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. “A robust full-length portrait, in my view the best ever written, of the most brilliant, charismatic and dangerous founder of them all.' -Joseph Ellisįew figures in American history have been more hotly debated or more grossly misunderstood than Alexander Hamilton. A genuinely great book.' -David McCullough 'Grand-scale biography at its best-thorough, insightful, consistently fair, and superbly written. Pulitzer Prize-winning author Ron Chernow presents a landmark biography of Alexander Hamilton, the Founding Father who galvanized, inspired, scandalized, and shaped the newborn nation. Reading about this legend was a fantastic, educational experience.The #1 New York Times bestseller, and the inspiration for the hit Broadway musical Hamilton! Also his firey feuds with Jefferson, Madison, Monroe and Burr.Īs intimidating it may look of a read, once you get started on this biography you’ll have trouble putting it down. The Maria Taylor incident imparticular, America’s first political sex scandal, was all Hamilton’s doing. He co-wrote the Federalist papers which publicly defended the need for our Constitution, founded the Bank of New York and essentially invented America’s current financial system as Secretary of Treasury.Ĭhernow is diligent not to let Hamilton be sanctified as he devotes chapters to his short-comings.

Hamilton was, by almost all accounts, a genius who selflessly gave all of his intellect to help make America what it is today. Hamilton’s service during the Revolutionary War was a point of interest for me as I had always thought the Founding Fathers distanced themselves from the fighting Not Hamilton. Upon delving into Ron Chernow’s biography I learned that this humble looking man who now resides on the back of our $10 bills was no man but a titan.Ĭhernow effortlessly cruises through Hamilton’s life as an orphan from illegitimate birth on a small Caribbean island to his time as leader of the Federalist Party.

I knew he was the first treasury secretary, died in a duel and had recently been the centerpiece of a hip-hop musical on Broadway. When I first received Alexander Hamilton as a gift, I’ll have to admit I knew very little about the man.

Hamilton book chernow