Alexander Hamilton

This book is the most comprehensive biography of Alexander Hamilton in modern times and this book tells it well with a fountain of scholarly research and new material. Hamilton (1755-1804) was born in the West Indies (Nevis), descended from a Laird of Scotland from his father and from French Huguenots on his mother's side. Brought up in relative poverty, he was recognized as a child prodigy as a teenager by Hugh Knox, a Presbyterian minister in the islands. As an extremely proficient clerk at a Counting House in St. Croix, his employers also appreciated his precocity and intelligence. Knox arranged for young Hamilton, now age 17, to receive financial assistant from the admiring islanders, who backed Hamilton to travel to America and study on scholarship. America was then a land in revolutionary turmoil, rebelling against British rule. As a student, Hamilton soon became embroiled in the heat of politics and revolution. Hamilton studied at Kings College (later Columbia University) in New York, but as open rebellion erupted in America, he soon joined the ranks of the revolutionaries. He wrote incendiary articles, orated for the revolution, and when war came he served as an artillery officer in the New York militia. Discovered by George Washington, he was made an military adjutant, promoted to Lieutenant Colonel in the Revolutionary Army. He was commissioned and served six years under George Washington (1776-1781), became a hero of the Battle of Yorktown (1781), served brilliantly as Secretary of the Treasury (1789-1795), and later as Deputy Chief of the U.S. Army (as Major General; 1799-1800). A passionate and controversial figure, Hamilton established the basis for the economic powerhouse that the United States would become, only to be senselessly killed in a duel by Aaron Burr, the Vice President of the United States, across the Hudson River in Weehawken, New Jersey on July 12, 1804. Upon learning of his death there was general lamentation in New York, and other Federalist city strongholds, such as Boston and Philadelphia. Charles Biddle, Aaron's Burr friend, admitted there was as much lamentation as when George Washington died. Hamilton's public funeral was financed by the merchants of New York. Historian Ron Chernow describes the funeral scene: "... New York militia units set out at the head of the funeral procession, bearing their arms in reversed position, their muzzles pointed downward. Numerous clergymen and members of the Society of the Cincinnati trooped behind them.... Preceded by two small black boys in white turbans, eight pallbearers shouldered Hamilton's corpse, set in a rich mahogany casket with his hat and sword perched on top. Hamilton's gray horse trailed behind with the boots and spurs of its former rider reversed in the stirrups." (p. 711) Hamilton was both hated and loved with passion. There was no middle ground for the sentiments he evoked during his lifetime. Nevertheless, both friends and foes marveled at his genius. Chernow's book has an interesting amalgam of opinions about Hamilton by famous contemporaries who knew him: New York Judge Ambrose Spencer who frequently presided over legal courtroom battles opined that Hamilton "was the greatest man his country ever produced... In power of reasoning Hamilton was the equal of [Daniel] Webster... In creative power, Hamilton was infinitely Webster's superior." (p. 189) Supreme Court Justice Joseph Story: "I have heard Samuel Dexter, John Marshall, and Chancellor (Robert R.) Livingston say that Hamilton's reach of thought was so far beyond theirs that by his side they were schoolboys -- rush tapers before the sun on noonday." (p. 189) Fisher Ames: "With other men, law is a trade, with him it was a science." (p. 190) Rev. John M. Mason: "...the greatest statesman in the western world, perhaps the greatest man of the age." (p. 714) Hamilton's friend Robert Troup: "I used to tell him that he was not content with knocking down [his opponent] in the head, but that he persisted until he banished every little insect that buzzed around his ears." (p. 190) John Quincy Adams, son of one of Hamilton's most vociferous critics and intemperate enemy, John Adams, admitted that Hamilton's financial system "operated like enchantment for the restoration of public credit." (p. 481) Occasionally political enemies rendered backhanded praise for Hamilton. Thomas Jefferson wrote to his friend and collaborator James Madison about the time of the Jay Treaty (a winning political issue for the Republicans) in 