Richard Brookhiser Lecture "James Madison: Father of the Constitution"

Richard Brookhiser, author of the James Madison biography (2013) spoke at the NY Historic Soc on Wed purported to discussion his contribution to the construction of the Constitution and the Bill of Rights.  Brookhiser is a historian, journalist, biographer and Sr. Editor of the Nat'l Review.  Pres George W Bush awarded him the Nat'l Humanitarian Medal in 2008.  I was looking forward to a stimulating talk on Adams' significant role in drafting the Bill of Rights at the Continental Congress in 1789.  I was disappointed by an arcane lecture that rambled through history starting with the Magna Carter.  Adams' role in arguing to establish a Bill of Rights was not made clear.  Consider that the Bill of Rights were amended to the Constitution more than a decade after the original signing.  Brookhiser mentioned that Adams was reluctant to argue for the Bill of Rights & needed prodding from Jefferson & Hamilton.  Hmmm…. I was intrigued but disgruntled that forthcoming knowledge Adams' at reluctance & what exactly were his major contributions.  The points Brookhiser emphasized pertained to warrants, trial by peers and the disavowal of double jeopardy.  However I found the lecture confusing, rambling & dull.  (Although more exciting than the majority of seniors sleeping through the talk.)  The Q&A was inane & gratuitous, except for a question pertaining to the 2nd Amendment which was pushed aside.  Jon Meacham recently spoke on Pres G W Bush, facilitated by David Rubinstein it was fascinating.  I look forward to hearing Bryan Stevenson speak in February.  But, I'm going to think twice before purchasing another $38 ticket in the series of American History at the NY Historic Society.  And, I'm not buying Brookhiser's book on Adams.