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    Alexander Hamilton
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    Alexander Hamilton
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    Alexander Hamilton
    Ebook1,530 pages27 hours

    Alexander Hamilton

    By Ron Chernow

    4.5/5

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    Currently unavailable

    About this ebook

    ADAPTED INTO THE MAJOR AWARD-WINNING BROADWAY MUSICAL, HAMILTON. Opening in London in November 2017!

    Alexander Hamilton was an illegitimate, largely self-taught orphan from the Caribbean who overcame all the odds to become George Washington's aide-de-camp and the first Treasury Secretary of the United States.

    Few figures in American history are more controversial. In this masterful work, Chernow shows how the political and economic power of America today is the result of Hamilton's willingness to champion ideas that were often wildly disputed during his time. He charts his titanic feuds with Jefferson, Adams, Madison, Monroe and Burr; his highly public affair with Maria Reynolds; his loving marriage to his loyal wife Eliza; and the notorious duel with Aaron Burr that led to his death in July 1804.

    The book was adapted into a hugely successful Broadway musical – winner of 11 Tony awards – which opens at the Victoria Palace Theatre in London in November 2017.

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherHead of Zeus
    Release dateAug 1, 2016
    ISBN9781786690012
    Unavailable
    Alexander Hamilton
    Author

    Ron Chernow

    Ron Chernow is the Pulitzer prize-winning author of Washington: A Life. Alexander Hamilton and Titan: The Life of John D. Rockefeller, Sr were both nominated for the National Book Critics Circle Award in biography. Chernow lives in New York.

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    Reviews for Alexander Hamilton