1793: "He is really a colossus to the anti-Republican party. Without numbers, he is a host [i.e., an army] within himself... We have only middling performances to oppose him. In truth, when he comes forward, there is nobody but yourself, who can meet him." (p. 496) Madison did not accept the challenge. He opposed Hamilton legislatively but not with the pen, and the Treaty was approved for the good of the country, which was totally unprepared for war. When Jefferson was President of the United States, he charged Albert Gallatin, his new Secretary of the Treasury and a political foe of Hamilton, to rifle through files, dig up any financial material in the Department incriminating Hamilton of malfeasance. Gallatin went at it with gusto. Gallatin wrote years later: "Well Gallatin, what have you found? [Jefferson asked]. "I answered: 'I have found the most perfect system ever formed. Any change should be made in it would injure it. Hamilton made no blunders, committed no frauds. He did nothing wrong.' " (pp. 646-647) Despite their criticisms, both Jefferson and Madison as Presidents left the Hamiltonian economic system largely in place. The praise was not restricted to sectarian Americans. The French Revolution exile, the duc de La Rochefoucald-Liancourt, noted; "the lack of interest in money, rare anywhere, but even rarer in America is one of the most universally recognized traits of Mr. Hamilton." In fact, although Hamilton would not take cases in which he deemed the defendant guilty, he frequently undertook to defend many indigent legal cases. (p. 188) And the famous Charles Maurice de Talleyrand-Perigord, arguably the greatest diplomat-statesman in history, who got to know Hamilton during his two year exile in America, opined: "I consider Napoleon, Fox, and Hamilton the three greatest men of our epoch and, if I were forced to decide between the three, I would give without hesitation the firs place to Hamilton. He divined Europe." Talleyrand further told an American traveler that he had known nearly all the marked men of his time, but that he had never known one on the whole equal to Hamilton. (p. 466) Posterity, in the voice of Senator Henry Cabot Lodge has justly judged Hamilton: "We look in vain for a man who, in an equal space of time, has produced such direct and lasting effect upon our institutions and history." (p. 481) And Ron Chernow himself, who remained for the most part objective and dispassionate in the book, wrote: "If Washington was the father of the country, and Madison the father of the Constitution, then Hamilton is the father of the American government." (p. 481) Hamilton succeeded with almost all the programs he conceived including the First Bank of the United States, the funding of the national debt, the American tax system, the efficient Custom Service, the inception of the Coast Guard; as Deputy Chief of the U.S. Army, Hamilton even contained the Whiskey Rebellion without bloodshed -- all of which promoted the peace and prosperity of the new nation. When asked, during a dinner meeting at the historic Fraunces Tavern, "Who was right about America, Jefferson or Hamilton?", another Hamilton biographer, Willard Sterne Randall responded briefly, "Jefferson for the eighteenth century, Hamilton for modern times." That is a good summation with which Chernow also would have agreed. Miguel A. Faria Jr., M.D. is Associate Editor in Chief and World Affairs Editor of Surgical Neurology International. He is Clinical Professor of Surgery (Neurosurgery, ret.) and Adjunct Professor of Medical History (ret.), Mercer University School of Medicine. Dr. Faria is the author of Cuba in Revolution -- Escape From a Lost Paradise (2002). He is the author of numerous articles on politics, history, and science, including "Stalin's Mysterious Death" (2011) and "The Political Spectrum -- From the Extreme Right and Anarchism to the Extreme Left and Communism" (2011 -- all posted at the author's websites: www.haciendapub.com & www.drmiguelfaria.com

