Madison's Gift: Five Partnerships That Built America By David O. Stewart 433 pp. $28 Simon and Schuster

As the jacket flap for this book notes, its subject was "Short, plain, balding, neither soldier nor orator, low on charisma and high on intelligence. [He] cared more about achieving results than taking the credit."

And even though James Madison served as the fourth U.S. President for two terms, spearheaded both the drafting and passage of the U.S. Constitution and Bill of Rights, and led the country through the War of 1812, he is somewhat of a "lost" founding father.

Madison's legacy is often overshadowed by men history has deemed more bold, dashing and heroic such as George Washington, Alexander Hamilton, Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Franklin and even John Adams.

Historical author Stewart (The Summer of 1787, American Emperor) argues here that it's time for James Madison to come out of the corner of U.S. history to take due credit (and for more than just the namesake of New York's Madison Avenue...) for his accomplishments.

And, as he preferred to blend his talents with those of others rather than push them alone, Stewart shows how Madison's key partnerships with five individuals helped forge this country at a time when the whole American Experiment could have gone to hell and we'd all be speaking with British accents and taking high tea at noon now.

With Alexander Hamilton, he pushed for ratification of the U.S. Constitution. And under pseudonyms, the pair wrote the vast majority of the Federalist Papers.

The 80+ essays totaling 190,000 words appeared in pamphlets and newspapers were sheer propaganda for the Constitution's passage. But their arguments were so compelling and precise, they not only succeeded in their immediate goal, but tenets and language are still quoted and used today by a wide variety of political interests.

With George Washington, Madison worked for the connection of the Potomac and Ohio rivers, opening travel and commerce to U.S. western lands. And most important, the passage of the Bill of Rights.

Madison actively courted the at-first wary Washington. And in their relationship, Madison found an ally of unimpeachable stature as they formed the basis of early government. They also secured placement the U.S. Capitol near the Potomac -- in no small part because it was near Washington's Mount Vernon home.

With Thomas Jefferson, Stewart says, Madison found his closest match in terms of idealism, political instincts and personal interests. The two bibliophiles would eagerly share reading lists and crow about their latest rare acquisitions both in the United States and from abroad.