James Madison
A Life Reconsidered
by Lynne Cheney
Published By: Viking, 2014
Genre: Nonfiction | Biography & Memoir, History & Culture, Law & Politics
Page Count: 576
Audiobook Length: 18 hours and 37 minutes
Audiobook Narrator: Eliza Foss
ISBN: 9780670025190
Publisher’s Description
The New York Times bestselling biography of the conservatives’ favorite Founding Father by a leading figure in today’s Republican party—A New York Times bestseller hailed as “the best single-volume bio of Madison that we now have.”—Gordon Wood, New York Times Book Review
A major new biography of the fourth U.S. president, from New York Times–bestselling author Lynne Cheney
James Madison was a true genius of the early republic, the leader who did more than any other to create the nation we know today. This majestic new biography tells his story.
Outwardly reserved, Madison was the intellectual driving force behind the Constitution. His visionary political philosophy—eloquently presented in the Federalist Papers—was a crucial factor behind the Constitution’s ratification, and his political savvy was of major importance in getting the new government underway. As secretary of state under Thomas Jefferson, he managed the Louisiana Purchase, doubling the size of the United States. As president, Madison led the country in its first war under the Constitution, the War of 1812. Without precedent to guide him, he would demonstrate that a republic could defend its honor and independence while remaining true to its young constitution.
About the Author
Lynne Cheney is an American author, scholar, and former talk show host. She is married to the 46th vice president of the United States, Dick Cheney, and served as the second lady of the United States from 2001 to 2009.
Cheney was born and raised in Casper, Wyoming. She earned a degree in English literature from Colorado College in 1964 and a PhD in 19th-century British literature from the University of Wisconsin–Madison in 1970. She taught English at Colorado College and the University of Wyoming before moving to Washington, D.C., in 1975 to work for the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH).
Cheney served as chairman of the NEH from 1986 to 1993, during which time she oversaw a major expansion of the agency’s programs and funding. She also served as a consultant to the Library of Congress and as a visiting scholar at the American Enterprise Institute.
Cheney is the author of twelve books, including six bestsellers about American history for children. She has also written a memoir, Blue Skies, No Fences (2004). Her books have been translated into more than a dozen languages and have sold millions of copies worldwide.
Cheney is a frequent speaker on American history and culture. She has hosted the PBS series Smithsonian World and The American Experience, and she has narrated several documentaries, including the award-winning The Civil War.
Cheney is a member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences and the American Philosophical Society. She has received numerous awards for her work, including the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the National Humanities Medal, and the NEH’s Charles Frankel Prize.
Cheney is a highly respected scholar and public intellectual. She is known for her deep knowledge of American history, her clear and engaging writing style, and her commitment to promoting civic education.