional seat.
But what was at stake, as author Chris DeRose reveals in Founding Rivals: Madison vs. Monroe, the Bill of Rights, and the Election That Saved a Nation, was...more
In 1789, James Madison and James Monroe ran against each other for Congress—the only time that two future presidents have contested a congressional seat.
But what was at stake, as author Chris DeRose reveals in Founding Rivals: Madison vs. Monroe, the Bill of Rights, and the Election That Saved a Nation, was...more
Hardcover, 336 pages
Published
November 14th 2011
by Regnery History
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These two men can be considered founding fathers, both having served in the Revolutionary War, the Confederation Congress, in the First US Congress (one a Senator the other a Representative) and as Presidents (Madison as the 4th, Monroe as the 5th). They remained close friends for much of their lives in spite of running against each other in a gerrymandered district which strongly favored Monroe.
Both felt the government under the Articles of Confederation needed strengthening. Madison was motiva...more
Both felt the government under the Articles of Confederation needed strengthening. Madison was motiva...more
In these days of contentious politics, where adversaries rip into one another with all the grace of beasts, Chris DeRose's Founding Rivals is downright heartening. It is the story of a friendship born of revolution and the struggle to create a more perfect union, a friendship which helped define that union...and one which persevered even as the two friends found themselves running against one another for the same seat in the first Congress of the United States.
Madison and Monroe's names stand ta...more
Madison and Monroe's names stand ta...more
A refreshing perspective on the Founding Fathers
Published 2011 by Regnery History
I am an avid reader of American history and one of my favorite areas to study is the American Revolution and the Founding Fathers. There is no shortage of books about the build up to the Declaration of Independence, the Revolutionary War and Washington, Jefferson and Adams (as of late) but there is a real scarcity of books about the difficulties experienced by the Articles of Confederation government and the debates...more
Published 2011 by Regnery History
I am an avid reader of American history and one of my favorite areas to study is the American Revolution and the Founding Fathers. There is no shortage of books about the build up to the Declaration of Independence, the Revolutionary War and Washington, Jefferson and Adams (as of late) but there is a real scarcity of books about the difficulties experienced by the Articles of Confederation government and the debates...more
I enjoyed this book very much. The author highlights the struggle for ratification of the U.S. Constitution as a replacement for the Articles of Confederation in the friendship and rivalry of James Madison and James Monroe. The differences between the Federalists and the Anti-Federalists and their support or opposition to the Constitution in many ways boiled down to the need for a Bill of Rights and the power of the Federal Government to impose direct taxation on citizens of the United States. A...more
This book reveals the long forgotten but significant election that would send James Madison to Congress from Virginia's 5th Congressional district. While I consider myself an amateur student of history this story was unknown by me. It was the first election after the ratification of the Constitution. The author persuasively contends had Madison not won we would not have had the Bill of Rights. His opponent was his good friend, James Monroe. Then a Federalist, Madison had let the effort to secur...more
Now one of my favorites. This book is really well written and quite easy to read. Does a great job of weaving the lives of two friends turned political rivals: James Madison and James Monroe. Good mix of general biography with a great educational slant: you learn what each thought of the Constitution and in hindsight, get to judge who was right. If you like American History, don't miss this book!
An excellent look at the political struggles behind the fight for and against the Constitution and the Bill of Rights. The author waxes a bit too enthusiastic at times--but he is a political strategist not a professional historian. This gives him a unique perspective and adds to the interest of the book because he has a strong understanding of how politics worked then and works now.
This book details the events of a unique Congressional election...the only time in American history when two future Presidents would face off against each other.
The writer writes a fast paced narrative that keeps the pages turning. Highly recommended for people with an interest in history.
The writer writes a fast paced narrative that keeps the pages turning. Highly recommended for people with an interest in history.
This was a great book mainly about James Madison. It discussed a little known election between Madison and Monroe for Congressman. Madison was THE major player in the creation of our government. Great reading!
Since grammar school, I've eagerly read books on the Founding Fathers. But, I never focused on Madison or Monroe. This book provided me with a vital piece of how our country was founded.
This book might have value for junior high school students if the author would restrain his tendencies towards excessive melodrama and patriotic worship of the Founding Fathers and adopt a more objective approach to his subject. The "election that saved a nation" is only one example of his tendency to exaggerate and oversell what is not a particularly interesting or insightful narrative. The principals come across with less depth than the average comic book character and the retelling of the eve...more
A good, comprehensive history of the U.S. from the 1750s to 1790s including the Revolutionary war, Articles of Confederation, Constitution and Bill of Rights. I would recommend this book to history buffs and people interested in the principles behind the construction of the U.S. government.
I find things I learned in this book helps me to have a bit different view of the country today. I doubt we have ever had since that time such strong and forceful men as began our country, yet they had their weaknesses, too. I doubt it was the author's intention, but I rather blame James Madison for the strength of the central government. I find myself in the camp of the other side, who believed the danger too great to give the government the power to levy taxes as it eventually got.
The book en...more
The book en...more
I learned some things about both men I didn't know, and that was useful.
This book was quite interesting despite the reader - I just could not get into his half whispers and fake inflections. The information provided gave me an insight into the Federalist and the Anti-Federalists. Considering when this took place I would have seen myself as and Anti-Federalist - even today - I realize that they had foreseen the problems we have today in the overreaching of the government.
I've read a lot of book about the founding, the Founders, and this one is very good. Then author writes well, and describes the activities of Madison and Monroe contemporaneously with each other. The author also captured some new thoughts and ideas about these two and the founding that I hadn't considered before. A definate must read.
Fantastic. A must read.
Interesting take on these two men and their relationships with others of the time.
Never realized how important James Madison was.
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Beautifully written. Has the best epilogue I've ever read. This should be required reading for anyone interested in going into public office, and for all those currently. Quite the lesson in making progress, compromise, manners, and ethics.
Never realized how important James Madison was. On a side note 3 of the first 5 presidents died on July 4th. J. Adams, T. Jefferson and J. Monroe
An excellent summary of why Madison is the Father of the Constitution. Only a few chapters on the actually election the book is supposed to be about. Still a good, quick read.
Great book on the fourth and fifth presidents and how they both ran for a seat in the first congress against each other.
Jun 08, 2013
Beth
marked it as to-read
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“Perhaps modern esteem for these figures serves as a reminder that, though statesmen may have to struggle mightily to advance their cause, and though they may lose on an issue or come out on the wrong side in the judgment of history, their principled determination is sufficient to win them a place in people's hearts, long after they are gone.”
—
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