James Madison and the Making of America

by Kevin R.C. Gutzman

In James Madison and the Making of America, historian Kevin Gutzman looks beyond the way James Madison is traditionally seen -- as "The Father of the Constitution; -- to find a more complex and sometimes contradictory portrait of this influential Founding Father and the ways in which he influenced the spirit of today's United States.

Instead of an idealized portrait of Madison, Gutzman treats readers to the flesh-and-blood story of a man who often performed his founding deeds in spite of himself: Madison's fame rests on his participation in the writing of The Federalist Papers and his role in drafting the Bill of Rights and Constitution. Today, his contribution to those documents is largely misunderstood. He thought that the Bill of Rights was unnecessary and insisted that it not be included in the Constitution, a document he found entirely inadequate and predicted would soon fail. Madison helped to create the first American political party, the first party to call itself Republican, but only after he had argued that political parties, in general, were harmful.

Madison served as Secretary of State and then as President during the early years of the United States and the War of 1812; however, the American foreign policy he implemented in 1801-1817 ultimately resulted in the British burning down the Capitol and the White House. In so many ways, the contradictions both in Madison's thinking and in the way he governed foreshadowed the conflicted state of our Union now. His greatest legacy the disestablishment of Virginia's state church and adoption of the libertarian Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom is often omitted from discussion of his career. Yet, understanding the way in which Madison saw the relationship between the church and state is key to understanding the real man.

Kevin Gutzman's James Madison and the Making of America promises to become the standard biography of our fourth President.

Genres: History, Biography, Presidents, American History, Nonfiction, Politics, Biography Memoir

432 pages, Hardcover

First published February 14, 2012

About the author

Kevin R. C. Gutzman is the New York Times best-selling author of five books--with a sixth forthcoming. Professor of History at Western Connecticut State University, Gutzman holds a bachelor’s degree, a master of public affairs degree, and a law degree from the University of Texas at Austin, as well as an MA and a PhD in American history from the University of Virginia. Happy to be a former attorney, Gutzman devotes his intellectual energy to teaching courses in the Revolutionary and constitutional history of the United States, to writing books and articles in these fields, and to public speaking on related topics.

Dr. Gutzman's first book was the New York Times best-seller The Politically Incorrect Guide to the Constitution, an account of American constitutional history from the pre-Revolutionary days to the present. This work is unique in joining the fruits of the latest scholarship, a very readable presentation, and a distinctly Jeffersonian point of view. His second book, Virginia’s American Revolution: From Dominion to Republic, 1776-1840, explores the issue what the Revolutionaries made of the Revolution in Thomas Jefferson’s home state. After that, he co-authored Who Killed the Constitution? The Federal Government vs. American Liberty from World War I to Barack Obama with New York Times best-selling author Thomas E. Woods, Jr. and wrote James Madison and the Making of America--a Main Selection of the History Book Club. Most recently, he wrote Thomas Jefferson--Revolutionary: A Radical's Struggle to Remake America (St. Martin's Press, 2017), a selection of the History Book Club. His latest, coming on December 13, 2022 from St. Martin's Press, is The Jeffersonians: The Visionary Presidencies of Jefferson, Madison, and Monroe.

Gutzman has edited new editions of John Taylor of Caroline’s Tyranny Unmasked and New Views of the Constitution of the United States. His essay “Lincoln as Jeffersonian: The Colonization Chimera” appeared in editor Brian Dirck’s collection Lincoln Emancipated: The President and the Politics of Race, and his "James Madison and the Ratification of the Constitution: A Triumph Over Adversity" appeared in editor Stuart Leiberger's collection A Companion to James Madison and James Monroe (Blackwell 2012)."

Gutzman has appeared on over 500 radio programs, on Dave Rubin's and Tom Woods' popular podcasts (among others), on syndicated shows such as The Michael Medved Show, the Janet Parshall Show, and the Curtis Sliwa Show and multiple programs on Air America, on Sirius Satellite Radio (including as guest host), on America's Radio News Network, as well as on C-SPAN 2's "BookTV," CNN's "Lou Dobbs Tonight," and Fox News's "The Glenn Beck Program." He has also been interviewed by reporters from the AP, the Washington Times, the Philadelphia Enquirer, the Washington Post, The Hartford Business Journal, the Houston Chronicle online, and the New York Times.

