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Alexander Hamilton
Alexander Hamilton | Ron Chernow
In the first full-length biography of Alexander Hamilton in decades, National Book Award winner Ron Chernow tells the riveting story of a man who overcame all odds to shape, inspire, and scandalize the newborn America. According to historian Joseph Ellis, Alexander Hamilton is a robust full-length portrait, in my view the best ever written, of the most brilliant, charismatic and dangerous founder of them all. Few figures in American history have been more hotly debated or more grossly misunderstood than Alexander Hamilton. 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. To repudiate his legacy, Chernow writes, is, in many ways, to repudiate the modern world. Chernow here recounts Hamilton's turbulent life: an illegitimate, largely self-taught orphan from the Caribbean, he came out of nowhere to take America by storm, rising to become George Washington's aide-de-camp in the Continental Army, coauthoring The Federalist Papers, founding the Bank of New York, leading the Federalist Party, and becoming the first Treasury Secretary of the United States. Historians have long told the story of America's birth as the triumph of Jefferson's democratic ideals over the aristocratic intentions of Hamilton. Chernow presents an entirely different man, whose legendary ambitions were motivated not merely by self-interest but by passionate patriotism and a stubborn will to build the foundations of American prosperity and power. His is a Hamilton far more human than we've encountered beforefrom his shame about his birth to his fiery aspirations, from his intimate relationships with childhood friends to his titanic feuds with Jefferson, Madison, Adams, Monroe, and Burr, and from his highly public affair with Maria Reynolds to his loving marriage to his loyal wife Eliza. And never before has there been a more vivid account of Hamilton's famous and mysterious death in a duel with Aaron Burr in July of 1804. Chernow's biography is not just a portrait of Hamilton, but the story of America's birth seen through its most central figure. At a critical time to look back to our roots, Alexander Hamilton will remind readers of the purpose of our institutions and our heritage as Americans.
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dabbe
Alexander Hamilton | Ron Chernow
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Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks Perfect 👍🏻 3w
Eggs Perfect pairing👏🏻 3w
dabbe @Eggs 💚💙💚 3w
48 likes4 comments
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Eringogreen
Alexander Hamilton | Ron Chernow
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More than 700 pages…we‘re going to see how this goes.

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JenReadsAlot
Alexander Hamilton | Ron Chernow
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Pickpick

Omg this took me forever 🤦‍♀️ It was so detailed I'll stick with the musical! @Amiable #chunksterchallenge2023

Amiable Agree completely! I love Chernow but this wasn‘t my favorite one of his. Great job! 7mo
39 likes1 comment
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this_teacher_reads
Alexander Hamilton | Ron Chernow
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GinaKButler
Alexander Hamilton | Ron Chernow
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Mehso-so

Unpopular opinion: I did not love this. Hamilton is incredibly well-researched and very informative, but is just so dry compared to Chernow‘s other biographies.

This book is a good reminder that politics and the press are, and always have been, nasty business.

This was my first of 4 #chunksterchallenge2023 books. I‘m so glad to be on to the next one! @Amiable

JenReadsAlot Wow that was fast.... I'm slogging through around page 250! 13mo
Amiable Agreed! I'm so glad I read “Washington first because I might not have picked it up if I'd read this one before it. 13mo
K.Wielechowski I really enjoyed reading the first 3rd but when I got to the middle I struggled. Downloaded the audiobook just to get through it. 13mo
GinaKButler @JenReadsAlot @Amiable @K.Wielechowski Well, your comments are making me feel better! I *would* like to read more about Aaron Burr though. 13mo
CoverToCoverGirl Oh dear! It‘s unfortunate you didn‘t enjoy this one. I loved it, even more than Washington and Grant and I thought they were both brilliant. I‘m hoping to get to Titan soon. 13mo
30 likes5 comments
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Kelly326
Alexander Hamilton | Ron Chernow
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My February #bookspinbingo list. Lots of carryovers from last month and some new books. I am already working on Alexander Hamilton (my #chunksterchallenge book for 1st quarter) and Far From the Madding Crowd both of which I will finish this month.
#bookspin
#doublespin

TheAromaofBooks Woohoo!!!! 14mo
10 likes1 comment
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GinaKButler
Alexander Hamilton | Ron Chernow
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#chunksterchallenge2023 check in: I‘m a little more than halfway through. I‘m not enjoying this one as much as I loved Grant and Washington, but it‘s very informative…and it‘s a good reminder that politics have always been nasty.

