Perhaps one of the most telling details of this juvenile biography of Dolley Madison is how much time authors Holly C. Shulman and David B. Mattern spend filling in the historical gaps. This should not really be surprising since historical records from the 18th-century would be relatively sparse, especially with regards to a young girl born in North Carolina and raised in Virginia by obscure parents. The early chapters of this book do their best to fashion a reasonable narrative out of these limited details, but I would not be surprised if young readers picked up on how this biography is quite different from those they would read about more contemporary figures, First Ladies or otherwise. If they do not learn a lot about Dolley Madison from this book, then the reason may well be that there is decidedly less primary historical material about her to use as the basis for a book.

This book begins by noting that Dolley Madison, whose first name is often misspelled, is remembered for saving Gilbert Stuart's painting of George Washington when the British burned the Executive Mansion in the War of 1812 (the building was not known as the White House until after it was repaired and repainted), and is most recognizable as being the name under which cakes have been sold. However, Shulman and Mattern ultimately consider Madison important because she created the model for every First Lady who came after her. Unfortunately, the examples of Dolley Madison as the exemplary Washington hostess is based on very few specific, historical examples. The glowing terms in which she was honored in obituaries after her death speak more to the point than any story told in the biography, especially when the most memorable example of a Washington social party would be the "Merry Affair" during Jefferson's Administration, in which Dolley Madison was but a bystander. Still, even with this limited array of anecdotes, the authors do convey a sense for how what Dolley Madison did was both different and of some importance when compared to what had come before in terms of setting a tone for how things were done in the capital of a still rather new nation.

In many ways the illustrations and letters accompanying the text are the most interesting part of the this book, especially since Dolley Madison lived long enough to have a photograph taken by Matthew Brady, which preserved for posterity her natural smile and the twinkle in her eyes (both are omnipresent in all of her portraits as well, but there is just something about seeing an actual photograph). There are reproductions of letters written by both Dolley and her husband James "the great little Madison" along with historic paintings of the various figures encountered in the biography as well as contemporary photographs of some of the places the Madisons lived. One of the letters shown is from James Madison to Thomas Jefferson and is written partially in code (oh, those wacky Founding Fathers) and expressive concerns about the new Senate taking on too aristocratic a tone in its proceedings. The production values on this volume, which is part of The Library of American Lives and Times, are quite impressive. Other titles in this series look at Davy Crockett, Alexander Hamilton and Phillis Wheatley, and all feature the distinctive cover design of a historic portrait of their subject layered over a historic scene from their life (in Dolley Madison's case, the British troops torching the Executive Mansion).

Garry Wills' Explaining America - The Federalist (1982) presents civics as I never learned it in high school. Wills is probably better known for more recent books (e.g. Lincoln at Gettysburg), or his coverage of the 1988 Presidential campaign. There is substance here - a detailed consideration of the context in which Alexander Hamilton and James Madison wrote The Federalist Papers, and their understanding of how the government would work under the Constitution. [Some of this conceptual framework was re-presented in A Necessary Evil.] The preface identifies this to be volume 2 of a 4-book series on the foundations of the U.S. government. I have been unable to locate the promised volumes 3&4, on the Constitution itself, and on the Supreme Court.

Wills opens with an exposition of Hamilton's & Madison's similarities & differences. He then focuses on two specific papers (of 85): Number 10, "Representation", and Number 51 "Checks and Balances". He elucidates the Scottish Enlightenment as the source of many of the most important ideas, such as separation of powers, checks and balances, and public virtue. Most interesting are the explanations that the authors of the Constitution gave as to how they expected it to work, which is not at all how it has worked out: representatives would exhibit public virtue (meaning that they would place the interest of the whole above the factional or party interest) because of distillation; political parties would not exist because they would be unnecessary; the primary (in fact, only) check on legislative tyranny would be the bicameral arrangement; the executive and judicial branches would be weak and relatively unable to resist legislative dominance.