Kevin Gutzman was a featured expert in the documentary films “John Marshall: Citizen, Statesman, Jurist," "Nullification: The Rightful Remedy," and "Safeguard: An Electoral College Story."

Reviews

[Adrianna · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was invited to a friend’s house for cocktail party and dinner. As I walked around her library, I could not get my eyes off of this book. I made a mental note to purchase it the following day.

On my way out and in the midst of a friendly hug, a good-by, and a thank for you for a delicious dinner; I felt something enticing being slipped into my hand. The shape, the size...it could only be one thing. I looked into my hands and smiled as I saw James Madison eyes staring into my very own! I do not know if I was too obvious in my interest, or if my friend simply knows me acutely well. (I am hoping for the latter).

I arrived home that evening, kicked off my heels, and threw myself on the sofa in hopes of being enchanted by the account of James Madison the man, the secretary of state, the president. I had high hopes of soaking up all the details. The book however, did not provide what I was in search of. (Mind you, this is no fault of the author’s. It was my doing. I picked up the book in such excitement I did not acknowledge it was not a biography prior to reading it).

What it is, is a detailed delineation of Madison’s political career. His part in the Bill of Rights, The Constitution, being the man responsible for originating the first political party of our great nation, and more. The details and research for this book were deep, detailed, and exquisite. Nevertheless, I believe it would have done the book justice if more of Madison the man, had been touched upon.

A note...If you haven not previously studied Madison, the book may leave you a little perplexed at times. The author provides very little account of Madison’s private life. Not having a background on who Madison is may leave readers feeling the book is a bit dry at times. Also...keep close attention characters throughout the book. It can become a little confusing.

[Alex · Rating 1 out of 5]

It's hard to imagine a more poorly written biography...hell, it's hard to even call this a biography. The best way I can describe this is to guess that the author had a long series of essays on the Federalist Papers which were rejected for publication, but, at some point, an editor suggested he pad the essays with some bare-bones facts about Madison and call it a Madison biography. By the end of this book you will know virtually nothing about Madison as a person, nor is the time in which he lived particularly well fleshed out. You will get interminable and highly detailed examinations of the Federalist Papers as well as all manners of various legal compacts in which Madison was involved. Sound dull? Oh, you have no idea just how dull it is, because in addition to telling little about Madison, the book may be the single driest and tedious book ever written. If ever someone had no understanding of how to use the English language to craft a compelling reading experience then it must be Kevin Gutzman. To make matters worse, the author does a horrible job of adding context and explanation to much of the minutiae he concentrates on so heavily, which makes it jarring, with a somewhat random feel, and often hard to follow. The book honestly reads like a rough draft that someone simply published as-is. Another complaint is that the author frequently resorts to presenting massive chunks of quoted primary source material, simply strung-together with an occasional joining sentence. Throughout a good half of the book I thought I might as well just read the Federalists Papers outright since this sham of a biography was just quoting them directly for so long. Again, it just reads like a rough draft that is many revisions away from being anything worth publishing. Do yourself a favor and avoid this book at all costs. Yes, it's true, there are not a lot of Madison bios out there, and if you're like me and are set on reading a bio of every POTUS then you need to find some bio on Madison, but trust me, this is NOT the bio you want.

[Aimee Tate · Rating 2 out of 5]

I won this book in a Goodreads First Reads giveaway.

I totally agree with Caren, this book does read like a textbook. I'm a huge history buff, and I love reading about it. But I too could not get though it.

[Justin · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received this Advance Reading Copy through Goodreads First Reads program, so I'll refrain from any quoting or commentary on spelling and proofing.

Gutzman has obviously done a tremendous amount of research to put this book together. If what you're looking for is a more textbook telling of James Madison's public life in in-depth detail, this is the book for you. Unfortunately, Madison's public life does not lend itself to a very compelling narrative. Though he was one of the great Founding Fathers, other luminaries such as Washington, Franklin, Adams, Hamilton, and Jefferson are much more interesting reads. This book never really takes the reader from Philadelphia, Virginia, or DC, and we spend most of our time inside convention halls, salons, and newspapers. Perhaps that is the greatest take-away for me from this book: Madison's contributions to our nation's founding were instrumental and demand careful study, but they do not lend themselves to a compelling read.