    4.5/5

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    • 5/5
      Another well researched tome from the master of early American history biography.
    • 3/5
      A completely average biography. Chernow seems to believe that a biographer's goal should be to laud his subject, and to elide or excuse any failings. He almost seems to have been on a dare as to how blatantly he could faun over Hamilton. A reader would not stay sober long if she had a drink every time Chernow contradicted himself within a page or two. For example, right in the middle of describing corrupt schemes and insider trading by some of his immediate subordinates, Chernow writes, "In reality, as soon as he took office, Hamilton established high ethical standards and promulgated a policy that employees could not deal in government securities, setting a critical precedent for America’s civil service." Is Chernow joking? Or again: "Never a martinet, Hamilton did insist on discipline and condoned no lapses. Often, he roamed the camp after dark, surprising sentries at their posts." I still learned a lot, and the biography is very readable and not overlong. > At the outset, Hamilton slipped a technical provision into the convention rules that was a tactical bonanza for the federalists: the Constitution had to be debated clause by clause before a general vote could be taken. It was a masterly stroke. Nobody could vie with Hamilton in close textual analysis, and this step-by-step approach would stall the proceedings, increasing the likelihood that riders from Virginia or New Hampshire would rush in with news that their state had ratified and force New York to follow suit.> Hamilton's opinions were so numerous and his influence so pervasive that most historians regard him as having been something akin to a prime minister. If Washington was head of state, then Hamilton was the head of government, the active force in the administration.> the rift between Hamilton and Madison precipitated the start of the two-party system in America. The funding debate shattered the short-lived political consensus that had ushered in the new government. For the next five years, the political spectrum in America was defined by whether people endorsed or opposed Alexander Hamilton's programs.> Hamilton’s three most savage critics of the 1790s: Jefferson, Madison, and Adams. These founders adhered to a static, archaic worldview that scorned banks, credit, and stock markets. From this perspective, Hamilton was the progressive figure of the era, his critics the conservatives. As members of the Virginia plantation world, Jefferson and Madison had a nearly visceral contempt for market values and tended to denigrate commerce as grubby, parasitic, and degrading> The Whiskey Rebellion had been suppressed, the country's finances flourished, and the investigation into his affairs had ended with a ringing exoneration. He had prevailed in almost every major program he had sponsored—whether the bank, assumption, funding the public debt, the tax system, the Customs Service, or the Coast Guard … He had laid the groundwork for both liberal democracy and capitalism and helped to transform the role of the president from passive administrator to active policy maker, creating the institutional scaffolding for America's future emergence as a great power. He had demonstrated the creative uses of government and helped to weld the states irreversibly into one nation … If Washington was the father of the country and Madison the father of the Constitution, then Alexander Hamilton was surely the father of the American government.> As president, Adams was the nominal head of the Federalists, yet he dreamed of being a nonpartisan president. Hence, he effectively abdicated the role of partisan leader, which Hamilton, with his taste for power, was only too glad to assume.> Everywhere he went, Hamilton conjured up disturbing images of a French-style revolution in America, even telling one listener that it did not matter who became the next president because "he did not expect his head to remain four years longer upon his shoulders unless it was at the head of a victorious army." This sounded like scare talk, but Hamilton actually believed these overblown fantasies of impending Jacobin carnage in America.> Since he had provoked the duel to rehabilitate his career, it did not make sense for him to kill Hamilton. Hamilton calculated (correctly, it turned out) that Burr could not kill him without committing political suicide at the same time.
    • 5/5
      In Alexander Hamilton, Ron Chernow argues, “The saga of [Hamilton’s] metamorphosis from an anguished clerk on St. Croix to the reigning presence in George Washington’s cabinet offers both a gripping personal story and a panoramic view of the formative years of the republic. Except for Washington, nobody stood closer to the center of American politics from 1776 to 1800 or cropped up at more turning points. More than anyone else, the omnipresent Hamilton galvanized, inspired, and scandalized the newborn nation, serving as the flash point for pent-up conflicts of class, geography, race, religion, and ideology” (pg. 4). Further, “If Washington was the father of the country and Madison the father of the Constitution, then Alexander Hamilton was surely the father of the American government” (pg. 481).Discussing Hamilton’s breadth of study and the role he played as Secretary of the Treasury, Chernow writes, “Hamilton’s opinions were so numerous and his influence so pervasive that most historians regard him as having been something akin to a prime minister. If Washington was head of state, then Hamilton was the head of government, the active force in the administration” (pg. 289). Those opinions and Hamilton’s eagerness to express them made political enemies, though. According to Chernow, “The rift between Hamilton and Madison precipitated the start of the two-party system in America. The funding debate shattered the short-lived political consensus that had ushered in the new government. For the next five years, the political spectrum in America was defined by whether people endorsed or opposed Alexander Hamilton’s programs” (pg. 306). Chernow argues that the emergence of the Federalists and Democratic Republicans had less to do with concrete political differences than with the extension of certain individuals’ – Washington, Hamilton, Jefferson, Madison – political power (pg. 392). Hamilton, however, was the most divisive of these since he openly, almost brazenly, proclaimed his opinions, even when they went against the national mood. Chernow writes, “The intellectual spoilsport among the founding fathers, Hamilton never believed in the perfectibility of human nature and regularly violated what became the first commandment of American politics: thou shalt always be optimistic when addressing the electorate” (pg. 627).Chernow chronicles the debates and squabbling in Washington’s cabinet in exacting detail. He writes, “By early July 1797, it was clear that George Washington would not have the option of silence or inaction in stemming the feud between Hamilton and Jefferson. He had probably waited too long to assert control. His fine, nonpartisan stance may have only intensified the partisan mischief between his two appointees” (pg. 402). Further, “The founding fathers all appear to us in two guises: as both sublime and ordinary, selfless and selfish, heroic and humdrum. After the tenuous unity of 1776 and 1787, they had become wildly competitive and sometimes jealous of one another. It is no accident that our most scathing portraits of them come from their own pens” (pg. 405). In discussing Hamilton’s impact on the developing nation, Chernow argues, “Hamilton did not create America’s market economy so much as foster the cultural and legal setting in which it flourished” (pg. 345). He writes of the debate over the eventual location of the federal capital, “The question of the capital served as a proxy for the question of whether America should assume an urban or agrarian character” (pg. 326).One of Chernow’s greatest contributions to Hamilton scholarship is to uncover more about Eliza Hamilton. He writes, “Because Eliza Hamilton was a modest, self-effacing woman who apparently destroyed her own letters and tried to expunge her presence from the history books, the force of her personality and the magnitude of her contribution have been overlooked” (pg. 582). Through Hamilton’s letters, her father’s letters, and mention of her in others’ correspondence, Chernow is able to tell more of Eliza’s story than most previous chroniclers. In focusing on others in Hamilton’s orbit, Chernow draws upon the work of David McCullough. Further, his discussion of the duels that punctuated eighteenth century life relies on the scholarship of Joanne B. Freeman, particularly her monograph, Affairs of Honor: National Politics in the New Republic. His focus on Aaron Burr engages with much of the popular conception of Burr, including Gore Vidal’s novel, to paint a three-dimensional portrait of this man often regarded as an historical villain. For the depth of Chernow’s research and the life he breathes into Hamilton and his world, it’s no wonder this biography inspired Lin Manuel Miranda to write his Broadway musical, Hamilton.
    • 5/5
      Read this book if you are planning to see the play!!!
    • 5/5
      I'm very much experiencing various emotions upon finishing this book. It's an incredible life and incredible thing to learn about in such detail.