@Amiable

Amiable Right? I had the exact same reaction to it. “Washington” is still my favorite Chernow! 14mo
SamAnne Washington is on my TBR for this year. 14mo
25 likes2 comments
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JenReadsAlot
Alexander Hamilton | Ron Chernow
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Hunkered down with Frankie and my #chunksterchallenge2023 read this morning!

GinaKButler I‘m reading this one, too! 14mo
JenReadsAlot @GinaKButler it's slow going, but I think it's good. 14mo
RaeLovesToRead Haiiii Frankie!!! 🥰🥰🥰 You so cute! 14mo
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GinaKButler @JenReadsAlot It‘s a little dry, but definitely informative! 14mo
dabbe Frankie says RELAX! ❣️🐾❣️ 14mo
BookNAround Frankie‘s the bomb! 14mo
39 likes6 comments
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Kelly326
Alexander Hamilton | Ron Chernow
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I watched Hamilton at the Straz in Tampa this afternoon with my daughter. Then started this chunkster for quarter 1 of the #chunksterchallenge for 2023 with @GinaKButler . 2023 is going to be a good one!

JenReadsAlot I'm reading that one too! 1y
GinaKButler Looking forward to an excellent reading year! 1y
Amiable I read this book before I saw the musical on Broadway—I‘m still amazed by what Lin-Manuel Miranda did with it! 1y
12 likes3 comments
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GinaKButler
Alexander Hamilton | Ron Chernow
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The first chunkster of 2023! 📚

#chunksterchallenge2023

Amiable Yay! I love a chunky Chernow! 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼 1y
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GinaKButler @Amiable So, we have a Chunkster, 2 Super-Chunksters, and a Chunkster-Mini lined up! 1y
JenReadsAlot I'm reading this one too! 1y
Amiable @GinaKButler Nice! I‘m sure you‘ll hit an Almost Chunkster at some point during the year, too. You guys are the poster kids for the Chunkster Challenge! 🙂 I have two Supers queued up but haven‘t decided on anything else yet. (edited) 1y
GinaKButler @Amiable I have 2 other chunksters on my list for the year, but I plan on reading them straight through. 🙈 #cantstopwontstop 1y
Amiable @GinaKButler ALL THE CHUNKSTER LOVE! 🙌🏼 1y
GinaKButler @JenReadsAlot Oh, yay! This author is so good! 1y
JenReadsAlot Grant is the only other book I've read by him. 1y
Amiable @JenReadsAlot His book about George Washington is fabulous! 1y
JenReadsAlot @Amiable Perhaps my pick for next year then?! 1y
GinaKButler @JenReadsAlot It‘s so good! 1y
CoverToCoverGirl Phenomenal read! Enjoy! 1y
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JenReadsAlot
Alexander Hamilton | Ron Chernow
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Going with this one for my #chunksterchallenge2023 pick! @Amiable

Amiable Great choice! 1y
GinaKButler I‘m reading this, too! 1y
35 likes2 comments
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vlwelser
Alexander Hamilton | Ron Chernow
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Mehso-so

I don't know what to tell you about this. It's 36 hours give or take. And there are no song or dance numbers. How that brilliant man turned this into a musical is beyond me. It's very interesting but the minutia is a bit boring.

#BookSpinBingo @TheAromaofBooks

TheAromaofBooks Woohoo!! 2y
41 likes1 comment
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Amiable
Alexander Hamilton | Ron Chernow
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Celebrated hubby‘s birthday by spending it with Alexander Hamilton and Company. So grateful that Broadway is open again! It was simply incredible. Still amazed that Lin Manuel Miranda managed to turn Ron Chernow‘s weighty nonfiction tome into this musical masterpiece.

Ruthiella I saw it a couple of months ago after TWO cancellations due to the pandemic. It was awesome. Nothing beats live theater! 2y
TrishB Loved it ❤️ 2y
MicheleinPhilly I‘m going to see it again next month. 🤗 2y
77 likes3 comments
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intothehallofbooks
Alexander Hamilton | Ron Chernow
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Dense, but this time in US/British history is one of my favorites to revisit. It‘s cool to be able to visualize events and people as I read about them. It‘s even more cool to be able to stop and research more about people, places, legislation, and battles as I‘m reading. Goes well with the Presidential and Constitutional podcasts. Also goes well with the TURN TV show (so, so good!!).

