James Madison led one of the most influential and prolific lives in American history; and his story—although all too often overshadowed by his more celebrated contemporaries—is integral to that of the nation. Madison helped to shape our country as perhaps no other Founder: collaborating on the Federalist Papers and the Bill of Rights; resisting government overreach by assembling one of the nation's first political parties (the Republicans; who became today's Democrats); and taking to the battlefield during the War of 1812; becoming the last president to lead troops in combat. In this penetrating biography; eminent historian Richard Brookhiser presents a vivid portrait of the “Father of the Constitution;†an accomplished yet humble statesman who nourished Americans' fledgling liberty and vigorously defended the laws that have preserved it to this day.
#763372 in Books Claire Berlinski 2011-11-08Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 8.25 x 1.13 x 5.50l; .85 #File Name: 0465031218400 pagesThere Is No Alternative Why Margaret Thatcher Matters
Review
0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Iron Solid - This Bio MattersBy Robert LipsitzBerlinski has provided any fan of Thatcher; British History; the 70's and 80s; Politics; or Economics an engaging; intriguing; and fun narrative regarding one of the seminal figures of the 20th century. 

Focusing on the transformative episodes of her Prime Ministership:

-Her strategic planning culminating in her rise to power

-Victory in the Falklands War

-Victory over the trade unions

-Victory over British decline and economic insignificance bordering on basket case status

-Victory over the the Soviet Union

-And interspaced through it all; Thatcher's quieter but no less impressive victories over a pervasive welfare statism mindset; chauvinism; and her quite liberal and frequently doubtful fellow 'conservatives'. 

Berlinski gives us witty analysis; the best anecdotes; the key players in their vernacular (with translation when needed) and even an economic lesson or two thrown in but never dull or esoteric.

No socialist Berlinski (she emphatically states it through the book) yet she consistently and fairly addresses both (and occasionally three) sides of the story. 

As an American I'll never understand the class structure; regions; attitudes and colloquialisms of Britain but thanks to Berlinski's impartial pen I feel I have gained a balanced perspective of the conservative vs. labour vs. liberal vs. and marxist rationale circa 1976-1990 as they vied for control of Britain. 

That Thatcher could masterfully navigate that rich landscape; complicated cultural and ideological milieus to successfully right her foundering ship of state and return HMS Great Britain from the shoals to deep water glory ranks her with only Churchill in Britain and Washington and Lincoln in America in the Pantheon of Great Statesman since the American Revolution. Further consider how the Left in England (via political parties; popular culture and media) still revile her as a testament to what she was up against... Yes Margaret Thatcher was truly a woman who mattered.Clearly Berlinski matters too for providing us this compelling reality in such an easy and enjoyable read.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Explains the Importance of the Iron LadyBy JMGraberJrClaire Berlinski writes an amazing book on Margaret Thatcher's time as prime minister. The book follows in great detail how she conducted her policies and why they were important to save Britain. Berlinski also writes about Thatcher's character and her early life; which help explain why she matters today. Berlinski gives us several transcripts of speeches made by Thatcher; her allies; and opponents. She interviews several people affected by her and the policies she created including businessmen; coal workers; Conservative politicians; and Labour politicians (including Neil Kinnock; the opposition leader to Thatcher's government). Transitions to free market economies from socialist economies are not easy; but they were necessary for the well being of Britain and Berlinski explains why. She goes through Thatcher's foreign policy initiatives including taking back the Falklands (an important move to increase British pride) and her work with President Reagan and General Secretary Gorbachev during the Cold War (she helped bridge the gap and make them do business). Quite an informative read.1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. The Thatcher yearsBy Johan BergerClaire Berlinski has made good use of her connections inside British academia and has dug up much information on 'thatcherism' and the former PM that nobody has heard of nor read..CB visits nearly every source connected to MTs career as Prime Minister and most of her interviewees vent the full gamut of emotion about Mrs T - from admiration and total agreement in all things Thatcher down to sheer anger or even fury.. Visits to the 'clubbable' politicians in London are balanced off with visits to the 1984 coalminers in Yorkshire just as are talks with the head at Balliol College with collaborators of her philosophy outside her inner circle.. Her most striking feature - immense courage in adversity - is shown in detailed letters; speeches and addenda readily shown as the pages fly by for the reader.. The 1970s had brought Britain to its knees and neither the Heath govt. nor those of Wilson and Callahan had shown the courage and know-how as to a political course between dictatorship and democracy in dealing with the nation's problems.. MT was the right person to tackle the conundrum of workers' rights gone astray and civil life to go on inside a British legacy of freedom! Her views on the European Union as it progressed toward ossification is especially interesting; pace her speech at Bruges; Belgium in 1978..CB has assembled all relevant threads to understanding the phenomenon of MT. Thatcher's critics told the author on many occasions that Britain's economic transition was inevitable; but 'she did not plan for it' - precisely the point. If the government plans the economy; it is no longer free---(CB: There Is No Alternative; p. 154; Basic Books; 2008)