      Highly recommend the audio version.
    • 3/5
      Taking on a massive biography like this is no simple task. I wasn't sure I needed or wanted to know all about that was here on Hamilton. But having gotten through it I was glad I did. Chernow delivers on not only a detailed account of this great man's life, but a remarkable assessment of his character and what drove him to greatness. But we also get the foibles and weaknesses of the man which led to his failures, and gives a complete picture on what he was really all about.Along with personal caricature the book also is a virtual historical textbook and then some on how he fit in such a key way with so many important events and decisions that shaped our great country. Hamilton maybe as much or more than any other man we find was instrumental in not only the founding of our country but to an extent what it is today.Many of the great figures he interacted with, collaborated with, and squared off against are all profiled in remarkable detail. I was rather taken but the bitterness of the rivalries and differences depicted primarily with the opposition Republicans, our today Democrats. The enmity and passions reminded me so much of today's political scene.At times the long nature of detailed political points and contentions got a bit boring but it was made up for with the descriptive personalities and failings of personal conduct. The tragic conclusion with his final confrontation with Burr was very dramatic. Also the aftermath of his wife, Eliza's life completed what was a remarkable biography.
    • 5/5
      a fabulous biography that i viewed through the lens of bias because i was also listening to the musical at the same time. quick moving - there is never a dull moment during the revolution - snappy and well written. totally enjoyable and a staggering book for me to finish over a three day sojourn to new york city on a whim.
    • 4/5
      I started this monster more than six months ago after the Hamilton musical piqued my curiosity. I checked it out of the library over and over again, reading 50 to 100 pages at a time. I would have finished sooner but this thick tome is impossible to read with one hand while walking the dog (my best reading time).

      Chernow is persuasive in fingering Hamilton as one of the most important of our Founding Fathers. The volume is rich in detail and very readable. It's easy to see how Chernow's portrait of Hamilton could fascinate Lin-Manuel Miranda and inspire him to create his wonderful musical.
    • 4/5
      Shockingly readable for how dense it was. Quite enjoyable and certainly informative. A must-read for anyone interested in the founding of the country.
    • 5/5
      This is another one of my favorite works of non-fiction. Ron Chernow is an author I had not read before, but I have since read this book twice. Hamilton is a fascinating character and one that is too often overlooked in American History. His influence on Washington and on the early economics of the country shaped the path of American History for generations. His brilliance cannot be overstated, and the fact that he came from such a difficult background makes it all the more amazing. His personality was also larger than life and is what ultimately got him into trouble and has since tarnished his image. I recommend this book to anyone who likes history, although the parts about his economic policies do drag a bit if you have no interest in the area.
    • 5/5
      You can spend $20 for the hard cover edition of Ron Chernow's biography, Alexander Hamilton, and easily spend months leisurely reading this massive tome, or you could blow $250 on a ticket and spend 2 hours taking in the hottest musical on Broadway, Lin-Manuel Miranda's Hamilton, inspired by the book. I chose the former and while I did not tap my feet or hum along to the 700+ pages, I did learn an incredible amount about this remarkable "bastard, orphan, son of a whore" to quote some less than savory lyrics from the show. Hamilton's entire life is covered, from his hard scrabble boyhood in Nevis/St. Croix to his adulthood in the colonies and eventual United States of America. Though his life was cut short at 49, there is plenty to write about because Hamilton's life was brief by today's standard but prolific and accomplished. The man was a workhorse. But Chernow's book is long also because Hamilton, though central, is not the only character. There's plenty of space on other founding fathers (Adams, Jefferson, Madison, Washington) as well as minor politicians, Hamilton's family, and of course his nemesis, Aaron Burr. Chernow is a fair biographer, pointing out Hamilton's foibles, poor judgment, personality flaws. But he clearly admires him. In the end, you are left feeling and believing that he was a man of unearthly intelligence, indefatigable work ethic, incredible productivity, and perhaps most important to Hamilton himself, honor, integrity, and love of country. The same does cannot necessarily be said about other heroes of the American Revolution portrayed here.
    • 1/5
      I typically love biographies and auto-biographies. I pretty much hated every minute of this very long book. I can't quite figure out why I hated it so much. Another biography that was written with as great depth is Helen and Teacher by Joseph P Lash, and I simply adored it. I suppose the answer for my dislike of Chernow's work is that it focuses on a politician, and my like of Lash's work must be because its focus is upon a teacher and her subject.
    • 5/5
      Excellent, well researched narrative. Mr. Chernow does an excellent job weaving all the view points through primary sources and narrative. This work provides a great counter to much of the Jeffersonian hagiography that we have been taught in school.

