Madison took his place in our infant nation, among his peers. This book places the person that he was, appropriately among my readings of other founders of the USA. I knew what others thought of him. Now I know what history thinks of the person, not just the Legend.Other reviews have dealt with the shortcomings of the author and the subject. Suffice it to say, perhaps the author couldn't give more of an account of Madison's personality because there wasn't a lot of personality there or perhaps Madison's paper trail didn't deal in his personality. Like modern politicians, Madison often acted in the moment, with what he had available at the time; even when it contradicted his earlier direction.I didn't want just a list of his accomplishments and I believe that I got more than that. I wanted to know how his life told his story from the inside instead of what other contemporaries have told me of him in their biographies. James Madison wasn't a great speaker or storyteller. He was, however, a great thinker and writer. I think that this book does its best to explain the life of a person whose nature was not to tell his personal thoughts.Ask him about the union and the constitution and he'll tell you. Ask him about his favorite dessert and you probably won't get a response. He liked to pick his fights and prioritizing those that he felt he could give the best account of himself. He avoided those that he couldn't win.Good Read!