James Madison: A Son of Virginia and a Founder of the Nation
"Deal[s] with the whole man and with the complete story of [Madison's] life insofar as the biographer can limn it. . . . Restore[s] Madison's humanity."--The Wall Street Journal"[Broadwater's] biography is very solid and scholarly. . . the best medium-sized life of Madison that we have."-- Gordon S. Wood,The New York Review of Books[James Madison] will appeal to readers looking for an in-depth analysis of Madison's revolutionary thinking."--ForeWord Reviews"Meticulously researched and surprisingly readable. . . . History buffs and early-America aficionados will find Broadwater's work indispensable."--Publishers Weekly"In an engagingly formulated work of synthesis, Broadwater offers a compelling view of the essential Madison. . . . [His] clear writing style and contextual explanations make this work especially appealing to incipient scholars and general readers."--Library Journal"Highly recommended. General readers and undergraduate collections."--Choice"An essential American philosopher and president gains a substantive treatment."--Kirkus Reviews"Thorough, judicious, and insightful. . . . [Broadwater] leads us to appreciate the perceptiveness of the French diplomat Louis Otto's observation that Madison is 'a man one must study for a long time in order to make  a fair appraisal of him'."--The Review of Politics"[A] bold and worthy assessment."--The Historian"Broadwater grounds his study in the best Madison scholarship and thus understands Madison's position on the Constitution. . . . As good an account of James Madison as there is likely to be."--Claremont Review of Books"Broadwater has produced an eminently readable synthesis that is well suited for classroom use as well as for those looking for an insightful introduction to James Madison's thought and public career. . . . [He] has succeeded in giving us a thoughtful and interesting analysis of this pivotal figure, around whom so much of the political discourse of the early national period revolved."--Journal of Southern History"There are few one-volume works which stand in the pantheon of James Madison biographies. . . . [Broadwater's] is a welcome new addition to that list."--Register of the Kentucky Historical Society"Readers who want an introduction to [Madison's] political thought and practice over his whole career will find these volumes considerably valuable."--Journal of American History"Broadwater has done an excellent job of discussing and analyzing the major issues, events, and people with whom Madison had to deal. His book is a welcome addition to the literature on Madison's remarkable career."--Virginia Magazine"A comprehensive and fascinating view of the nations, personalities, economic issues and events that led to the War of 1812."--Rocky Mount Telegram