Unfortunately, the book is not as accessible as Wills' more recent works (wordy with obscure details in spots). Perhaps this is due in part to comparative familiarity. Most of us have never really spent a lot of time on Constitutional law, nor read much of the original writings of the founding fathers, nor their intellectual forebears, such as Hume & Locke. But for purposes of understanding the founders' original intent, its applicability in today's world, this book provides significant insight. It is valuable precisely for the reason that we are unfamiliar with how & why the Constitution structured our government as it is.

Having enjoyed the fruits of our Federal Republic for over two centuries, we may be lulled into taking it for granted. Conversely, viewing a world abounding with tyrannies, dysfunctional nations, and failed states, we might look to the founders of the U.S. government for wisdom. Here we find that they struggled to integrate widely varied visions and concepts, compromised extensively, and produced a government that succeeded beyond their expectations for reasons fundamentally at odds from their understanding. Perhaps the only shortcoming of this book is that this crucial topic - success for reasons differing from the founding fathers' understanding - is not explored in depth.

Few books have treated this topic, Madison and Washington's collaboration, and this is an excellent treatment. Unravelling the waxing and waning of this relationship serves well those interested in the Federalist Era. The scholarship is obvious, and the presentaion is good. Those interested in the unfoldings of the Republic must pay attention to the Father of the Country, and his relationship to the Father of the Constituion. Liebiger allows an enormous view of Washington's dignity as a statesman, and Madison's erudition in the realm of Constituion building, amongst other federalist era realtionships, this collaboration was as crucial as any, and a topic long overdue.

This is an excellent book. I needed a book that looked at NASCAR in a sociological point of view and this was the answer to my prayer. It gives a very good description of the history of NASCAR Winston Cup. If you are looking for a book about NASCAR Winston Cup Series and its history, then I strongly recommend this one. Enjoy reading.

Madison has masterfully woven the nuances of relationship evolution into her first-person narrative. After having the abortion Karen says, "But I wept. I cried as if I would never stop. I wept for me, I wept for Martha and Ross, I wept for Steve whom I'd never see again, and I wept for his sad grandfather, I wept for everyone, but mostly for the tiny life that had just been snuffed out" (p. 167).

Winifred Madison does not moralize, proselytize, or judge in this novel. She ends on a hopeful note -- Karen is not only closer to her mother, she is closer to her little sister too, and she has learned something about life and herself.

This biography by Willam Rives is essential to comprehending the massive, and understated contribution of James Madison. The dominance of writing, concerning the 1790s, seems to center on a Hamilton v Jefferson scenario. Through these pages, the recent efforts by Rosen, and others to revive the Madisonian logic, gains new merit and weight. The massive contribution of Madison, as architect, defender, and executor of the Constitution, is revealed, by a partisan, of Madisonian thought. Campebell Rives's speech before the 22nd Congress 2nd session, remains one of the most outstanding reflections of original intent of the framers concerning State v National powers in our history, which bolstered by his proximity to Madison, should be read by anyone seriously considering the issue. An outstanding must, for anyone who seriously wishes to comprehend the issue of federalism.

This book is a dignified piece of historical writing. Although it is long, it manages to be significant throughout. The personality profiles are interesting, the battle descriptions are gripping, and the political analysis is acute. Before reading this volume (and its companion), I did not realize how pivotal the events of this era were in shaping the rest of 19th century US. Recommended to those with time to ponder, especially if they are fond of Adams' writing style.

This book consisted of numerous examples of design that were great inspiration.

Jackson, Tennessee (Madison County) is located ninty miles east of Memphis; a rail, distribution and agricultural center for Western Tennessee.

Settled in the late 1700's-early 1800's; this area produced Davey Crockett, many Civil War heroes, Casey Jones, and Carl Perkins.

A wonderful look at a fine quality-of-life area that has grown from "small town" to the fifth largest city in Tennessee.

Emma Inman Williams was not only a shepherd of the book but a layer of the city's foundation.

I knew her and loved her.

I was pleasantly surprised by this book. A nice mix of day and evening wear at the turn of the 19th century and good likenesses. It was also great to see a paper doll (Dolley Madison) who wasn't reed thin! A minor criticism would be that the color occaisionally seems clumsily applied, but overall a great book.