num_pages: 576
description: A major new biography of the fourth president of the United States by New York Times bestselling author Lynne Cheney This majestic new biography of James Madison explores the astonishing story of a man of vaunted modesty who audaciously changed the world. Among the Founding Fathers Madison was a true genius of the early republic. Outwardly reserved Madison was the intellectual driving force behind the Constitution and crucial to its ratification. His visionary political philosophy and rationale for the union of statesso eloquently presented in The Federalist papershelped shape the country Americans live in today. Along with Thomas Jefferson Madison would found the first political party in the countrys historythe Democratic Republicans. As Jeffersons secretary of state he managed the Louisiana Purchase doubling the size of the United States. As president Madison led the country in its first war under the Constitution the War of 1812. Without precedent to guide him he would demonstrate that a republic could defend its honor and independenceand remain a republic still.
language: English
title: James Madison: A Life Reconsidered
publisher: Viking