      Like many biographies, Mr. Chernow does a good job detailing the lives of those who interacted with Alexander Hamilton. There is even an excellent epilogue for his wife Eliza, and her contributions to his legacy after his untimely death at the young age of 47.
    • 5/5
      Not one to read American history, this became interesting because of the musical. I downloaded a sample on the Kindle and was hooked. Easy to read, interesting in detail, and historically very well researched, I learned a lot about one of the Founding Fathers. Hamilton was born to a divorced woman in the West Indies. His life was hard and he learned fast that he had to take care of himself. Later as an orphan, he found himself working on the docks doing clerical work. His ability soon impressed several people and he was able to come to America to study. Although he tried to get into Princeton, he couldn't but as able to get into King's College (later Columbia). Here he devoted himself to study and improving himself. Due to a meeting of a New York tailor, Hercules Mulligan, Hamilton was introduced into New York society. He could easily meet people and had an interesting charm.As the rumors of trouble began with Great Britain, there was much writing pro and con. Hamilton believed America owed its loyalty to Britain, to the King, but not Parliament and he wrote several tracts or articles expressing a clear stand on the issues. After the Battle of Lexington, he felt he needed to join a militia and he was soon known for his attention to detail. Eventually, he became an aide to General George Washington. Hamilton continued to write and speak on many issues and often spoke or wrote for Washington, who apparently was a man of few words.As the war drew on, Hamilton always worried about what would happen after the war as he had a great distrust of the "rabble" of the common people. He believed that government needed to be led by the elite, the educated, and those that understood the importance of rank. After the war, Hamilton studied to be a lawyer and married into an aristocratic family, the Schuylers; he married Eliza but also seemed in love with her sister Angelica.New York was the center of Tory activity and there were many there that wanted to remain a part of Britain. After the war, a new government needed to be created and Hamilton wrote what became the Federalist papers outlining a strong federal government. Many, particularly those from the South and Virginia especially stood for the power of the individual states. Thomas Jefferson was one of the most outspoken. As Washington was inaugurated, Hamilton was appointed the first Secretary of the Treasury where he was able to set up the federal bank. The times were extremely turbulent and Hamilton was often accused of using the bank for his own financial benefit, but it was his ideas that led to a solid economy for the country. He served Washington both terms but faced much opposition from the Republicans who accused him of being a monarchist. An affair with a woman, Maria Reynolds added complications as her husband blackmailed him. Eliza, his wife, remained by his side and was supportive always as he was an attentive husband and father.As Adams became the second president, the same cabinet remained, but caused nothing but trouble for the presidency as there was continued struggle between the Federalists and the Republicans, whom Hamilton and Jefferson represented. Much political intrigue, angry newspaper articles, and continual unrest made governing difficult. Aaron Burr, a New York lawyer with his own political aspirations appeared in and out of Hamilton's life. Sometimes on the same side, sometimes opposing. But it was an angry display of name calling that eventually led to the dual that killed Hamilton who was supposedly planned to not actually aim at Burr, but Burr shot him directly and Hamilton died several days later. The funeral in New York was massive as he was beloved there. He left no fortune in spite of the accusations that he was benefiting from the bank.The complicated life of his interesting man is told in such a way that one wants to know more. Filled with quotes and many excerpts of letters, the life and times of the Founding Fathers were certainly not simple; there was enough blame and praise to go around on all sides.
    • 5/5
      If you think politicians were nobler and more honest in the past, read this work. An amazing work, I do sense a basis toward Hamilton, not that his contemporaries were angels.
    • 4/5
      A fascinating story - definitely worth the time it takes to read. It shows that the origins of our government were not without dissenters. The current friction between those who want individual (states) rights as opposed to a strong central government was definitely present right from the beginning.
    • 4/5
      Wow. This was a really incredible book and life. Yes, I admit, listening to the musical is what brought me to read it, but I am so glad I did. There were so many details that just were't expanded upon in the show and it is interesting to compare how these historical figures are portrayed differently. For example, at the end, there was a chapter about the aftermath of the duel in Aaron Burr's life. In the musical, a lot of sympathy was given towards Burr. And sure, he did have a rough life, with many deaths around him and failures in his own life. But the fact that he showed little to no remorse about killing Hamilton is very indicative of his character in my head. I have less sympathy for him now, after hearing more about him and the way he lived.

