Finished the James Madison bio recently. Very well done, really brings life to how precarious the republic was/is. Madison comes across as purpose driven and very able to change course within his perspective of the Constitutional framework to protect liberty and the republic.

Pick it up and learn about the man - given as namesake for the university! It also really helps put in perspective the highs and lows that come with being passionate and involved. Plus it really helps give perspective to how silly some of our rants can be.

Go Dukes!

I've read a lot about James Madison. At 5'4" or so, he still would have put a foot up John Alger's ass and broken off half his leg.

Any particular title you recommend? There are a few out there.

(07-27-2014 09:41 PM)Dante Wrote:  Any particular title you recommend? There are a few out there.

Sorry - I was referring to James Madison: A Life Reconsidered.

Also recommend Thomas Jefferson: The Art of Power (just started this but a good read so far).

Thomas Jefferson was highly involved in the slave trade and had several children that way and was just a disgusting human being all around so frankly, although I was forced to read some of his rhetoric at JMU, that guy disgusts me and I don't give a **** about what he had to say about anything.

I've been meaning to start a thread about this....has anybody read the Ketcham biography?

(07-27-2014 10:09 PM)DoubleDDuke Wrote:  Thomas Jefferson was highly involved in the slave trade and had several children that way and was just a disgusting human being all around so frankly, although I was forced to read some of his rhetoric at JMU, that guy disgusts me and I don't give a **** about what he had to say about anything.

Madison grew up in a slave holding family, owned slaves all his life and didn't free them in his will. Washington owned a ton of slaves but freed his. Heck, 8 of the 1st 10 presidents owned slaves.

(07-27-2014 10:09 PM)DoubleDDuke Wrote:  Thomas Jefferson was highly involved in the slave trade and had several children that way and was just a disgusting human being all around so frankly, although I was forced to read some of his rhetoric at JMU, that guy disgusts me and I don't give a **** about what he had to say about anything.

You've got to be kidding, right?

One of my old history profs (Arndt) recommended Ketcham's biography of Madison to me earlier this summer. He felt that Rutland and Ketcham's were the best two bios.

(07-28-2014 08:44 AM)Purple Pilgrim Wrote:  One of my old history profs (Arndt) recommended Ketcham's biography of Madison to me earlier this summer. He felt that Rutland and Ketcham's were the best two bios.

Chris Arndt. HIST 395. Great class, really taught me how to WRITE.

Agreed w post one..im in the middle of the new bio (by lynn cheney) and its really good

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(07-28-2014 10:11 AM)madizoned-level2004 Wrote:  

(07-28-2014 08:44 AM)Purple Pilgrim Wrote:  One of my old history profs (Arndt) recommended Ketcham's biography of Madison to me earlier this summer. He felt that Rutland and Ketcham's were the best two bios.

Chris Arndt. HIST 395. Great class, really taught me how to WRITE.

I took it either my freshman or sophomore year and it taught me that I needed to put more thought into picking a thesis. Dr. Arndt is a great guy, however. And one of the few still left that I had at JMU.

(07-28-2014 12:15 PM)Purple Pilgrim Wrote:  

(07-28-2014 10:11 AM)madizoned-level2004 Wrote:  

(07-28-2014 08:44 AM)Purple Pilgrim Wrote:  One of my old history profs (Arndt) recommended Ketcham's biography of Madison to me earlier this summer. He felt that Rutland and Ketcham's were the best two bios.

Chris Arndt. HIST 395. Great class, really taught me how to WRITE.

I took it either my freshman or sophomore year and it taught me that I needed to put more thought into picking a thesis. Dr. Arndt is a great guy, however. And one of the few still left that I had at JMU.

I think I had him, how long has he been there?

(07-28-2014 06:18 PM)JMUDunk Wrote:  

(07-28-2014 12:15 PM)Purple Pilgrim Wrote:  

(07-28-2014 10:11 AM)madizoned-level2004 Wrote:  

(07-28-2014 08:44 AM)Purple Pilgrim Wrote:  One of my old history profs (Arndt) recommended Ketcham's biography of Madison to me earlier this summer. He felt that Rutland and Ketcham's were the best two bios.

Chris Arndt. HIST 395. Great class, really taught me how to WRITE.

I took it either my freshman or sophomore year and it taught me that I needed to put more thought into picking a thesis. Dr. Arndt is a great guy, however. And one of the few still left that I had at JMU.

I think I had him, how long has he been there?

At least since '91. He used to have a big helmet of brown hair - now has a big helmet of gray hair.

James Madison, the pride of King George, Va.!

I just finished Richard Brookhiser's Biography of James Madison. It does not get boged down in tangential details, but it uses many primary sources, tells a good story and is short when compared to other biographies. If your looking for a brief overview of Madison, this is a good read.