James Madison and the Making of America

Kevin R. C. Gutzman

Feb 2012 · Sold by St. Martin's Press

About this ebook

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.

Ratings and reviews

Amazing of the lack of respect And the continuous manipulation of our Founding father's personal and professional lives. Ignorance is a disease that still effects many American's today. These individuals that are disrespected for variety of traits that in which those traits had to be according each ones era at the time. As one can see through the age's, changes, Rights for all, domestic and foreign policy, etc. Majority of our past leaders were as some should be seen as Devine for God having certain pieces in places were they need to be till as he sees fit. Since America leads the way for the most part for the World, well its impossible for mankind to assimilate a sound structure on their own. The World would of end long ago. Call them as you like, racist, bigots hipocrits etc. Well one can comprehend as to why, if true to themselves and honest, and then change mindset to the World issues and current critical crisis, well that's exactly why. One is a pure fool to have audicity to assume he/she expects to see and have and comfort zone of ones perfect world. That's absurd, never. Everything in time, perhaps something your grandchildren may see. Billions been here before us and haven't seen or accomplish, truly enjoyed life...Not even half of what an spoil American has or had today.

About the author

Kevin R. C. Gutzman is the author of the New York Times bestseller The Politically Incorrect Guide to the Constitution, of Virginia's American Revolution, and (with Thomas E. Woods, Jr.) of Who Killed the Constitution? The Fate of American Liberty from World War I to George W. Bush. He is Professor of History at Western Connecticut State University and lives in Bethel, Connecticut.