The other strike against this book is Gutzman's presentation. It is 363 pages (without the end notes), yet it is only divided into eight chapters with no additional breaks in the narrative. It is simply page after page of text, which makes for chewy reading. Fischer's Washington's Crossing in contrast (a book of comparable length) is broken up into 19 chapters and includes a wonderful introduction that orients the reader. Additionally, Washington's Crossing includes 19 maps and many dozens of inset portraits and paintings of the relevant personalities and places involved. These not only serve to further inform the reader, but also break up the text to make it more digestible. Gutzman's organization of the material may be logical (in that it is chronological), but it needs to be served in more concise and smaller portions.

Gutzman's chapters are as follows:

1: From Subject to Citizen
2: Winning the Revolution
3: The Philadelphia Convention
4: Ratifying the Constitution, Part One
5: Ratifying the Constitution, Part Two
6: Inaugurating the Constitution
7: Secretary of State, Then President
8: An Active Retirement

If you want a daily account of the Philadelphia Convention, a summary and analysis of each of the Federalist Papers, and a blow-by-blow of every twist and turn the ratification process, then I suggest this book. If you're looking for a page turner, look elsewhere. Though I can't get enough of this era, I found myself skimming large sections of this book knowing that I would never be able to retain its minutiae. It's a shame, because Madison's public life is worthy of study. But perhaps not in this level of detail.
Washington's Crossing

[Stacey · Rating 3 out of 5]

I won this book as a First Reads ARC. Let me start by saying what this book is not - this is not a biography as I think of McCullough's "John Adams" or Chernow's "Hamilton" as biographies. If I were looking for "James Madison and the Making of America" in a brick and mortar book store, I'd expect to find it in the History section. At least 95% of the focus is on Madison's politcal/public career.

It's obvious that the author did a tremendous amount of research and gives us a detailed account (lots of quotes in colonial English) of Madison's involvement/leadership in Virginia politics, drafting of the US Constitution, the publication of the Federalist papers, the Bill of Rights, the founding of the Republican party and other happenings and documents important to the founding of the US.

The author does a good job of letting the reader decide how to feel about Madison. I've read other books where I can clearly tell if the author liked or disliked someone and that tended to color my perception as well. That is not the case here.

If you are interested in US history and finding out how our goverment arrived at what it is today, this book provides a good view of that by going back to the beginning and looking the involvement of one of the most famous participants.

[Steve Smits · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ask average persons on the street who is the most revered founding father and they'll likely say "Washington" or "Jefferson". Fair enough: Washington for his guiding example of leadership (more for what he could have done but didn't) and Jefferson for his lofty political ideals. But, if you want to appreciate the practical founding architect of our political model you must know Madison. Gutzman's gives us a very close look at Madison's brilliant work toward the establishment of the nation. We have lost our awareness of how improbable was the outcome the constitution sought to create. How unlikely it was that a loose conglomeration of states with their own political cultures, conflicting economic interests and deep suspicion of centralized power could form a unified national government with substantive power to govern. Thanks to Madison's detailed recordings of the constitutional convention's proceedings (and this while he was actively participating in the debates) we get deep insights into how difficult the issues were to resolve. Gutzman gives us the deliberations of the delegates from a nearly daily perspective.

The difficulty of reaching compromise points to the complexity of finding the right balance of power between the states and the national government, between the branches of the national government, between the power of the majority v. protecting minorities and the strugggle to balance the role of the "democracy" v. "republicianism" governed by the elite. We are also reminded through Gutzman's history of the convention and the advocacy for its adoption that followed that the thorny issues were not completely resolved. The relationship between the powers of the national government and the states is still at issue as is the balance between individual liberty and collective power of government. Madison's worry about the destructive impact of "factions" is as pertinent today as it was in the late 1700's -- just turn on the nightly news!

Gutzman's book is well worth the read. It is not a psychological, personality oriented portrait of Madison, but it does provide an invaluable guide to the conceptual framework and deep challenges of forming and sustaining a lasting political compact.