Chernow's meticulously researched story about Alexander Hamilton is well worth the read in times such as we live. This illuminating portrait of the birth and early years of our republic, and Hamilton's pivotal role, should be required reading for all citizens concerned with future of this great nation. Chernow sets the record straight by the telling of the true nature of the political machinations afoot to besmirch the towering figure that was Alexander Hamilton. His ongoing commentary throughout the tale belies a sensitive, if not prescient, reading of the times, of human nature and of the souls involved in this dramatic and awe inspiring history. The fracas and frustrating scenes of today's American political goings-on can now be seen with a new light after reading this incredibly well researched history. By stripping away all of the malicious and duplicitous and self serving commentary about Hamilton, Chernow paints a true picture of what really went down for this poor man. From his immigrant roots to his amazing sacrifices in public office to his tragic, heart wrenching demise, we see a courageous, but flawed human. Hamilton's industry and prodigious accomplishments are awe inspiring and terrifying at the same time. Chernow's exhaustive research and meticulous annotation throughout gives credence and veracity to the tale; Hamilton would be proud. It is as if the author was possessed of the spirit and drive of his subject himself. As something of a student of American history and politics, I can attest that this is by far the best book I've ever read on the subject matter. Looking at contemporary politics with a newly informed framework and mindset, it makes total sense that Mr. Trump can be prevailing the way he is today. He is a most pernicious, demagogic, immoral and unprincipled a human being as has ever sprung up from the body politic of America. The insanity of Mr. Trump's success gives credence to Hamilton's fear that the American people might not be capable of discerning that this truly despicable person is not fit for the highest office in the land. That he just panders to the basest of human failings and weaknesses is not apparent to his ardent supporters boggles the mind of right thinking people the world over. On the other hand, my faith in American political wisdom holds that we shall see a moderate and sensible outcome. Fanatics and demagogues don't play well with the moderate, middle of the road American sentiment. Which Hamilton saw and defended and cultivated. And it is my fervent hope this moderating spirit of the general public will check the excessive, nasty and brutish sectors of the body politic that has thrust Mr. Trump onto the national stage. (I believe that Faith is needed but energetic action is required to effect the right outcome.) My further hope is that the system will work just as Hamilton had designed the system to work. Checks and balances to protect and to preserve the liberty we hold so dear and which is the envy of those oppressed by the flawed and poorly constructed, unenlightened governments alive and well that capriciously rule billions the world over, stifling human progress at every turn and chance. Let me close by saying Mr. Chernow has given us a gift of immense value. A clear understanding of what a truly American character is made of, what a beautiful yet flawed human being can accomplish and a subtle call to action to all of us lest we lose this great enterprise to the folly of human weakness. We need to know our past clearly and without prejudice in order to move forward and to positively contribute to the enlightenment of future generations and the advancement of human civilization. South Jamesport, NY 9th July 2016

I had previously read about Alexander Hamilton in books about John Adams, George Washington and the Revolution. I knew that Hamilton had been essential to the birth, and growth, of the United States. However, Ron Chernow's book has deepend my knowledge, understanding and appreciation of this multi-talented individual, without whom the United States of America wouldn't be what it is today. Even if Chernow is obviously a fan of Hamilton (there is much to be impress about) he didn't left out his many deficiencies such as his hard to control attraction to women (which lead to the Maria Reynolds scandal and the downfall of his political carreer). The partnership between Hamilton and Washington is without equal in America's history, Not only did it last almost a lifetime, ending only with Washington's death, but both men benefited handsomely from it. The clear winners however were the American people. Finally, what is truly fascinating about that period of American history is the political, and personnal struggles of Federalist versus Republicans. To read about the Jefferson-Hamilton rivalry, about the Hamilton-Burr enmity that lead to the fatal duel is truly interesting and will certainly have you yearn for more... A must read book if you wish to understand how the US was born.

Help me to better understand the history of American early times.