      I listened to this as an audiobook and it ended up taking me almost 4 months. It is a long book but worthwhile. No biographer is perfect, but I think Chernow, while partial to Hamilton, was fair to those who opposed him. He showed that no one involved in the revolution and foundation of America was perfect and they all had major flaws. While one can accomplish many things in life, no one is without fault.
    • 5/5
      Excellent biography. Chernow argues that if Washington was the father of the country, Madison the father of the Constitution, then Hamilton was largely the father of our government. It was his work that really cemented the the three branches of our government and institutionalized our economy.
    • 3/5
      The book documented the intertwine of Alexander Hamilton and various founding fathers of the USA. It is intriguing, but the reading of the audio-book does not keep my attention as well as other audio-book.
    • 4/5
      I have absolutely no idea how Lin-Manuel Miranda found a musical in this, but I guess that's why he has won Tony awards and I have not. I did enjoy it, mind. It just didn't scream "genius soundtrack of American history" to me. Again, no Tony awards.
    • 4/5
      Epic. What an amazing life and legacy.
    • 5/5
      A serious must-read.

      This is the epitome of what good reading should be. Well, let me take that back. There are plenty of books out there that represent the epitome of good reading. And this is up there. Frankly, if you're looking for a great historical biography about one of the founding fathers, Ron Chernow is the writer for you. This is a behemoth of a book, and not exactly light reading for anyone. But if you are already the type that likes to read historical biographies, then you can't go wrong with Alexander Hamilton.

      I picked up this book having heard so much about the Broadway musical. Having not seen the musical, nor even yet listened to soundtrack, I wanted to give this one a try. The screenwriter for the musical, Lin-Manuel Miranda, said that he got the inspiration after reading this book while on vacation. Vacation? Seriously? Okay, so I took this book with me on vacation too, hoping to replicate the sense of inspiration. Although it took me way longer than the length of my vacation to finish this thing, it was worth every moment of my time.

      What can I say. Hamilton, as well as a number of the politicians and other notable figures of his day, were full of DRA-MA! It was like a full season of The Real House-Members of the Colonies. From the fighting and arguments to the duels and sordid affairs, Hamilton and his brethren did not pull any punches. It almost makes the political squabbles of the present-day pale in comparison. Almost. If they had social media back then, there certainly wouldn't be any holding back of their tongues.

