Madison's Gift; Five Partnerships That Built America

New York, NY: Simon & Schuster, 2015. First Hardcover Edition [Stated], First Printing [Stated]. Hardcover. Good/Very good. viii, [2], 419, [3] pages. Illustrations. Notes. Index. Minor binding error after illustrations noted. Includes chapters on Madison's relationships with Alexander Hamilton, George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, James Monroe, and Dolley Madison. Calling card of Alice E. Mayhew, Vice President and Editorial Director of the Adult Publishing Group of Simon & Schuster, is laid in. David O. Stewart (April 2, 1951) is an American author and attorney who writes both nonfiction historical narratives and historical fiction. His books include Madison's Gift: Five Partnerships That Built America; The Lincoln Deception; American Emperor: Aaron Burr's Challenge to Jefferson's America, Impeached: The Trial of President Andrew Johnson and the Fight for Lincoln's Legacy, and The Summer of 1787: The Men Who Invented the Constitution. His novels include The Lincoln Deception, and The Babe Ruth Deception. In this book, historian David O. Stewart restores James Madison, often overshadowed by his fellow Founders, to his proper place as the most significant framer of the new nation. To reach his lifelong goal of a self-governing constitutional republic, he blended his talents with those of his most talented contemporaries. Madison invoked the influence of his patron George Washington to lead the drive for the Constitutional Convention; Madison who wrote the Federalist Papers with Alexander Hamilton to secure the constitution's ratification; Madison who correct the greatest blunder of the Constitution by drafting and securing passage of the Bill of Rights with George Washington's essential support; Madison who worked with Thomas Jefferson to found the nation's first political party; Madison who drew on the martial virtues of James Monroe to guide the new nation through its first, unsteady war in 1812. No American leader has matched Madison's gift for joining with brilliant and diverse personalities in pursuit of great achievements. Derived from a Kirkus review: A fond portrait of the mild-mannered Virginian and implacable advocate for the young American government. Historian Stewart offers a pertinent lesson on Madison's ability to forge working bonds with other founding members of the new American government, even if they did not always see eye to eye. Discreet, generous and nonegotistical, unlike others who hammered out the documents that framed the new government, Madison refused to take credit in the forging of the Constitution. He was overshadowed by the more dynamic personalities of George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Alexander Hamilton and James Monroe, yet the complement of their respective qualities resulted in brilliant working relationships during the course of Madison's political career. Hamilton and Madison, both in their 30s, recognized that the Articles of Confederation were inadequate for managing the new nation and had to be replaced by a stronger national government. Madison cleverly used the power and prestige of Gen. Washington in consolidating attendance at the Convention and winning votes for the Bill of Rights, and the two largely struck the deal to build a new capital on the Potomac. In Jefferson, Madison found an intellectual kindred spirit and lifelong friend. Monroe served in Jefferson's and Madison's administrations and navigated the Louisiana Purchase and renewed hostility with Britain. Finally, the woman and helpmate Madison found late in life, Dolley, evolved into a winning "Lady Presidentess" and devoted caretaker in his dotage at Montpelier. Stewart's lively character sketches employ sprightly prose and impeccable research.