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.

One of America's Shining Stars

There have NOT been enough biographies of Alexander Hamilton, and Ron Chernow has restored this often maligned founding father into his deserved spotlight. The marvelous opening passage describes the longings of Hamilton's widow, Elizabeth, for her husband who had died nearly 50 years previously. This romantic image sets the tone for this brilliant book, as it explores the heart as well as the mind of Alexander Hamilton.

For those who do not know, Hamilton was not merely a capitalist and economist who happened to die in a duel with Aaron Burr. True, he was the founder of The Bank of New York and was America's first Secretary of the Treasury. But Hamilton was also a tireless abolitionist, a brilliant lawyer and writer, General Washington's right-hand-man, a war hero, founder of the New York Post, and a swash-buckling romantic. Taken on their own, these achievements are amazing enough, but given the enormous obstacles and tragedies he had to overcome during his youth, it's just mindboggling. To take it a step further, he accomplished all this in just 49 years, which was his age at the time of his death.

A life as full, as dramatic, as IMPORTANT as Alexander Hamilton's deserves volumes. Ron Chernow's extensive biography is a long book but, even so, the amazing life he is describing requires such length. And, to Chernow's credit, the book achieves just the right balance of admiration and criticism, romanticism and realism, speculation and fact. Hamilton's life swung between often contradictory ideas and emotions, and Chernow presents them all to us, rather than sticking with one overriding image. ALEXANDER HAMILTON by Ron Chernow is perhaps the most important book written about the nascent years of our country since Ellis' FOUNDING BROTHERS, which would make an excellent companion to this book. I would also strongly recommend McCullough's JOHN ADAMS, as well.

Comprehensive excellence

The author of this remarkable book, Chernow, obviously left no stone unturned in delving into the tumultuous life of this brilliant and often misunderstood man, Alexander Hamilton (1755-1804). If you have any interest in understanding the competing struggles of our Founding Fathers this book is a critical brick in the wall of understanding their passion and dedication. Thomas Jefferson was one of Hamilton's most outspoken foes yet the author fairly unwinds the difference in philosophy between the two to give us a profound look at why both opinions were so critical to the underpinning of America's Federalist system.

Few people recognize Hamilton's astounding delivery as first Secretary of the Treasury but this author - clearly enamored with Hamilton's genius - gives great deference to this maverick's contribution. Hamilton's understanding of finance was essential because he created the foundation for public finance in the United States. Hamilton was also a co-author of The Federalist Papers, an essential underrated document laying the groundwork for the democratic system in the United States. He was also a critical contributor to the Constitutional Convention but was never able to serve as President of the United States because he was not born in the United States. He was born in the Caribbean on Nevis. He died at 49, in 1804 after losing an infamous duel with Aaron Burr. Chernow argues that Hamilton's rivals unfairly tainted his historical significance after his death.

The author also discusses Hamilton's personal life just as dramatically with just as much insight into the man's paradoxical life. He bore eight children with his wife Eliza and had two known extramarital affairs.

Clearly, this is a critical book in the history of America and a must read for anyone fascinated by the infancy of the United States and the convtroversies between the brilliant men who conceived the Constituion.

True Founding Interests

The best all around depiction of a pivotal charecter in the founding of our country. With all of Mr Hamiltons accomplishments and pitfalls of character. Hamilton created almost single-handedly the modern capitalist society in addition to making huge implications into the manner which our government took shape that so many Americans take for granted. I would encourage anyone interested in the formation of the American experiment and a capitalist society read this book.