“An edge-of my sear immersion into historical events…No study of Alexander Hamilton would be complete without reading this book.” —Karen White, New York Times bestselling author“The best book of the year!” —Kate Quinn, New York Times bestselling author of The Alice NetworkWife, Widow, and Warrior in Alexander Hamilton’s quest for a more perfect unionFrom the New York Times bestselling authors … Hamilton’s quest for a more perfect union
From the New York Times bestselling authors of America’s First Daughter comes the epic story of Eliza Schuyler Hamilton—a revolutionary woman who, like her new nation, struggled to define herself in the wake of war, betrayal, and tragedy. Perfect for fans of Ron Chernow’s biography Alexander Hamilton and fans of Lin-Manuel Miranda’s Hamilton: the Musical.
In this haunting, moving, and beautifully written novel, Dray and Kamoie used thousands of letters and original sources to tell Eliza’s story as it’s never been told before—not just as the wronged wife at the center of a political sex scandal—but also as a founding mother who shaped an American legacy in her own right.
A general’s daughter…
Coming of age on the perilous frontier of revolutionary New York, Elizabeth Schuyler champions the fight for independence. And when she meets Alexander Hamilton, Washington’s penniless but passionate aide-de-camp, she’s captivated by the young officer’s charisma and brilliance. They fall in love, despite Hamilton’s bastard birth and the uncertainties of war.
A founding father’s wife…
But the union they create—in their marriage and the new nation—is far from perfect. From glittering inaugural balls to bloody street riots, the Hamiltons are at the center of it all—including the political treachery of America’s first sex scandal, which forces Eliza to struggle through heartbreak and betrayal to find forgiveness.
The last surviving light of the Revolution…
When a duel destroys Eliza’s hard-won peace, the grieving widow fights her husband’s enemies to preserve Alexander’s legacy. But long-buried secrets threaten everything Eliza believes about her marriage and her own legacy. Questioning her tireless devotion to the man and country that have broken her heart, she’s left with one last battle—to understand the flawed man she married and imperfect union he could never have created without her…
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I really enjoyed this book. It was informative and a page turner. I also learned a lot about Mrs. Hamilton . I knew very little about her.
I had to keep reminding myself this was fiction. The spot on accuracy of much of the details (the authors confess to using poetic license to shift some details around) gives it a sense of realism. How these times were so much like our own! My husband is reading Chernow’s Hamilton so it gave us many interesting discussion points.
To get a grasp of what really went down during the beginning of this country, I recommend this book!
I learned so much about the early years of the US. Great character development. It also provided a wonderful backdrop before seeing the musical Hamilton.
Excellent keep my interest cover to cover
Inspired me to read more about women in history
I wanted to read this book after seeing the musical Hamilton on Disney. I wanted to learn more about Eliza Hamilton and her efforts to support not only her husband but also the other heroes of the American Revolution. It was written from her viewpoint in an engaging style and I learned many things about the people behind the Revolution!
I understand this is historical fiction, but it seems much more fiction than historical
I read a lot of historical fiction and this book gave an original perspective from the wife of this tragic figure. It seemed like an honest view of such a complex relationship.
If you are thinking about tackling Hamilton, read this first. Although it’s fiction, it will really help set the stage for Hamilton. Well researched, well written, great read.
Very powerfully written, commanding voice
My Dear Hamilton: A Novel of Eliza Schuyler Hamilton by Stephanie Dray and Laura Kamoie, is an epic story written in the voice of Alexander Hamilton’s wife.
The novel covers the period of 1777 through 1837. Elizabeth Schuyler, the daughter of a general, grows up in colonial North America during the American Revolution. When she meets a young officer, Alexander Hamilton, she’s captivated by his charisma and brilliance and falls in love despite his perceived shameful bastard birth and the uncertainties of war.
Elizabeth, or Eliza, as she prefers to be called, finds herself in the thick of war, ugly politics, even scandal. Hamilton is revered by many, but also has powerful political enemies. The Hamiltons joyfully celebrate the inauguration of George Washington, the nation’s first president. The two main political parties of the day are the Federalists, President Washington’s party, created largely by Alexander Hamilton, and the rival Republican party, formed by Thomas Jefferson and James Madison.
The Hamiltons have several children and Eliza works hard as a wife and mother. Although many in high office have slaves, the Hamiltons firmly believe in the concept of the Constitution, that all men are created equal, applies to all, including slaves and women. They believe slavery is cruel, a sin against God, and a betrayal to the principles of the revolution. Eliza not only makes due with their meager finances, she helps her husband with his speeches and social obligations. They have a loving and supportive marriage.
When a sex scandal encroaches her own home, Eliza struggles through heartbreak and betrayal to find forgiveness. She is a strong woman, a woman of passion and principles. Eliza finds the strength to face the humiliation, the gossip mongers, the cruel newspaper accusations. Eliza is an inspiration, an American legacy in her own right.
My Dear Hamilton is a large volume—672 pages—that held my fascinated attention throughout. I learned so much about the attitudes and conditions of our nation’s early years. Alexander Hamilton was a remarkable man. He fought and helped win a war, raising to the rank of general. He was instrumental in building a federal government. He created a coast guard, a national bank, and devised a scheme of taxation that held the states together. He was brilliant, but flawed, as Eliza was to learn. I loved reading about our country’s early days and I appreciate even more what it took to establish our great nation.
The narrator was annoying and self centered. I found it irritating.
I found this book very interesting and informative: the background and history from the distaff side was credible and riveting. Fascinating to see how the lives of our founding fathers were entertwined and their personalities revealed. I highly recommend this book and found it well written.
We know the HIStory. This is the HERstory, and I both couldn’t wait to get to the end and hated getting there at the same time. She is believable, and the author puts us into a time and place that is unforgettable. This piece of America will never be the same.
Eliza Hamilton assumes her rightful place as one of America’s founding mothers as she guides first her husband and then her fledgling nation into the annals of history. My Dear Hamilton is historical fiction at its most addictive!
For lovers of historical fiction, this is a must.
It was a different history of Alexander Hamilton, pretty factual and well written.
I can’t get the rating off. I have not yet read this book.
Story of Alexander Hamilton from his wive’s prospective
Wonderful way to relive history. Highly recommend!