[The American Conservative]

'Kevin Gutzman’s "James Madison and the Making of America" tackles the daunting task of answering how, in a remarkably purposeful and active life, James Madison devised the basic republican theory behind American government, led in drafting and ratifying the Constitution, sat at Washington’s right hand in establishing the new government, and then late in life was the authoritative voice interpreting the place of the Constitution in a growing America.

Gutzman’s day-by-day analysis of the debates and actions of the Constitutional Convention of 1787 is long—80 pages—but superb. He demonstrates Madison’s deep insight and great skill in first framing the task of the Convention, then, in responding to virtually every point raised by its members, guiding the debate to workable conclusions, and most remarkable of all, helping to fashion a document agreed to by “all states present.'

Read the full review, "What Madison Meant," on our website:
http://www.theamericanconservative.co...

[Manny · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my favorite subject and period. James Madison was an amazing person and his accomplishments still astonish me even by today's standards and the perceived advancement in technology. This biography does not bog you down with useless minutia about the subject, such as favorite food or their favorite color, rather Mr. Gutzman uses the time to show the great contribution Madison made and how his life experiences affected Madison's thoughts and ideas.

Madison believed that a particular religion should not be preferred over another. Coming from a state were Baptists were persecuted while the Episcopals were preferred, he opposed the idea of a "state church".

This book delved into the Philadelphia Convention and the Ratification Debates and showed how Madison being soft-spoken yet steadfast and sometimes even obdurate dedicated himself to the cause. Mr. Gutzman touches on the "Federalist Papers" of which Madison authored 29 of them with other contributors Alexander Hamilton and John Jay.

Although he seemed to change his views in his later years, he always remained true to the Constitution regardless of his views save the chartering of the 2nd national bank and what would be categorized today as "infrastructure projects". I was surprised to learn that Jefferson and Madison were proponents of colonization of freed slaves. This is something I always "credited" to Lincoln.

This is a great book and I enjoyed it very much. I recommend it as required reading for anyone interested in the original intent of the Constitution from ONE of its architects.

Another great book Mr. Gutzman.

[Paul Pessolano · Rating 4 out of 5]

“James Madison and the Making of America” by Kevin R. C. Gutzman, published by St. Martin’s Griffin.

Category – Biography/ United States History

There are not too many of us who are aware of James Madison, other than he was a President of the United States. It would surprise many of us to know that he, in fact, was the “The Father of the Constitution”, was largely responsible for the Bill of Rights, and formed the first political party. He was also a major contributor to “The Federalist Papers”, where he argued for the contented parts of the Constitution. He was also one of the first proponents for the exercise of religious freedom.

Madison was also a major force in George Washington’s presidency. Washington looked to Madison on many subjects but mostly on financial and foreign affairs. He also, for all wants and purposes, told Washington who to appoint for his cabinet and judges.

The book is largely written around the framing of the Constitution and goes into great detail about the Philadelphia Convention.

A book that has been well researched, as indicated by the number of “notes” in the book.

This is definitely not a book for the casual reader. It is a book best suited for the historian or one who is genuinely interested in the life of John Madison, and especially one who is interested in the framing of the United States Constitution.

[Shannon Lovejoy · Rating 2 out of 5]

I received this book for free through a Goodreads First Reads giveaway. I could not get into this book. The facts were interesting but after a while, things ran together. I'd get information overload after just a few pages. I'm hesitant to give two stars because this is the first biography I've read on a historical figure...perhaps they're all dry and crammed with details. I will probably try to enjoy this book again in the future because I do want to learn about Madison.

[Robert Owen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dull, dry and dispassionate. I gave it four stars because if you're looking for a "just the facts, ma'am" biography that will make you look smart when some blowhard starts popping off about the Constitution at a dinner party, this baby does the trick. Sadly, in the author's hands Madison becomes kind of a wax figure with little emotional depth or range.

[Sean McGowan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fantastic book. I specifically love the way Gutzman walks the reader through the Philadelphia Convention and the Virginia Ratification Convention. The way he writes it is hard to put the book down.

[J. Scott Frampton · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a very long book that provides incredible detail of the most influential times of President Madison‘s life. At times, it seems almost a day by day description about how he approached and drafted the many documents he influenced and the incredible positions that he held. The writing is clear and flows very nicely, it is a fascinating story That will make you reconsider and appreciate the goodness of the US constitution.

