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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Really long, but good to read if before you see the musical.
Never knew that much about Hamilton, really enjoyed the book
In depth view of Hamilton but better yet, the story of the creation of a Nation from the point of view of the least celebrated major founding father. The evolving of the two party system is reviewed in enlightening detail.
Overly pedantic.
Wantedso badly to finish, but too detailed when describing war and battles. Just couldn’t finish; too academic forms.
Best Bio of Great American!
This gave me such an understanding of Hamilton! It was also a timely read – it helped me to realize that politics were always ugly – that isn’t new! I enjoyed the book very much!
An educational look at this amazing man. His contributions to our infant country are incalculable. The writing is skillful enough to hold one’s interest and keeps the reader engaged to want to find out what happens next.
Every American should read this book. Alexander Hamilton was one of the most important founding fathers and had more influence on the drafting and ratification of our Constitution than anybody. Before and after his death in a duel, he was demonized by Jefferson and the Republicans who opposed his nation founding ideas that has led America to become one of the greatest countries in history. I read 65 to 80 books a year and this was one of the best books I have ever read.
If your going to see the play Hamilton, read this book.
A marathon read. But, so thought provoking and informative. Divisive political opinions have been with us forever it seems.
It takes about 300 pages to get into this incredible, well researched history of the American Revolution and the basis of everything that has come after in our history. You may groan when you see its length, but I have never had an educationI experience like this in my lifetime. I’m so glad our book club chose this book and gave us four months to read it. It actually becomes an obse.ssion if you are patient and thirsty for knowledge.
I didn’t know how much I didn’t know about Hamilton!
Chernow’s biography of Alexander Hamilton is a remarkable work for two main reasons: first, it is exhaustively detailed with references and quotes from many desparate sources, and second, Chernow’s masterful writing style which weaves the material into a cogent, intelligent and realistic portrait of a remarkable man and true hero of the American Revolution.
It was an excellent historical piece about one of my favorite early American characters.
Interesting history
Great WORD builder!
It is taking me forever to read it. Very long book. Having worked for Colonial Williamsburg back in the 1960s — and having read many history books, I thought I was fairly well-informed about our founding fathers. This book has a surprise a page and gives a more northern view of the early days, whereas most of my information was from a southern view. So many similarities the so many things I have experienced since I became an eligible voter in 1954.
A fascinating glimps into the inception of the United States, the fiery politics, and the achievements of Alexander Hamilton.
Great story of an incredible character