Title:
Becoming Madison : the extraordinary origins of the least likely founding father / Michael Signer.
Author:
Signer, Michael, author.
Publication Information:
New York : Public Affairs, [2015]
Call Number:
E342 .S544 2015
Abstract:
In a time when America is desperately searching for leadership comes this inspiring story of James Madison's coming of age, providing incisive and original insight into the Founding Father who did the most but is known the least. Political theorist Michael Signer takes a fresh look at the life of our fourth president. His focus is on Madison before he turned 36, the years in which he did his most enduring work: battling with Patrick Henry--the most charismatic politician in revolutionary America, whose political philosophy and ruthless tactics eerily foreshadowed those of today's Tea Party--over religious freedom; introducing his framework for a strong central government; becoming the intellectual godfather of the Constitution; and providing a crucial role at Virginia's convention to ratify the Constitution in 1788, when the nation's future hung in the balance. Signer's young James Madison is a role model for the leaders so badly needed today: a man who overcame daunting personal issues (including crippling anxiety attacks) to battle an entrenched and vicious status quo. Michael Signer's brilliant analysis of "Madison's Method," the means by which Madison systematically destroyed dangerous ideas and left in their stead an enduring and positive vision for the United States, is wholly original and uniquely relevant today.--From publisher description.
Geographic Term:
Edition:
First edition.
ISBN:
9781610392952
Physical Description:
xi, 371 pages : illustrations ; 23 cm
Subject Term:
Contents:
"Our passions are like torrents" -- The good doctor -- A nexus imperii -- The high tract of public life -- "The annals of heaven" -- "If this be treason, make the most of it!" -- Suspending his intellectual functions -- All men are equally entitled -- Councilor to Governor Henry -- "Distrust of the public ability" -- A defect of adequate statesmen -- The "coercive power" -- A sad reunion -- Kitty -- A remonstrance -- Solitude and reform -- "A little rebellion" -- The vices -- "On my right & left hand" -- The campaign begins -- Several mad freaks -- Ratification in Richmond -- Extremely feeble -- Bugbears and hobgoblins -- The revelations of Zachariah Johnson -- Retaliation -- Sedition.
Personal Subject:
Personal Author:
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