| |  | Books : Alexander Hamilton |  | | | | | | | | | |
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Binding: Hardcover
Dewey Decimal Number: 973.4092
Format: Bargain Price
Label: Penguin Press
Manufacturer: Penguin Press
Number Of Items: 1
Number Of Pages: 832
Publication Date: April 26, 2004
Publisher: Penguin Press
Sales Rank: 1921
Studio: Penguin Press
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Editorial Review:
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.
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
Customer Reviews Average Rating: 
Rating:  - Exellent Bio
An excellent biography on the most convertersial, and one of the most important, founding fathers. The book covers nearly every aspect of Hamilton's life and shows how brilliat he really was. It gives a fair and balanced view of the great man. Although Chernow uses some very difficult words, I would reccomend this to anyone.
Rating: - The Best of the Founding Father Biographies
There is not much I can add to the other effusive reviews. This really is as good as biography gets. If you are a fan of McCullough and Ellis, you will love this book. Perhaps even more. I did. This is a near-800-page page-turner, that I simply could not put down. It is the best of the modern Founding Father biographies. And while you might differ if you are, say, a Jeffersonian, no matter your political perspective, you will inevitably find yourself saying "wow." I bought multiple copies in hardcover ... Read More
Rating: - jack's take
The book arrived as advertised, and the content was as advertised, too. Have read much about Hamilton, it's a shame the congressmen/women and wall streeters haven't done that.As our Premier Banker he saw most of the future ills that we have created with worthless paper, worthless stocks, backed by terrible credit loans, along with no gold standard. I also enjoyed reading about the Founders and their struggles to give us what we cavalierly pour down the drain.The wall street mess, only from a 1700's ... Read More
Rating: - Fascinating bio!
Ron Chernow's biography of Alexander Hamilton is as fun to read as any work of fiction. Chernow's style is readable, but elevated enough to do justice to his topic. He touches upon all aspects of Hamilton's life: his amazing and tragic youth, his military exploits during the Revolution, the development of his broad intellect, and his turbulent political career.
If the book has a fault, it is that Chernow is too obviously biased against Jefferson in describing the enmity between the two men. ... Read More
Rating: - A forgotten Founding Father!
Ron Chernow has written another well detailed and well researched biography of a man who is indeed not as well known in the formation of the government of the United States.
It seems Chernow's writings lean toward people who are often misunderstood.Such is the case on his biography of John D. Rockefeller.
Although Mr. Chernow is not an academic historian, he does the due diligence of an historian.As stated in Janet Mislin's New York TimesBookReview, Mr. Chernow actually visited ... Read More
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