
James Madison and the Struggle for the Bill of Rights
Failed to add items
Add to Cart failed.
Add to Wish List failed.
Remove from wishlist failed.
Adding to library failed
Follow podcast failed
Unfollow podcast failed
3 months free
Buy for $21.49
No default payment method selected.
We are sorry. We are not allowed to sell this product with the selected payment method
-
Narrated by:
-
Richard Poe
-
By:
-
Richard Labunski
Richard Labunski offers a dramatic account of a time when the entire American experiment hung in the balance, only to be saved by the most unlikely of heroes, the diminutive and exceedingly shy James Madison. Here is a vividly written account of not one, but several major political struggles that changed the course of American history.
Labunski takes us inside the sweltering converted theater in Richmond, where for three grueling weeks, the soft-spoken Madison and the charismatic Patrick Henry fought over whether Virginia should ratify the Constitution. The stakes were enormous. If Virginia voted no, George Washington could not become president, New York might follow suit and reject the Constitution, and the young nation would be thrust into political chaos. But Madison won the day by a handful of votes, mollifying Anti-Federalist fears by promising to add a bill of rights to the Constitution.
To do this, Madison would have to win a seat in the First Congress. Labunski shows how the vengeful Henry prevented Madison's appointment to the Senate and then used his political power to ensure that Madison would run against his good friend, Revolutionary War hero James Monroe, in a House district teeming with political enemies. Overcoming great odds, Madison won by a few hundred votes, allowing him to attend the First Congress and sponsor the Bill of Rights.
Packed with colorful details about life in early America, this compelling and important narrative is the first serious book about Madison written in many years. It will return this under-appreciated patriot to his rightful place among the Founding Fathers and shed new light on a key turning point in our nation's history.
The “Pivotal Moments in American History” series seeks to unite the old and the new history, combining the insights and techniques of recent historiography with the power of traditional narrative. Each title has a strong narrative arc with drama, irony, suspense, and – most importantly – great characters who embody the human dimension of historical events. The general editors of “Pivotal Moments” are not just historians; they are popular writers themselves, and, in two cases, Pulitzer Prize winners: David Hackett Fischer, James M. McPherson, and David Greenberg. We hope you like your American History served up with verve, wit, and an eye for the telling detail!
©2006 Richard Labunski (P)2006 Recorded Books, LLC.Listeners also enjoyed...




















Critic reviews
"Engaging....A lively look at the rickety early republic and Madison's great balancing act." (Publishers Weekly)
People who viewed this also viewed...

Very good reading throughout.
Excellent story of an under-appreciated Founding Father
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
Excellent, but slightly diminished by bias
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
The chapter in American history when the Constitution was ratified was obviously pivotal, but all of the historical "what if?" discussion is ultimately fruitless. The author should have spent more time on the actual importance of the bill of rights. Amazingly, for such a long book he never finds time for even a cursory review of the actual bill of rights. Some amendments are discussed as they come up but the coverage is surprisingly sparse.
Overall, the book is accurate and provides insight into the ratification of the Constitution and later the bill of rights. However, the writing is very dry and repetitive and he spends too much time talking about Patrick Henry and the other anti-federalists.
The performance goes a long way to improve the subject, but the narrator can only do so much.
Overlong and underinteresting
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
Would you say that listening to this book was time well-spent? Why or why not?
The big picture information was great. But the author went into too much detail. This is the only book I have listened to at 3x speed.How would you have changed the story to make it more enjoyable?
Reduce the amount of detail. It is not necessary to know the detailed weather, clothing, etc. to understand that transportation and communication were difficult in the 1700's.Did James Madison and the Struggle for the Bill of Rights inspire you to do anything?
Appreciate the work that went into giving us a constitution that has lasted longer than most since its development.Suggest the abridged version
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
American History is All of a Sudden Interesting!
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
What did you love best about James Madison and the Struggle for the Bill of Rights?
The ongoing description of the conflicts between Madison and Patrick HenryWho was your favorite character and why?
Madison himself because of his willingness to risk everything to establish the ConstitutionWhich scene was your favorite?
The First Congress and the accounts of the oppressive weather conditions and the description of Federal Hall in New YorkDid you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?
The manner in which so many dedicated themselves to the establishment of the Constitution and their love for their new country did move me to tears on several occasions.Any additional comments?
This book, and its powerful narration by Richard Poe, filled in many of the gaps in my understanding of the effort to add the Bill of Rights to the Constitution. I found it very entertaining.Insightful and Compelling
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
Was hoping for more.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
Watching Paint Dry...
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
Early politics
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
Learned a lot, but lacking important info
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.