The inspiration for the hit Broadway musical Hamilton! In the first full-length biography of Alexander Hamilton in decades; National Book Award winner Ron Chernow tells the riveting story of a man who overcame all odds to shape; inspire; and scandalize the newborn America. According to historian Joseph Ellis; Alexander Hamilton is “a robust full-length portrait; in my view the best ever written; of the most brilliant; charismatic and dangerous founder of them all.â€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.Ron Chernow's new biography; Grant; will be published by Penguin Press in October 2017.
#5488175 in Books Alpha 2004-09-07 2004-09-07Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 8.90 x .75 x 6.06l; #File Name: 1592572138304 pages
Review
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful. Timely and eye opening exploration of the "Forgotten War"By Tom FentonLet me say first to eliminate confusion that 's listing is incorrect. The author is not Thomas Gordon Smith. I was unable to find any author by that name. As the rest of the information states; this excellent; enlightening; and a bit frightening resource was written by W. Thomas Smith; Jr.At first; I was not sure I would be overwhelmed with interest in the subject of a war fought during my lifetime and rarely mentioned. I am a Vietnam veteran and have focused my reading on events in American history prior to my lifetime. This book sat on my shelf for a couple of years waiting for me to get around to it. However; I was quickly captivated by Smith's presentation. Beginning with a brief but satisfactorily complete survey of the past five or so thousand years of Korean history; the reader is brought up to date into the 21st century. Published in 2004; Smith's work brings us into the middle of George W. Bush's presidency. This book's timeliness is fascinating to me; especially since this week (3 days; in fact) finds Americans and the world remembering the 10th anniversary of the destruction of the World Trade Towers on September 11; 2001. Whether you find yourself agreeing with President Bush's response to North Korea; and; for that matter; with President Truman's handling of the conflict itself is something no one can predict. I am not sure I even know now whether I agree with decisions that were made or not. History does not usually reveal the correctness or incorrectness of decisions for generations after the events are done. What I DO know is that thanks to his little book; 304 pages long; Smith has given me more to think about than I ever imagined. I am both frightened and comforted by what I have read.Smith is a military man himself; so he knows his subject; and presents his information confidently; competently; and in a very readable way. Again; I was captivated from the first pages. Although I am sure there are many more things he could have included in his story; I am very satisfied and anxious to read more. There is an old saying that the way for a cook to win rave reviews about their cooking is to leave the diners wanting more. This W. Thomas Smith; Jr. has done; and for that reason along with style and many other things; I highly recommend "...the Korean Conflict" and give it:Five stars!
