I know you get a lot of e-mail and hope you'll forgive this intrusion.

I am pleased to announce that the paperback edition of my book, “James Madison and the Struggle for the Bill of Rights,” has just been published by Oxford University Press.  (The hardcover has been in print since 2006).  The book is part of Oxford's "Pivotal Moments in American History" series.

The book tells the incredible story of how the shy and sickly Madison overcame one obstacle after another to see the Bill of Rights become part of the Constitution.  Few people know how close we came to not having those amendments.

The book has generated positive comments and reviews from George Will, Garry Wills, Gordon Wood, the New York Times, the Washington Post, Esquire, and other media outlets.

Professors in history and other fields have assigned it to classes.  (The paperback is $15.95; about $12 on Amazon).

You can learn more about it here:  www.richardlabunski.com

The 336-page book has 35 illustrations, including portraits, newspaper articles, documents, letters, and other materials.  (The Web site has some of those illustrations and other educational materials that can be used in classes).

It is especially timely now that the Fourth of July is almost here.

If I may, a personal note:

One of the greatest pleasures that has come from writing the book was the chance to meet people like Brent Tarter at the Library of Virginia, the staff at the Virginia Historical Society (where I did a Mellon research fellowship) and others who are so knowledgeable about Virginia history and the founding period.  Brent read the manuscript before it went to Oxford, and his comments were invaluable.

I also enjoyed the public appearances in Virginia:  Giving a Banner Lecture at VHS on a 100-degree August day when 300 people came to hear me talk about Madison; giving an address in the "Dome Room" of the Rotunda at UVa; talking to teachers from around the country at Stratford Hall as part of the Monticello-Stratford seminar series; and talking to students and faculty at James Madison University on Constitution Day.

The most meaningful moment to me was the chance to speak last fall at the "Evening at Montpelier" event, where more than one hundred people came to Madison's home to hear me talk about how the Bill of Rights was added to the Constitution.  It was great to meet so many people who are excited about history and so well-informed about Madison and his legacy, and to do so at Madison's estate.

Thank you for your interest.

Richard Labunski

Professor Richard Labunski
School of Journalism and Telecommunications
144 Grehan Building
University of Kentucky
Lexington, KY 40506-0042
(859) 257-5719
www.richardlabunski.com

______________________________________
To subscribe, change options, or unsubscribe please see the instructions at
http://listlva.lib.va.us/archives/va-hist.html