Wenn ich mein Jahr mit einem Wort beschreiben sollte, wäre es wohl "Hamilton". Die historische Figur kannte ich zwar, jedoch nur sehr vage - bis mir von einem Freund permanent das Musical von Lin Manuel Miranda empfohlen wurde. Irgendwann konnte ich mich nicht mehr wehren und hörte mir die Stücke an, was mein musikalisches Leben stark veränderte. Mittlerweile kann ich jedes Lied auswendig, doch das reichte mir nicht. Ich wollte mehr über Alexander Hamilton und sein Leben erfahren, denn nur ein Musical kann es natürlich nicht genau wiedergeben. Deshalb bin ich bei der offensichtlichsten Wahl angelangt, "Alexander Hamilton" von Ron Chernow. Das Buch ist aktuell nur in englischer Sprache verfügbar, was für mich zwar kein Problem ist. Andere sollten sich jedoch bewusst sein, dass aufgrund der historischen Aufarbeitung der Person gute Kenntnisse benötigt werden. Dann aber wird man hier genau das finden, was man möchte. Vom Start, einer kleinen Einführung durch das Leben der älteren Elizabeth Schuyler Hamilton, über das gesamte Leben eines bemerkenswerten Mannes. Ron Chernow schafft es dabei die Details so darzulegen, dass man unbedingt weiterlesen muss und sich gar keine Pausen gönnen will. Das wird zwar aufgrund der Länge schwer, dennoch verschlang ich das Buch. Hier erhält man dann auch eine genauere Aufarbeitung einiger Themen, die im Musical verschönt wurden. Gerade seine Aktivitäten im Krieg werden hier derart ausführlich aufgearbeitet, dass man noch mehr Respekt vor dem Mann erhält. Auch seine Beziehung mit anderen historischen Figuren, allen voran Aaron Burr, ist stets interessant und interessant dargestellt. Dabei stört es gar nicht, dass Chernow gerne abschweift und vom Thema abkommt, denn das tut er genau an den Stellen, an denen man als Leser mehr von den Umgebenheiten hören möchte. Der Schreibstil unterstützt das, denn trotz vieler Details ist das Thema nie zu trocken. Tatsächlich entwichen mir sogar mehrfach die Tränen, und das ganz ohne lyrische und musikalische Unterstützung von Lin Manuel Miranda. "Alexander Hamilton" von Ron Chernow ist ein Buch, das jeder lesen sollte, der sich für amerikanische Geschichte interessiert. Alexander Hamilton war wirklich eine besondere Person, sowohl in seinen Sternstunden als auch in den Momenten, in denen er gravierende Fehler beging und selbst zur Schattenfigur wurde. Eine perfektere Aufarbeitung seines Lebens gibt es nicht, weshalb ich gerne fünf Sterne vergebe und das Buch definitiv an jeden weiterempfehle, der die Ohrwürmer des Musicals nicht mehr herausbekommt.

Muy buen libro , te mantiene leyendo con cada página que avanzas , es algo adictivo. El formato Kindle es perfecto para este libro pues tienes la opción de ver la explicación de ciertas palabras que pueden ser complicadas y tienes la opción de diccionario si quieres saber el significado. Excelente experiencia.

Alexander Hamilton’s story has been made famous by the popular musical that bears the same name. The musical has successfully roused my interest in his biography on which it is based because I want to fill the gaps in between scenes and have a deeper grasp of the relationships and antagonism between characters. I also find Hamilton an intriguing, controversial and complex character worth exploring, something that a musical does not permit. First let’s appreciate the skills of the biographer. His subject was a great man with eloquence and many talents. His breath of knowledge and knowhow few could match, covering first and foremost law, then finance and economics, military administration and tactics, and science of government. He was “a thinker and doer”, “unashamedly brainy to appeal to the masses” (p.627). He was a visionary, well ahead of his time, and a fierce pioneer, who was effective in meticulously forging a way to turn his vision into reality. He laid down the constitutional framework and built the federal financial system – institutional infrastructure needed for the flourishing of this modern market economy when America was still a largely rural economy. He was a powerful steam engine spearheading towards a future that only few could see. When he was so far ahead of time, he found himself a lone voice in the wilderness. He was given the opportunity and he did not squander it but made something out it – he could because he was full of ideas. Proposals after proposals, he never lost sight of his vision. He tried to explain but out of self-interest or out of their wildest imagination, he invited critics and suspicions all his life. He put his head down as the doer, but calumnies plagued his whole career. For a man of honour, he fought many battles to clear his reputation. Sadly he “was villainized in American history textbooks as an apologist of privilege and wealth” (p. 629) which was quite the opposite to who he was – a self-made