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Alexander Hamilton

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Alexander Hamilton

By: Ron Chernow
Narrated by: Scott Brick
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About this listen

Bloomsbury presents Alexander Hamilton by Ron Chernow, read by Scott Brick.

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

'I was swept up by the story. I thought it 'out-Dickens' Dickens in the unlikeliness of this man's rise from his humble beginnings in Nevis in the Caribbean, to changing, helping shape our young nation. And it's uniquely an immigrant story and it's uniquely a story about writers... It's an amazing biography' LIN-MANUEL MIRANDA

Alexander Hamilton was an illegitimate self-taught orphan from the Caribbean who overcame all the odds to become George Washington's aide-de-camp and the first Treasury Secretary of the United States.

Few figures in American history are more controversial than Alexander Hamilton. In this masterful work, Chernow shows how the political and economic power of America today is the result of Hamilton's willingness to champion ideas that were often wildly disputed during his time. He charts his titanic feuds with Jefferson, Adams, Madison, Monroe and Burr; his highly public affair with Maria Reynolds; his loving marriage to his loyal wife Eliza; and the notorious duel with Aaron Burr that led to his death in July 1804.

©2016 Head of Zeus (P)2017 Penguin Random House Audio
Americas Historical Politicians Politics & Activism American History Thought-Provoking War of 1812 Marriage Latin American Taxation Law US Constitution Founding Fathers Boston

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Critic reviews

"A mammoth work of research that charted the course of Hamilton's dazzling career." (Guardian)

"An elegantly written, richly detailed account of Hamilton's tempestuous life." (The Times)

"A brilliant recreation of the society and culture of the time: thoughtful and playful, moving and powerful." (Michael Gove)
All stars
Most relevant
Having watched the play and being your typical ignorant brit I wanted to find more. Both my friend and I (she read however) found it was really interesting and even though you know where the story is going you never know what's coming next. The level of politics is perfect... Not too long but enough that you are kept aware and interested in different stances. I also liked that this book is not just about AH but those around him, giving fair representation of all.

Really good

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So glad this book has been made available on Audible. If you want to understand the early political travails of US history you can do no better than listen to this audiobook. Its not that the author has slanted his biography onto a political footing, its just that Hamilton's life & the early years of the republic's foundation are contemporaneous & intinately linked. And there is so much of interest here. Hamilton's roles were many & crucial : the war of independence, the establishment of the US constitution, the establishment of a central bank, introducing revenue taxes, arguing for federalism, and many more. And he foresaw the dangers ahead of possible secession & a civil war between the north & south. Though at the time of his own life it was the north that was contemplating secession.

There is a but however. Depite his key historical role & the masses of written material available to the biographer, Hamilton as a person in his own persoal life doesnt really shine through to my mind. Clearly, he was dearly loved by most of his contemporaries and by his own family. But when he is shot in the famous duel with Aaron Burr, it seems like an historical fact, not the retelling of a tragic personal ending. Perhaps it is the flowery, formal 18th C. style of letters & documents, so copiously quoted from, that makes the events seem a little unreal. Nevertheless, this is a great biography of a great man. And one from which we can learn so much.

US Political History

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Wow. Just wow.
Like so many, I picked this up because I was intrigued by the character behind the musical.
I usually enjoy history about a thousand years before this period, and very much on the eastern side of the Atlantic, but this tour de force, though long, was exquisite.
It had all the elements of an adventure story with political intrigue. Phenomenal book, phenomenally read.

Is there a 6th star?

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having heard Disney+ bought the rights to the recording of Hamilton the musical i decided to buy the book that inspired Lin Manuel Miranda to write said musical

It was a big help when i then watched said musical because as a brit i learnt nothing about american history in school

the book is well written very thorough and approaches the subject as if the reader is new to the topic, a big plus for me

the narrators voice is pleasant which also helps

i will be looking out for other Ron Chernow books in future

a brit wanting to learn

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I came to this book because of the musical as most will these days. I wanted to know more. it's given me a new passion for history. I'm Scottish and have never delved deep into US history before but I will be doing more reading/listening around this era because of this read. the author told a great story with good use of the evidence available. although it could be a biased view point the author does explore the complexity of Hamilton's character well and offers criticism it does have a balanced feel. I enjoyed the narrator's delivery too.

excellent

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