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Audio CD Description 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 Best Hamilton Biography yet, if not a little too glowing No Founding Father has ever interested me more than Hamilton. A genius who helped construct the Constitution of this country, develop its economy and shape the power quotient of each of the branches of government was also a man who, in later life, described democracy as the true illness America suffered from and was constantly wary of allowing the people to have too much say in the future of the country. Chernow examines every bit of Hamilton, every ounce of the man, from his upbringing to his final demise at the hands of Burr and he does it in a way that reads like a novel, a compelling story of an extraordinary mans life, so that when he refers to the remarks of individuals like John Adams or James Monroe in regards to his origins we, as the reader, have no doubt what Hamilton's reaction will be and why. This is an excellent examination of the mans life and a detailed look at some of the more obscure questions that continue to surround him. The major flaw of this book, in my opinion, is that Chernow becomes so in love with Hamilton as a figure he presents him as almost God-like in his ability to shape the country the way he saw fit. Some of his insinuations, such as his assertion that James Madison, a fairly intelligent individual himself, was so intimidated by Hamilton that he refused to take him on in the press, seem less like historical truism and more like the gushing sentiments of a smitten fan. Also, while Chernow chastises Hamilton at certain points in the book, namely for his anti-immigration stance later in his life, he seems to completely dismiss some of the more serious charges against Hamilton, especially the charges that Hamilton desired military fame so much he was hell bent on involving the US in a war with France to ensure his opportunity. Chernow also lambasts Adams many times for his penchant for being paranoid and unable to handle criticism, presenting Adams as unhinged, yet Hamilton suffered from many of the same flaws and Chernow chooses to represent them as small warts in the greater body of work. However, despite this tendency to love Hamilton, this book is a perfect telling of Hamilton's life and, through the former Secretary of Treasury, the telling of the very turbulent early life of this country. And it is done in such a way as to keep the readers constant interest throughout all 700 plus pages of history. A grade. The Greatest Man Who Ever Lived The one star review from the Jacksonville man is typical of the person who cannot comprehend the basis of Hamilton's thoughts and arguements. While it is true that Hamilton despised Democracy it should be known that most if not all of the founding father's did. For Democracy is rule by "The Mob" the 51% of people who want to tell the other 49% how to live. We do not live in a Democracy but rather a Republic whose basis is dervied based upon the natural laws of man not "Mob Rule" That aside, the book does an excellent job in showing just how great a man Hamilton was and revealing just how far his influence continues today in keeping the USA the greatest country to have ever existed in the world. From the Federal Reserve, to the Coast Guard, to 100 other institutions that exist today Hamilton was responsible. His genius is comparble if not beyond that of Einstein. I highly reccomend this book to any with the faintest curiosity of why our country is what it is today in its greatest glory as well as some of its short commings. Vice President assassinates former Treasury Secretary... Imagine that as breaking news! I knew next to nothing about the man on the ten-dollar bill before I read this incredible biography (excellent work Chernow!), but now I see why he is pictured so prominently. From the sketchy details of his Caribbean birth to his death at the hand of then-Vice-President Aaron Burr, this account of Hamilton's life makes it seem as if nearly every moment was controversial. His relationships with Washington and Jefferson are explored in detail. His intricate financial system that first united the infant states, the constitutionality of his system, and the associated political backlash are explained well. There is much more - this is a very thorough recounting of Hamilton's life and times, and as an American I feel very indebted to him for adhering to his plans and principles. Also, Chernow's modifications to the spelling and punctuation of quoted material make the 18th century prose much more digestible.