[Steve · Rating 3 out of 5]

http://bestpresidentialbios.com/2013/...

“James Madison and the Making of America,” published in 2012, is author Kevin Gutzman’s fourth and most recent book. He has previously written about the U.S. Constitution and Virginia’s transition from dominion to republic. He is Professor of History at Western Connecticut State University and is currently writing a book about the rivalry between Thomas Jefferson and Alexander Hamilton.

After only two chapters and fewer than fifty pages, I knew that Gutzman’s “James Madison” and I were having a difficult time together. The challenge began when Madison’s birth and childhood were described in a single page. Almost immediately, I followed Madison to college, and fairly quickly thereafter, to the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia in 1787. Rumor has it there was an American Revolution in there somewhere.

Though obvious in hindsight, it took me some time to put my finger on the issue. For the first half of the book, I was displeased, unsettled and unhappy. And then, in the midst of the most detailed (and impressively comprehensive) discussion of Madison’s contributions to The Federalist Papers I have ever seen, I realized what was bothering me. This is not really a biography about James Madison at all – it’s a biography of the U.S. Constitution.

In all, nearly two-thirds of the book is dedicated to the Constitutional Convention, The Federalist Papers and the intricacies of Virginia’s ratification convention. Nowhere else have I witnessed such an in-depth look at this fascinating birth, but it almost seems a fortunate accident that Madison’s role in each of these events was so substantial. Otherwise, my guess is that the author would have pursued the Constitution and not Madison – which is fine, but then the book would not have ended up on my list of presidential biographies.

To be clear, Madison’s participation at the heart of this book is both substantial and critical. Leaving aside the debate of whether Madison should be considered the “Father of the Constitution” (which the author chews on, deciding in the negative), after reading this book it is hard to imagine our nation resembling anything of its past two-and-a-quarter centuries had he not lived. Or had he taken up the priesthood.

But although it is not fair to suggest this is not a book about Madison, neither is this quite a biography of his life either. Missing is almost any of the personal flavor one expects from a true biography. Madison himself seems nearly lifeless and devoid of personality – though some may argue that is historically accurate. Even the deep personal and political friendship between Madison and Thomas Jefferson, though mentioned, is never fleshed out.

The book provides little context for notable historical events, yet every moment surrounding the drafting and ratification of the Constitution is described in such intricate detail that you might believe you are reading the notes of an Associated Press pool reporter. The reader witnesses every debate (great and small), every vote, every nuance of the process. Unclear is whether all this detail is important, but in the end you do feel like a unique witness to important history.

Fewer than one-hundred pages describe Madison’s final four decades, including his service to Washington, his time as Jefferson’s Secretary of State, his presidency and retirement. Although this whirlwind was far too fast for my taste, the summary of the War of 1812 was simply outstanding. Because of its importance to the Madison presidency, I’ve been disappointed in the past to find it a boring and incomprehensible slog, but Gutzman distilled it almost perfectly. I also found the vivid, suspense-filled description of the Virginia ratification process fascinating. I emerged from that part of the book unscathed, though the U.S. Constitution itself very nearly did not.

There was much to like about this book, but in the end the question remains: is this a book about Madison, or about the Constitution? It tries to be both, but it seems somewhat awkwardly to be more the latter. And I’m still puzzled by the apparent error in Madison’s date-of-birth, in the very first sentence of the book (which is claimed to be April 16, but appears to be off by a full month). I attempted to trace this back to the author’s attributed source, but was unable.

A connoisseur of Virginia history is likely to find this book an excellent read. For a budding constitutional scholar, it may be even better. But as a biography of our fourth president, “James Madison and the Making of America” feels incomplete and slightly mis-directed.

Overall rating: 3 1/2 stars

[Casandra Hassett · Rating 5 out of 5]

I greatly enjoyed this book with the exception of 1 chapter.

What I liked. This book was pretty detailed in his political accomplishments. We go into great detail during his time at the Philadelphia convention and Virginia's Constitutional convention and many of the details were new to me.

Downside: we do skip a few things, well maybe not skip but graze over a few of his bad decisions.

Upside: in no other book that I have read about Madison have we gone into this great detail about his policies.