man, a fervent abolitionist and a staunch believer in meritocracy. Hamilton was a prolific writer; he incessantly published papers, official reports, pamphlets, essays, newspaper articles. In addition, there were private papers and letters. Because his life intertwined with so many prominent figures of the time, one can imagine the colossal volume of materials to sieve through and sort for the biography, which demonstrates the biographer’s excellent organisational skills. The end product flows smoothly as if without effort. Secondly, I am most impressed by the versatility of the biographer’s writing skill. A biographer is naturally a narrator. However, Hamilton is a challenging subject as the biographer is required to make lucid many varied technical details of his pioneer thinking in historical critical moments that shaped the world, such as the development and debate on the Constitution, Hamilton’s federal fiscal and financial system and its opposition, the development of political thoughts for a new country, in particular the inner conflict of Hamilton if a republican government could deliver a proper balance of liberty and order. I believe the biographer has done a marverllous job in introducing us to the controversies that Hamilton was embroiled in. But my biggest enjoyment of this biography is probably not the intent of the biographer! It reads to me the redemptive story of Hamilton – his testimony of God! To me who shares his faith, it is an exhilarating read to see the providence of God working marvellously in his life. His life, plainly and faithfully told by the biographer, speaks for itself. Things that the biographer finds puzzling, like Hamilton’s injudicious behaviour in the whole Reynolds Affair at the height of his power and fame, his vision for the army during the Quasi-War with France in 1798-1800, the “execrable” idea of the Christian Constitutional Society, and his preoccupation with religion in his final years, make sense if one understands the challenges of Christian walk. For example, I see striking parallels in David sinning with Bathsheba and Hamilton sinning with Reynolds – the injudicious behaviour, the coverup and the subsequent compulsion to confess when exposed. His many inner struggles also makes perfect sense in the light of the Bible. I find his dying scene particularly moving for its gospel light. When Eliza was called to his deathbed following the duel with Burr, Hamilton’s words of comfort to her were, “Remember, my Eliza, you are a Christian.” Do we feel the weightiness of that name? He was entreating her to live like one worthy of that call. However powerful, influential and capable he was on earth, at his deathbed, he could promise nothing except to point Eliza to their Almighty God who is greater than he, loves her more perfectly and in whom their hope is found. He died a repentant sinner, having “a tender reliance on the mercy of the Almighty, through the merits of the Lord Jesus Christ.” He repeated to the Bishop present that “he was dying in a peaceful state, and that he was reconciled to his God and his fate.” On our measures, it was a tragic end to a great man’s life, but God single-handedly turned it into a good ending of eternal hope that we all share. Burr, on the other hand, was a contrast to Hamilton. Both were orphaned from a young age. Who was more likely to be a principled and religious man with integrity from family background? I imagine it would have been Burr because he was the grandson of Jonathan Edwards, the renowned American theologian of all time, while Hamilton was illegitimate. But then Burr was “a dissipated, libidinous character” and “had been openly accused of every conceivable sin: deflowering virgins, breaking up marriages through adultery, forcing women into prostitution, accepting bribes, fornicating with slaves, looting the estates of legal clients. The grandson of theologian Jonathan Edwards had sampled many forbidden fruits (p. 682).” He lived to 77 while Hamilton died in his hand at the age of 49 in the infamous duel. What memory did he leave? “The death mask of Aaron Burr is haunting and unforgettable, with the nose twisted to the left, the mouth crooked, and the expression grotesque, as if all the suppressed pain of his life were engraved in his face by the end. John Quincy Adams left this epitaph of the man: “Burr’s life take it all together, was such as in any country of sound morals his friends would be desirous of burying in profound oblivion.” (p.722)” What biblical doctrine does it shine out for us? Election of God’s people – i.e. they are chosen by God and not the other way round. How does the biographer achieve telling all these without it being intentional? He seeks to tell the story faithfully and authentically and comprehensively, and the story will speak for itself.