Alexander Hamilton
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Alexander Hamilton
by Authors:
Ron Chernow
Released: 26 April, 2004
ISBN: 1594200092
Hardcover
Sales Rank: 13
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List price:
$35.00
Our price:
$23.80
(You save: $11.2)
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| Book > Alexander Hamilton > Customer Reviews: |
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Average Customer Rating: 
Alexander Hamilton >
Customer Review #1:
 Alexander Hamilton
Ron Chernow has put a lot of time and afford into the life of Alexander Hamilton and I find the book easy to read and right to the point. Hamiltons picture on the ten dollar bill is well known but the reason behind the picture and the part he played in Americas financial begaining is well spelled out in the book. Any one that loves American history must read this book, its a winner. Larry Hobson- Author- "The Day Of The Rose"
Alexander Hamilton >
Customer Review #2:
The Man on the Ten Dollar Bill
Ron Chernow is a very fine biographer (I really enjoyed his books on the Morgans and John D. Rockefeller), and I am happy to say that I also enjoyed this latest work on one of the most enigmatic of the founders. Good writing, extensive research and the ability to connect the complicated dots of an often secretive and complicated life into a coherent narrative make for an absorbing read. Other authors (such as Richard Brookhiser)have already made the case for re-assessing Hamilton as one of the most influential of the founders, but Chernows story is more fully fleshed out and both broader (in terms of the historical context) as well as narrower (in terms of the mans personal life) in scope. Hamlitons achievements - the organisation of public finance, the contribution to the Federalist Papers, etc. are well treated, as are his rivalries with the other collossi - Jefferson the most prominent. The private life receives a judicious exposition, although Chernow can add little to that greatest of American mysteries, the cause of the duel between Hamilton and Burr (Gore Vidals fictional account in his masterpiece "Burr" makes as much sense as any other theory!). However, I will have to say that after finishing (and enjoying) this book, I did feel that it represents "the Case for Hamilton" rather than an even-handed account of his life and times. As a keen (amateur) student of American history, I am frequently struck by how radically different the visions of an ideal republic really were when you compare the views of Hamilton with those of a Jefferson, or contrast them with the thinking of Adams or Madison. The modern world and Americas current state are much closer to the spirit of Hamilton, and in that sense he really is one of the most important of the founders. But was something lost as a result of this Hamiltonian "victory"? A great work of biography would have gone deeper into those questions, but you cant have everything, I suppose, or not often. This is not Sandburg or Boswell, but it is a very fine book and well worth your time this summer!
Alexander Hamilton >
Customer Review #3:
See the Man on the ten dollar bill come vividly alive!
Alexander Hamilton (1755-104) is a founding father most Americans know little about. Hamilton was born in Nevis in the West Indians and was born illegitimately. He was soon orphaned and worked in a counting house. Wealthy friends in the Caribbean raised enough money to send the lad to the English colonies. While a student at college in New York the young Hamilton became enflamed with the fire of independence for the British colonies.
The young soldier served as an aide to George Washington. The aloof Washington depended on Hamilton for outstanding service during the eight long years of the Revolutionary War.
With the end of the war Hamilton became a brillian attorney, married into the wealthy and politically influential Schuyler familey, sired eight children and carried on at least one amorous dalliance.
Hamilton wrote the bulk of the Federalist papers leading to conflict with Americas leading Anti-Federalist Thomas Jefferson. As our nations first Secretary of the Treasury Hamilton worked hard to make the executive branch of government the most powerful. He set up the Coast Guard and the Customs departments and made the federal government a strong source of order and stability in the infant nation.
Along the way Hamilton made many enemies and in 1804 was killed in a duel with the notrious Vice-President Aaron Burr.
Chernows book is history but there is enough material in these crowded 800 pages for several novels!
Hamilton was a complex genius who died young but whose legacy of a strong central government remains. His advocacy of a strong Federal Constitution and fiscal responsibility paved the way for making the United States a world power.
Chernow writes well with his material being buttressed by outstanding research.
This book kept me busy for several hours each day for a week.
It is a book which will become a classic and the definitive popular work on Mr. Hamilton.
If you read one biography this year grab this one of the shelf and relish hours spent in the company of one of the giant founders of America. Excllent-should be a contender of the Pulitzer Prize if there is any justice!
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Alexander Hamilton >
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