      A great read. Definitely pick up.
    • 5/5
      So this was definitely not a thing I'd planned to do when I thought about what I'd read in 2016.Of course, I also hadn't planned on falling head-over-heels for a hip-hop musical about the least-known founding father, so clearly my scouting for the year wasn't the best.This book was, honestly, fantastic. You know how you are flipping channels, and you see PBS is showing Ken Burns' "The Civil War", and you think, "Oh, yeah, that's supposed to be good. I can watch an episode, and maybe if I like it I'll look it up on Netflix later or something", and then the next thing you know it's 4 hours later and you're trying to find a kleenix because you're crying about a confederate soldier, and you don't even know what's happening except you have to keep going because how can history ever be this compelling?? Yeah, it's that kind of good.Chernow uses an immense number of primary sources, and spends pages and pages on things like the formation of the US banking system, and manages to make none of it seem dry or boring or lecturing. I would venture to guess that Chernow is a fan of Alexander Hamilton (because how could he not be?), but he doesn't shy away from exploring Hamilton's weaknesses (pride; impulsivity; inability to keep his mouth shut) while also showing what an incredible man he truly was. This is fascinating history, and I'm thankful I took the plunge into this amazing beast of a biography. Highly recommended.
    • 5/5
      In what I'm sure is a pretty standard story, I came to this book through the musical. As a tragic piece of Hamiltrash in regional Australia, it can be difficult to get access to Hamilton experiences and I do love me a book.This is a fascinating story told in a deeply engaging way. Chernow's style of writing is engrossing. He reminds us that historical figures are real people, more than their myths and reputations. Hamilton's life was filled with triumphs and tragedies, love and struggles, some of the latter of his own making. Despite his obvious brilliance, Hamilton was often paranoid, reckless and lacking in discretion. Obviously, we know how this story ends but the journey is a remarkable one, filled with incredible moments and phenomenal people, shown in all their glory and gore. It feels nowhere near as long a book as it is; I can understand how Lin-Manuel Miranda came out of this read so inspired by Alexander Hamilton.
    • 4/5
      As one of those obsessive Hamilton fans, I picked up Chernow's biography of Alexander Hamilton to get a sense of the bigger picture of the life that inspired the musical. I was not disappointed. The biography is well written and Hamilton's life is fascinating. Chernow does an excellent job of both recounting Hamilton's life, describing the larger context for events, and also providing well-balanced speculation on particular events or relationships where concrete support is unavailable. Additionally, as a Canadian my familiarity with the American Revolutionary period is pretty scant and the book provides enough detail that I didn't feel lost in an unfamiliar history. A solid biography that's a worthwhile reading experience whether you're a fan of the musical or just interested in this fascinating American founding father.
    • 5/5
      Excellent book and exposition on one of the most profoundly influential, yet surprisingly little-known, of the founding fathers. Hamilton's story really is so incredible. The only reason I didn't give it five stars is that the book is just too long for my tastes. Made it thru 400+ of 700 pages before running out of gas. Maybe I'll pick it up again in a few months to polish off the latter part of H's life.
    • 5/5
      Ron Chernow is the master architect when building biographies. His reconstruction of Alexander Hamilton's life is as detailed as it is complete. Chernow had plenty to work with as Hamilton's early years were as rich with intrigue as his later political years. But, Chernow doesn't stop there. Besides given a thorough snapshot of the political and historical times, he dips into the biographies of the influential people around Hamilton as well: John Adams, George Clinton, Elizabeth Schuyler, Thomas Jefferson, George Washington, and of course, Aaron Burr, to name a few. As an aside, I was surprised to learn that Hamilton enjoyed settling disputes with duels. He was quick to suggest them, enough so that his encounter with Burr was not the first, but definitely his last.
    • 3/5
      A straight-forward biography of General Washington's right-hand man, Constitutional crusader, and founder of American finance as first secretary of treasury. It does not shy away from Hamilton's failings such as an ill-tempered tongue and poor decisions, but mostly presents him as a honorable person who set the United States on the course to greatness before his own fall from grace (followed by his being felled by a dueling pistol). Chernow relies on the unnuanced history that presents Aaron Burr as pure villain, but Burr did kill the book's protagonist, so I suppose it's only fair. If you're looking for an introduction to one of the United States' overlooked but fascinating founders, this is it.
    • 5/5
