Signer, Michael

A difficult, often dense read, but a valuable case study for civic government and ethics collections.

This is less of a biography than an important study of the intellectual and psychological development of a young Madison who believed that leaders should forsake self-interest in promoting the common good. Signer urges contemporary politicians to emulate him. For readers interested in Constitutional history and in understanding the political philosophy of the Father of the Constitution and Fourth president of the United States.