Alexander Hamilton | 
 enlarge | Author: Ron Chernow
Publisher: Penguin Press
Category: Book
List Price: $35.00
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Rating:  256 reviews
Sales Rank: 72268
Format: Bargain Price
Media: Hardcover
Pages: 832
Number Of Items: 1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 2.9
Dimensions (in): 9.4 x 6.1 x 2.1
Dewey Decimal Number: 973.4092
ASIN: B000UENRQU
Publication Date: April 26, 2004
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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Amazon.com Review
Building on biographies by Richard Brookhiser and Willard Sterne Randall, Ron Chernow s Alexander Hamilton provides what may be the most comprehensive modern examination of the often overlooked Founding Father. From the start, Chernow argues that Hamilton s premature death at age 49 left his record to be reinterpreted and even re-written by his more long-lived enemies, among them: Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, and James Monroe. Hamilton s achievements as first Secretary of the Treasury, co-author of The Federalist Papers, and member of the Constitutional Convention were clouded after his death by strident claims that he was an arrogant, self-serving monarchist. Chernow delves into the almost 22,000 pages of letters, manuscripts, and articles that make up Hamilton s legacy to reveal a man with a sophisticated intellect, a romantic spirit, and a late-blooming religiosity. One fault of the book, is that Chernow is so convinced of Hamilton s excellence that his narrative sometimes becomes hagiographic. Nowhere is this more apparent than in Chernow s account of the infamous duel between Hamilton and Aaron Burr in 1804. He describes Hamilton s final hours as pious, while Burr, Jefferson, and Adams achieve an almost cartoonish villainy at the news of Hamilton s passing. A defender of the union against New England secession and an opponent of slavery, Hamilton has a special appeal to modern sensibilities. Chernow argues that in contrast to Jefferson and Washington s now outmoded agrarian idealism, Hamilton was "the prophet of the capitalist revolution" and the true forebear of modern America. In his Prologue, he writes: "In all probability, Alexander Hamilton is the foremost figure in American history who never attained the presidency, yet he probably had a much deeper and more lasting impact than many who did." With Alexander Hamilton, this impact can now be more widely appreciated. --Patrick O'Kelley
Product Description
Ron Chernow, the renowned author of Titan whom the New York Times has called "as elegant an architect of monumental histories as we ve seen in decades," vividly re-creates the whole sweep of Alexander Hamilton s turbulent life his exotic, brutal upbringing; his titanic feuds with celebrated rivals; his pivotal role in defining the shape of the federal government and the American economy; his shocking illicit romances; his enlightened abolitionism; and his famous death in a duel with Aaron Burr in July 1804. Drawing upon extensive, unparalleled research including nearly fifty previously undiscovered essays highlighting Hamilton s fiery journalism as well as his revealing missives to colleagues and friends this biography of the extraordinarily gifted founding father who galvanized, inspired, and scandalized the newborn nation is the work by which all others will be measured.
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| Customer Reviews: Read 45 more reviews...
 An almost forgotten founding father January 1, 2009
Publuis Enigma (Freehold, NJ United States)
The author Ron Chernow is an excellent author and researcher. His exhaustive research breathes life into his subject matter. Alexander Hamilton is vetted and exposed for all his brilliance and vanity. After reading this book, one realizes that Hamilton deserves to be placed with the top tier of the founding fathers of this country. He was as smart as Franklin, wrote as well as Jefferson, and argued a case better than John Adams. Chernow, as a biographer is in the class of Robert Caro and other great current biographers. I will buy every book that Chernow writes that is how good he is as a writer!
changed my mind about hamilton December 28, 2008
Brian Bex Huff (Minneapolis, MN, USA)
I read this because I had a long standing white-hot hatred of Hamilton, so much so that it amused my friends. One of them suggested I read this book to get a different perspective, and it really did turn me around a bit. Hamilton is still a political fool, but he's a military and financial genius, and the USA would be much worse off without him.
Brilliant! December 24, 2008
Ariel Diaz (New York, NY USA)
Just by reading the sample chapters on my Kindle, Ron Chernow has hit another home run. I couldn't put it down. This is a brilliant biography of Alexander Hamiltion, and how he has grown into prominence. The beauty of it, though, is how he got there. It wasn't an easy journey. I will definitely purchase this book because it is worth the read.
The reviewers--and critics alike-- are right, so go out and purchase this book. You won't regret it.
The authoritative Alexander Hamilton December 19, 2008
D. Hodges (Washington, DC)
This is a book that can only be described as magisterial. Epic in length, engrossing in its details, Ron Chernow's biography of Alexander Hamilton has to be the authoritative account of the great man's life. At nearly 800 pages, it covers his unique upbringing and the insights it brought him into free trade and slavery, along with fascinating details (like how his Sephardic teacher taught him the Decalogue in Hebrew, a lifelong point of pride for the philo-Semite), and the whole trajectory of the country's original and most accomplished meritocrat. Chernow convincingly makes the case that Hamilton was America's prophet, the only one of his generation who saw the country not only for what it was, but what it would become: a free-trading republican democracy that would take the place of Britain in leading the world.
However, though the book records his energy, his bubbling ideas, and his titanic achievements, it is hardly hagiographic and lays out his colossal errors in judgment, from the Maria Reynolds affair to the misplaced sense of honor that hurt his political career and ultimately ended his life. Though his accomplishments were far more impressive than any founding father, save Washington, it is difficult to get the sense from Chernow that Hamilton would have made a good president without a powerful legislature or a Washington-like figure keeping his authoritarian impulses in check.
Almost always fair-minded, Chernow lays out Hamilton's place in history and portrays the founding generation in their full colors, from the highs of the Federalist Papers to the lows of the Genet affair. Finally, for those readers who already have their favorite founding father (or mother), be forewarned: any fair-minded book on Hamilton will by necessity increase his standing in American history and correspondingly diminish the standing of the other founders - Madison, Adams, and (especially) Jefferson. This book is no exception.
Alexander Hamilton by Ron Chernow December 18, 2008
Timothy F. Kenny (Rhode Island)
This is a phenomenal contribution to the understanding of America's most influential founding father. Chernow brings the man to full dimension, in a well-researched and empathetic manner.
The backdrop of this tragic tale is also brought to textured life in the colorful and descriptive letters of the the subject's contemporaries.
Although Chernow is clearly an admirer of Hamilton, he does not shy away from criticizing him. The author often recounts certain events in a manner characteristic of a best friend who, although feeling great affection, understands but does not condone his failings.
I have read the book and listened to the audio CD's twice. And every time I get to the last chapter, I feel that I am about to lose a good friend.
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