Alexander Hamilton: the biography that started it all

 Alexander Hamilton by Ron Chernow has been on the reading lists of many since Lin-Manuel Miranda read the book and was inspired to write his award-winning musical, Hamilton (2015). I have long been a fan of history and musicals. When I finally was able to see the musical in July, I knew I had to read the biography. Alexander Hamilton came from nothing as the illegitimate self-taught orphan from the Caribbean. He overcame the abandonment of his father, the death of his mother and a devastating hurricane to start a new life in the Americas. He would arrive at the height of the Revolutionary War and he would quickly join in the fight for freedom. Alexander Hamilton was a controversial figure in his day as well as today. Chernow details how the political and economic power of America today is the handiwork of Hamilton and his unrelenting fight to champion ideas that we take for granted today.

As a line in the musical says, “His enemies destroyed his rep America forgot him.” He had very public feuds with the Titans of the day: Jefferson, Adams, Madison, and Monroe. He had the first sex scandal of American history as his affair with Maria Reynolds became public. I learned about Alexander Hamilton in college as my history professor used his story of the American dream. To rise above your origins to become a success. While he was largely be forgotten in our history lessons, now thanks to Ron Chernow and Lin-Manuel Miranda, he will no longer be forgotten. It is a large book at 700+ pages and it took me several months to read. However, it will be so worth it. Alexander Hamilton is worthy to be among the heroes of our country’s history as much as Washington, Jefferson and others are celebrated. While he was a hero, he was also deeply flawed. While we can celebrate his contributions, we should also understand the man and human he was. His mistakes, his failures to stand are all lessons to us as much as his successes. I highly recommend Alexander Hamilton. 

 “You've seen the show, you've sung the songs, now read the full story of America's most misunderstood founding father.”

 

Alexander Hamilton is available in hardcover, paperback, eBook and audiobook