THE FOURTH PRESIDENT: The Life of James Madison

by Irving Brant ‧ RELEASE DATE: Jan. 1, 1969

Last time round it took Brant six volumes to encompass the life of James Madison, and the result (completed in 1961) was extremely impressive and highly acclaimed. Now, be it known throughout the ranks of the less-than-dogged history buffs, you can read it all in 496 pages without significant loss of content or context. Much of the extra weight was pried-up corroborative evidence to clobber down historical misrepresentations of the Jefferson and Madison administrations--of Madison as Jefferson's office boy and a less-than-first-rate president--and fallacious interpretations of the Constitution as a victory for the defenders of state Sovereignty. Brant feels he no longer has to prove his points as painstakingly (though many critics were swayed only so far as to concede Madison a first place among the second-raters), so this ""selectively condensed"" version (less of The Virginia Revolutionist, more of Commander in Chief) is closer to a straight narrative and appraisal of Madison's character and work and the history he helped shape. Of special interest to the specially interested, but still fairly heavy going for the general reader.

Pub Date: Jan. 1, 1969

ISBN: N/A

Page Count: -

Publisher: Bobbs-Merrill

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Jan. 1, 1969

Categories: NONFICTION