Downside: you don't get a big overview of his life. Well sort of downside. I didn't want a big overview of his life. So this would be a good second book to read about Madison and not the first book about him.

one thing that I really like about this book is that the author did a great job of tieing in many of the big people who were helping or being helped by Madison without putting Madison on a pedestal like he was better then everyone else. The author acknowledges the downside of many of these people including Madison.

Downside: The one chapter that I did not like. ahh, I see the great advantage of going into almost day by day recap of the convention. But geesh it was dull. I suppose that I may have not really appreciated the research the author went through and how this information is possible because of the detailed records the Madison kept. With that being said I could not take a star away from the overall review of the book for the author doing his due diligence. But it was dull and if you like that part of history, the great details, you will greatly enjoy this book.

I did enjoy it and I do feel a bit more appreciative of Madison, even if he did basically switch sides or did a nearly 180 in his viewpoints. Maybe just 160. :)

[Furbjr · Rating 4 out of 5]

James Madison and the Making of America was selected by people using http://freedombookclub.com as March 2012's Book of the Month.

Dr. Gutzman delivers a deep look into the public life of James Madison, from his beginnings under John Witherspoon at Princeton (where he developed a keen ability to look at situations in an analytical way), on to his public life. The author delves deeply into the Madison's role at the Constitutional Conventions, the Ratification Convention in Richmond, his time as Secretary of State, and various other times where Madison served.

I really liked where Gutzman exposed Madison's inconsistencies. During ConCon deliberations, Madison held certain positions; but during Ratification Convention deliberations, he sometimes argued against that same position. Later as President of the United States, he would betray some scruples he was thought to have held onto tightly.

This unbiased report on James Madison stands in stark contrast to other biographies I have recently read, which were slanted in their depiction of their subjects. It is clear that Madison was a very capable man, doing his best. While I disagree with many of the things that Madison had his hands in while in public life, I admire his sticktoitiveness. The man was a dynamo. It seems to me that he was very single minded, and devoted his life to politics.

This book is replete with references to original source materials, as well as the citations of other historians and scholars (36 pages of notes). Also notable is Gutzman's use of language: the lexicon from which he draws is astounding. Keep a dictionary close by.

[David Murrell · Rating 3 out of 5]

These are my notes on the Madison book.

First, let me say that the author has a hard time deciding who his primary audience is. At times, he writes as if this were a children’s book, i.e. “in the days before bullets, firearms required gunpowder…”

If the reader is interested in the questions of the constitutionality of the Louisiana Purchase or the nuances of Jefferson’s rejection of the Monroe-Pickney Treaty in 1807, then it is probably fair to say that the author needn’t remind us that they didn’t have refrigeration in Madison’s day. The multiple use of the verb “poo-pooh” doesn't really lend credibility to the scholastic nature of the work.

I’ll be honest, it was a dry book that I had to make myself finish, and this is from someone with an acute interest in the history of this period.

And as others have pointed out, this is not a traditional biography. It is a history of the Constitution with a protagonist in the form of Madison. One chapter is devoted to his combined time as Secretary of State and President (16 year time span) and even less on his formative years. I suspect it was marketed as a biography to expand its marketplace potential. I also suspect Madison had a deep, complicated and thoughtful personality that would elicit our interest. But if so, we don’t learn about it here. I know Madison the Man marginally better than before I undertook the task of reading this book. Contrast with McCollough’s work on Adams.

All of this to say the book was not useless. It was enlightening on many fronts. I just wish the writing was more engaging.

[Shawn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very much enjoyed this book. It's my second on Madison. I dare say there would be no Constitution without him. He wasn't perfect. Early on he wanted Congress to have veto power over all state's laws. That would have ended the experiment right there.

Through the Federalist Papers and in debates over the Constitution he made incredibly important contributions to the construction of the Republic at just the right times.

A slight and often sickly man, people often strained to hear him speak, but when they heard him they were always impressed by the force of his scholarship. That's not to say he didn't have enemies. Patrick Henry, a truly radical republican, opposed Virginia's ratification of the Constitution in the form it was presented. Without Madison, Virginia might not have joined the Union and Washington, Jefferson, Madison, and Monroe would never have become presidents.

