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A review by jvanwago
James Madison: America's First Politician by Jay Cost
informative
medium-paced
4.75
I have been curious to learn more about James Madison since reading several other founding-father biographies. Jay Cost’s effort surprised, but did not disappoint me.
This book is lighter on biographical details and spends more time analyzing Madison’s politics. This approach makes sense. James Madison’s internal life was more exciting than his external.
Through this biography, I got a deeper exposure to revolutionary era politics than with other related books I have recently read. It helped me understand all of the players a little more. I particularly enjoyed learning about the War of 1812, of which I previously knew little.
Jay Cost makes the case that James Madison was mostly consistent throughout his political life, contrary to the prevailing analysis. I think that the author was mostly successful in this endeavor. However, sometimes this just came down to the fact that James Madison was a politician, and did what he could to maintain power for his faction. Most politicians can be counted as consistent at least in this respect.
Although Cost is obviously an admirer, he did not try to obfuscate Madison’s failures and weaknesses. Madison devised much of the framework for the republic, had an adequate congressional career, was a lackluster Secretary of the State, was a poor president for his first term and a half, and then redeemed himself in the last half of his second term.
I enjoyed Jay Cost’s writing style. It is difficult to make a book primarily about political philosophy as interesting as he did. Bravo. There were times I felt as if the writing style could have been a little more elevated and the use of clichés less preponderant.
This book is lighter on biographical details and spends more time analyzing Madison’s politics. This approach makes sense. James Madison’s internal life was more exciting than his external.
Through this biography, I got a deeper exposure to revolutionary era politics than with other related books I have recently read. It helped me understand all of the players a little more. I particularly enjoyed learning about the War of 1812, of which I previously knew little.
Jay Cost makes the case that James Madison was mostly consistent throughout his political life, contrary to the prevailing analysis. I think that the author was mostly successful in this endeavor. However, sometimes this just came down to the fact that James Madison was a politician, and did what he could to maintain power for his faction. Most politicians can be counted as consistent at least in this respect.
Although Cost is obviously an admirer, he did not try to obfuscate Madison’s failures and weaknesses. Madison devised much of the framework for the republic, had an adequate congressional career, was a lackluster Secretary of the State, was a poor president for his first term and a half, and then redeemed himself in the last half of his second term.
I enjoyed Jay Cost’s writing style. It is difficult to make a book primarily about political philosophy as interesting as he did. Bravo. There were times I felt as if the writing style could have been a little more elevated and the use of clichés less preponderant.