The #1 New York Times bestseller, and the inspiration for the hit Broadway musical Hamilton!Pulitzer Prize-winning author Ron Chernow presents a landmark biography of Alexander Hamilton, the Founding Father who galvanized, inspired, scandalized, and shaped the newborn nation.“Grand-scale biography at its best—thorough, insightful, consistently fair, and superbly written . . . A genuinely great … fair, and superbly written . . . A genuinely great book.” —David McCullough
“A robust full-length portrait, in my view the best ever written, of the most brilliant, charismatic and dangerous founder of them all.” —Joseph Ellis
Few figures in American history have been more hotly debated or more grossly misunderstood than Alexander Hamilton. Chernow’s biography gives Hamilton his due and sets the record straight, deftly illustrating that the political and economic greatness of today’s America is the result of Hamilton’s countless sacrifices to champion ideas that were often wildly disputed during his time. “To repudiate his legacy,” Chernow writes, “is, in many ways, to repudiate the modern world.” Chernow here recounts Hamilton’s turbulent life: an illegitimate, largely self-taught orphan from the Caribbean, he came out of nowhere to take America by storm, rising to become George Washington’s aide-de-camp in the Continental Army, coauthoring The Federalist Papers, founding the Bank of New York, leading the Federalist Party, and becoming the first Treasury Secretary of the United States.Historians have long told the story of America’s birth as the triumph of Jefferson’s democratic ideals over the aristocratic intentions of Hamilton. Chernow presents an entirely different man, whose legendary ambitions were motivated not merely by self-interest but by passionate patriotism and a stubborn will to build the foundations of American prosperity and power. His is a Hamilton far more human than we’ve encountered before—from his shame about his birth to his fiery aspirations, from his intimate relationships with childhood friends to his titanic feuds with Jefferson, Madison, Adams, Monroe, and Burr, and from his highly public affair with Maria Reynolds to his loving marriage to his loyal wife Eliza. And never before has there been a more vivid account of Hamilton’s famous and mysterious death in a duel with Aaron Burr in July of 1804.
Chernow’s biography is not just a portrait of Hamilton, but the story of America’s birth seen through its most central figure. At a critical time to look back to our roots, Alexander Hamilton will remind readers of the purpose of our institutions and our heritage as Americans.
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One of the better books on Hamilton
This was boring, the writer was long-winded. I read a lot of historical biographies, especially about people from the American Revolution, but i am sorry i even started to read this one. Reading the footnotes made the book more boring. I once started another book by the same author and had the same experience.
The book is very informative and creates a far greater appreciation for Hamilton than any history book I ever read. That said it has A LOT of detail. Unless you are a real history buff these details can weigh you down, especially in the last third.
amazing story of a great man who achieved so much despite much adversity…
Like David McCullough, Ron Chernow manages to bring history to life in an entertaining and informative story. Well worth the time to read.
Fantastic! I am. I love reading books that educate me about history. This did not disappoint. Very informative. Brings to life the inner workings of our past government leaders. Certainly brought an appreciation for Alexander Hamilton and all that he did to help establish our system of government. His contributions most certainly need to be acknowledged and taught in our history classes
One of the best history books I have ever read. Looking forward to seeing the play!
Exceptionally good book. It was over 700 pages but it was enjoyable. The Author has a way to tell you so much about Alexander Hamilton and the other people without losing your attention. I only wish that the school history books would be written like that. Very enjoyable, very informative. Highly recommend!
I had the pleasure to read this book just before seeing the show on Broadway. The book is very well-written, educational, and enjoyable. It’s not a fast-read, but it’s worth the time and effort to learn about Hamilton and events and people that shaped our country.
Historical information that is an interesting story about our country. Dedication beyond, an insight into life during that time. Well written and accurate
Best biography I have ever read.
This book is so well written and informative it should be required reading especially in these day when so much of what was fought for is being challenged. I finished it with a deep respect for the “noble experiment” that is the USA. Chernow’s skillful writing is as entertaining as it is educational.
Cited as the source material for the hit Broadway musical, it does not do Chernow justice for the depth and breadth of this intoxicating history of one of the unsung heroes of the founding.
This is a must read because it helps us understand our history with an eye to the future. A must read!
Hamilton comes alive in this biography – well before any Broadway Play appeared.
Even handed and thorough. Incredibly well told. Epic.
One of the very best historical narratives about a pivotal polymath from American Revolution era, himself an immigrant from Nevis Island, Jamaica!