      THIS IS MY 500TH REVIEW ON LIBRARYTHING.Thanks to LT for the opportunity to write about so many wonderful books (and a few not so wonderful) and to share my thoughts with others, hopefully pointing you to some winners you may not have otherwise discovered. "Alexander Hamilton" is a big winner !Hamilton (AH) was born in Nevis, a British West Indian island near St. Kitts; his year of birth is somewhat debatable but it was most likely 1755. His mother died when he was 14, and his father had deserted the family years earlier; he and his older brother (by two years) were left without family, friends, and money. For the next few years he was raised by neighbors, and did bookkeeping for a shipping company. At the age of 18 or so, Hamilton sailed to America, stopping first in Boston but settling soon after in New York.AH had little if any formal education during his Nevis years, but he likely was tutored by the elderly ladies in the community; he became bilingual learning French from his mother and he read and re-read the small collection of English classics his mother had accumulated. He gained admission to Kings College (later renamed Columbia University) but dropped out to fight in the Revolutionary War. Hamilton came to General George Washington's attention early on in New York and was chosen to join Washington's staff. Now in his early 20's, he was drafting the bulk of Washington's correspondence from reports for Congress to orders from Washington to his Generals. Washington quickly gave AH more and more responsibility. And the rest is history.....finally gaining a command and playing a key role in Cornwallis's surrender at Yorktown effectively ending the Revolutionary War, penning the Federalist papers with Madison, contributing to the framing of the Constitution, serving as Washington's Treasury Secretary, becoming a successful New York lawyer, and together with wife Eliza raising eight children.Hamilton had many successes in his brief life, and author Ron Chernow does not restrain himself in his accolades. "If Washington was the father of the country.....then Alexander Hamilton was the father of American government." Hamilton's many accomplishments included establishing the Federal Bank, funding public debt, creating the tax system, the Customs Service, the Coast Guard. Also AH "....laid the groundwork for both liberal democracy and capitalism and helped transform the role of the president from passive administrator to active policy maker......and helped to weld the states irreversibly into one nation."Yet Chernow is not reticent to include AH's shortcomings. He shows that at times AH could be hypocritical and had a chronic tendency to magnify problems. He sometimes tried to do too much at the same time, launching too many initiatives at once. Toward the end, AH and Adams detested each other: "Both were hasty, erratic, impulsive men and capable of atrocious judgment." Chernow includes, with perhaps too much detail, AH's shameful, embarrassing and long-lasting affair with Mrs. Mariah Reynolds.There is an additional story told in this marvelous book - the critical events in the founding of the United States, particularly the creation of our Constitution and the major issues facing our first president. To lay the groundwork for the ratification of the Constitution, Hamilton conceived the idea of "The Federalist Papers"(FP) , drawing together the contributors, writing most of the eighty-three essays and seeing to their publication; AH wrote twenty-one of them in a mere two months . "Hamilton's mind always worked with preternatural speed. His collected papers are so stupefying in length that it is hard to believe that one man created them in fewer than five decades." Chernow does an excellent job of summarizing the FP's groupings. It is amazing for the reader to see how many issues of those days still resonate today and illiustrate how passionately citizens of the 1790's felt about matters such as Federal v. State responsibilities. It is also very interesting to read the history and debate concerning so many precedent setting events. Fortunately, Chernow goes far beyond the typical biographer's practice of paying the most minimal attention to those events in which his subject played a minor role. And so we are treated to many pages devoted to all the major events of the times. These include how we elected our first President (no campaigning!), why many of our early presidents were from Virginia, how the Constitution was agreed to by a disparate group of 39, how its ratification process played out, how political parties came to be, the XYZ affair, passage of the Alien and Sedition Acts, creating the USA's first currency and coinage. Even how the stock exchange was created. !While AH had many incredible successes, great satisfaction, and happy moments, there are many moments of gloom and foreboding throughout the book. From the earliest of its 731 pages, "Alexander Hamilton" details how closely Aaron Burr's life was interwoven with Hamilton's. Burr pops up continuously, with details of his career advancement, family life, personal habits, and characteristics.The subject of dueling also arises frequently. Dueling was an unfortunate part of many gentlemen's lives and Hamilton had several occasions where he was involved as a third party with the duels of others. Two of the last chapters, about 30 pages, deal with the Hamilton-Burr duel in Weehauken, NJ. Sadly, less than three years before his own death in that duel, Hamilton's oldest son Philip was killed at the very same site. He was only 20, defending his father's honor, attacked in a July 4th speech.This is an excellent bio, one of the two or three best I have ever read. (I found it far superior to Chernow's book on Washington). I recommend it highly.
    • 4/5
      Excellent biography of Alexander Hamilton. Although 700+ pages, it's interesting all the way through. Chernow presents an even-handed view of Hamilton, warts and all, but he also makes it clear how essential Hamilton was to the American story. Thomas Jefferson comes across very poorly, but it doesn't feel like it's Jefferson-bashing, it feels like truth. My only comment would be that there are too many "Could this be why he did that?" questions without any real basis. Either state what did have an effect, or don't even mention it.