It's fascinating to follow Madison's evolution from federalism to republicanism, and how he faced the practical problems of the presidency which never have been solved on purely ideological bases.

The prescience he had when discussing what the results of deciding a matter one way or another is amazing. He wasn't so smart in military matters, however - leaving Washington virtually undefended in 1812 - which invited the British to march right into the city to burn down the White House.

For the most part, however, he was adroit and brilliant, and this book does a good job in describing his legacy.

[Andrew Barney · Rating 3 out of 5]

I don't feel like this biography does much as far as giving a well-rounded view of who Madison was as a person. However, this does not seem to be the author's intent. As the title implies, the book shows how Madison was influential in the establishment of the American government. Also, the author's concluding paragraphs make the point that Madison did not feel like he needed to tell people how to remember him - rather, his actions and accomplishments speak for themselves.

If you aren't at all interested in political theory or the intricacies of the constitutional convention, this book is NOT for you. Much of this book is a day-by-day recitation of the events of the constitutional convention and an essay-by-essay summary of the Federalist Papers written by James Madison. Fortunately I found this fascinating as an in depth read into why the constitution was written the way it was, and the underlying political theory behind much of what became the American system of government.

I came away with the impression that Madison was a brilliant and capable writer, politician and political theorist, but at best a mediocre leader and president. I feel like the author presented a balanced view of Madison and a good summary of his accomplishments. However, I would have liked to read more about other areas of his life and who he was as a person.

[Iain · Rating 4 out of 5]

James Madison was a man who left his mark on the fabric of what is America. In 1787 he was the principal author of the U.S. Constitution, during 1788 he authored about a third of the Federalist Papers, and for the first ten amendments to the Constitution (said to be based on the Virginia Declaration of Rights), and thus is also known as the "Father of the Bill of Rights." Kevin Gutzman presents a history of Madison at his most influential on the development of the infant American nation and the words he put forth to .

On religion:
“The purpose of separation of church and state is to keep forever from these shores the ceaseless strife that has soaked the soil of Europe in blood for centuries."

On the military:
“The means of defence agst. foreign danger, have been always the instruments of tyranny at home.”

The Second Amendment, basically guns
“A well-regulated militia, being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed.”

On governance:
“Knowledge will forever govern ignorance, and a people who mean to be their own governors, must arm themselves with the power knowledge gives.”

James Madison is the founding father who is often overlooked, but should not be, as his words have loomed large with how America defines itself.

A good read!

[Scott Pearson · Rating 4 out of 5]

James Madison was a genius. He was the main crafter of the United States Constitution and its main defender/expositor in the Federalist Papers. He saw human and governmental problems more deeply than anyone else in his era. We have him to thank for our world's embrace of democracy and self-government.

Nonetheless, he might not succeed as a politician in the television era. He was small and had a soft voice. He had aristocratic tendencies. He was exceedingly bookish. As such, his biography focuses on the traits of the mind instead of activities. Whereas most of the Founding Fathers had exciting lives, Madison lived as an idealistic and bookish man. His biography then reads more like a ledger of government than like an exciting life.

Gutzman does a decent job of this. Almost all of the tedium is due to Madison's tediousness and not the author's weaknesses. It's fun to swap reasons with Madison. It's fun to reflect how American history has gone back-and-forth on the principles which governed Madison's life. His life was governed by a cerebral approach, and this book makes his logic clear.

[Allen · Rating 4 out of 5]

A couple of things struck me while reading this book. First, Madison's youth was a surprise; he was only 25 when the Declaration of Independence was signed, and in his 30s when he was the "father of the Constitution". I tend to think of the Founding Fathers as we see them in their portraits, old and staid.

The best insight I got from the book was the start of an understanding of how political parties first developed in the US. We lament the polarization of American political life today, but strident hyperbole is nothing new. Madison and the Republicans were going to destroy the Union and fragment it into individual states that would be snapped up by European masters, while the Federalists were going to abolish states entirely to strengthen the tyrannical central government.

What has changed for the worse is the intellectual rigor of the discourse in Congress; the Founders spoke to each other, an educated elite, while politicians today speak for the Twitterverse.

An engaging read, and a worthwhile window into the formation of our country.

