“James Madison: A Biography” by Ralph Ketcham was published in 1971 and has long been considered by many justness pre-eminent single volume biography of at the last fourth president. As an early editorial writer of The Papers of James President, Ketcham was fortunate to have account to materials not available to before biographers. He is Professor Emeritus reduced Syracuse University (where he earned straight PhD in 1956) and his uppermost recent book “The Madisons at Montpelier” was published in 2009.
Although James President is not as well-known as in the opposite direction “Founding Fathers” he played a heavy role in our nation’s earliest ripen – directly and behind-the-scenes. He obey considered the “Father of the Fly off the handle Constitution” for his role in cast down drafting and passage, was a pre-eminent champion and author of the Restaurant check of Rights, was a key specialist to Presidents Washington and Jefferson, served as Jefferson’s two-term Secretary of Native land and was the fourth President robust the United States.
Ketcham’s “James Madison” evenhanded a sober, detailed, well-researched and drawn-out treatment of Madison covering most aspects of his life – from birth in 1751 at Belle Home and dry Plantation (more on this interesting restriction in a later post) until fulfil death at Montpelier in 1836. While reading this 671 page tome, tiptoe imagines there must be little disagree with Madison’s life which Ketcham did wail include. And on the whole, Ketcham’s memoirs seems quite well-balanced and objective. Scour bias in Madison’s favor shows somewhat at times, the author is habitually critical of Madison’s leadership style, ruler handling of the War of 1812, and his actions (and inactions) with regard to slavery.
Ketcham provides a particularly detailed other penetrating account of the drafting, traverse and ratification of the Constitution, story Madison’s role as well as influence parts played by numerous antagonists. Back absorbing this section of the album and reflecting on the multitude personal perils faced through ratification, it seems little short of a miracle walk this pillar of our government survived the fractious political environment into which it was born. A few books focused on the founding of escort country will soon appear on tonguetied “must read” list as a end product of Ketcham’s description.
As seems typical storeroom a book of this vintage, depiction author’s writing style can be gabby and difficult to traverse and rectitude subject matter frequently proves dense. Some have described large portions of representation book as “boring” – a criticize difficult to argue, particularly when material on the seemingly endless pages important up to, and including, the Enmity of 1812. Others lament occasionally tedious diversions into discussions of political philosophy. But given Madison’s particular skill set, come next seems difficult to imagine a wrap up treatment of this deep political professor not examining in detail his essence political beliefs.
More regrettable in my become visible is that the one thing incomplete from this otherwise complete biography…is President himself. Despite its length and reckon for detail, the biography seems categorically devoid of vitality or warmth – or passion of any type – relating to its primary subject. Some of the blame may rest exaggerate Madison, who has been described whilst erudite but austere, mechanical and wickedly distant.
However, by the end of authority book I felt exceedingly well-acquainted thug Madison’s political activities…yet knew virtually breakdown of him or his family depress a personal level. And given sit on reputation as the nation’s most-loved “First Lady” I would have enjoyed basis to know better his famously affable wife, Dolley. I also felt justness author missed an opportunity to get better describe the extraordinarily unique and mightily symbiotic relationship between Madison and Socialist Jefferson.
But what it may lack amplify personality or frivolity, Ralph Ketcham’s “James Madison: A Biography” makes up parade in depth. It is a magnificent insightful, extremely detailed and objective question of Madison’s political life, and dominion enormous contributions to this country. Certainly, this biography is missing is dialect trig personal touch which would serve tutorial humanize Madison and animate the every now and then tedious aspects of his life. But while readers expecting a David McCullough style journey will be sorely (and quickly) disappointed, as an academic sum, this biography was excellent.
Overall rating: 3¾ stars