[Pam Kearney · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was expecting a biography, but this was really more of a detailed, almost hour by hour account of Madison's involvements/contributions first in Virginia, and then in the American Revolution (the Federalist Papers, the U.S. Constitution, etc) Those interested in how important documents in our country's history came to be will enjoy this well researched work. I actually didn't enjoy this one as much as most non fiction works of the Revolutionary War Era, probably because of my expectations. I was really expected a book that explored the man and what made him tick. I liked it, but didn't love it.

[Mike Nyberg · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is as much or more about the development of America and constitution post revolutionary war than it is about Madison. But then again, Madison is not a very exciting figure. Unlike Washington, Adams and Jefferson, Madison is some what boring. I wish more attention would have been payed to Dolly Madison. She is quite interesting. This is a very heavy read.

[Al Lock · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have always admired James Madison, both for his efforts during the writing of the Constitution and his arguments on the limitations that document prescribes on the power of the Federal Government. It is enlightening to see how Madison's positions varied over the years. His human failings are clearly displayed. Great book, highly recommended.

[Ann · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was an interesting book. Overall, the author did a good deal of research and I learned quite a bit about Madison and his large contribution to writing the constitution.

Unfortunately, this book read like a collection of documents all pieced together. Though highly factual, the read was quite dry. In my opinion, the author failed to really bring Madison and his story to life.

[Debbie Jacob · Rating 5 out of 5]

A thorough biography of Madison and a detailed look at the history of the constitution. The author manages to convey Madison as a person, which is not an easy task given the fact he was anything but a publicity-seeking person.

[Brad Hart · Rating 4 out of 5]

I certainly wouldn't call this the definitive biography on James Madison but it's still a wonderful source of information (accurate information) on the life of this extremely interesting and important Founding Father.

[Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very detailed but very readable.

[Louise Yarnall · Rating 3 out of 5]

While James Madison is known for selected aspects of his legacy—writing the Constitution, The Federalist papers, and the Bill of Rights, this biography presents a more complex portrait. While not gracefully written, this book stays true to the challenging source material, clarifying Madison’s reasoning while pointing out his contradictions, flaws, and frustrations. The book’s revelations also counter recent orthodox framings of our founders’ intentions. For example, in this telling, Madison saw the Bill of Rights not as sacred text, but as a kind of contractual fine print intended to convince the most nervous stragglers to ratify the Constitution. Madison repeatedly characterized the Constitution as imperfect and unfinished, but something that should be refined only through amendments based on exhaustive and painful debates in state and national constitutional conventions rather than by judiciary activism, legislative overreach, or, worst of all, executive order. He was a religious skeptic who believed the state needed to observe strict distance from endorsing any single religion, particularly in education. Contrary to the polarized and exclusionary discourse that dominates our era, Madison was a rational, principled thinker who referred to rules, but who acknowledged diverse views and embraced compromise. For example, he initially thought a national military was to be avoided if at all possible, but learned when in office that one was needed. He also thought slavery was clearly inconsistent with nation’s founding ideals, but he compromised to win approval of the union (and he intended to free his own slaves only after he and his wife died). Madison disliked factions and parties, but founded a “democratic-republican” party to oppose Hamilton’s federalist ideas—which struck him as too British and monarchical. He initially opposed establishing a central bank, but eventually realized one was needed to negotiate debt and trade at an international level. He saw the Constitution as strictly “enumerating” limited rights to the federal government, but he also challenged efforts by states to opt out of the union’s principles of democracy. What would Madison make of 2025 America? I believe he would reject so-called unitary executive theorists as monarchists. He would reject the most extreme judicial originalists as scolds who substitute policing for fluid, enlightened reasoning. He would see party gerrymanders, militia-based mob vigilantes, white supremacists, Christian nationalists, and billionaire power-grabbers like Musk as predictable deviants of the type who have threatened democracies through the ages. In this book, I see Madison as an intellectual and scholar of a type almost never seen in elected office in our poll- and media-driven political landscape. He modeled dispassionate argumentation that combined logic with adherence to secular humanist values. In 2025, we are quite far off the mark that he set, but as a nation, we have been here before. Thanks to books like this, we can hear Madison’s voice again. Maybe it can guide us back to the better path.