Scott Brick‘s narration is 💯 as expected.

howjessicareads I love Scott Brick! And Alexander Hamilton. This audiobook was my catnip. 3y
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MandaMarie123
Alexander Hamilton | Ron Chernow
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“The more I see, the more I find reason for those who love this country to weep over its blindness” - Alexander Hamilton

FlameImperium Irrelevant but your dog is so cute! 3y
5 likes2 comments
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MandaMarie123
Alexander Hamilton | Ron Chernow
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“Prejudice and private interest will be antagonists too powerful for public spirit and public good.”

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TuesdayReviews
Alexander Hamilton | Ron Chernow
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Evening plans.

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book-quet
Alexander Hamilton | Ron Chernow
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Pickpick

Finally finished this monstrosity. Very good book, Alexander Hamilton‘s life was fascinating. I had a hard time reading through the parts where he was Treasury Secretary (a lot of finance and economics). Also hard reading through the Adams and Jefferson years - a lot of bitchy dude drama, and they say women are the more emotional sex. Overall excellent read 5/5 would recommend if you like biographies and nonfiction. I cried a few times.

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TuesdayReviews
Alexander Hamilton | Ron Chernow
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“If Washington was the father of the country and Madison the father of the Constitution, then Alexander Hamilton was surely the father of the American government.”

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TuesdayReviews
Alexander Hamilton | Ron Chernow
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“If the laws are to be trampled upon with impunity, and a minority is to dictate to the majority, there is an end put at one stroke to republican government” - George Washington

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TuesdayReviews
Alexander Hamilton | Ron Chernow
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This line from a letter from Angelica to Eliza probably inspired the reference to sharing Hamilton in the musical:

“By my Amiable, you know that I mean your husband, for I love him very much and, if you were as generous as the old Romans, you would lend him to me for a little while.”

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TuesdayReviews
Alexander Hamilton | Ron Chernow
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It‘s hard for us to fathom today, but at the dawn of our country response to an epidemic became politicized.

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TuesdayReviews
Alexander Hamilton | Ron Chernow
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Hamilton, who never officially finished college, authored most of the Federalist Papers, served as Secretary of the Treasury, and received honorary doctorates from Columbia, Dartmouth, Princeton, Harvard, and Brown before he turned 40.

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TuesdayReviews
Alexander Hamilton | Ron Chernow
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Hamilton grasped a basic, fundamental truth about policy:

“Whoever considers the nature of our government with discernment will see that though obstacles and delays will frequently stand in the way of adoption of good measures, yet once adopted, they are likely to be stable and permanent. It will be far more difficult to UNDO than to DO.”

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TuesdayReviews
Alexander Hamilton | Ron Chernow
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Lin Manuel Miranda left out the flirtatious friendship between Angelica and Jefferson.

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TuesdayReviews
Alexander Hamilton | Ron Chernow
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“In the final tally, The Federalist Papers ran to 85 essays, with 51 attributed to Hamilton, 29 to Madison, and only 5 to Jay. Since Hamilton had not reckoned on Jay‘s illness and had expected to include Morris and Duer, he could have never anticipated that he and Madison would write so much in 7 months—some 175,000 words in all. . . . The Federalist ended up running to two volumes of about 600 pages.”

#TheManIsNonStop

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Juliwyant
Alexander Hamilton | Ron Chernow
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Started this book as part of a reading group months ago but work got in the way. Started over.....reading one chapter a day. Listening to unabridged audio while following along in my physical book. Not sure why....but I love listening while reading along :)

LatrelWhite I do too! 3y
Allylu Me too! My husband has read this book twice. 3y
62 likes2 comments
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TuesdayReviews
Alexander Hamilton | Ron Chernow
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“Few, if any, other founding fathers opposed slavery more consistently or toiled harder to eradicate it than Hamilton—a fact that belies the historical stereotype that he cared only for the rich and privileged.”

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TuesdayReviews
Alexander Hamilton | Ron Chernow
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“Blackstone taught Hamilton a reverential enthusiasm for the law itself. . . . Moreover, the law as Blackstone spelled it out resolved once and for all the tension Hamilton felt between liberty and law.” - Forrest McDonald

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TuesdayReviews
Alexander Hamilton | Ron Chernow
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“From the First Philippic of Demosthenes, [Hamilton] plucked a passage that summed up his conception of a leader as someone who would not pander to popular whims. ‘As a general marches at the head of his troops,‘ so should wise politicians ‘march at the head of affairs, insomuch that they ought not to wait the event to know what measures to take, but the measures which they have taken ought to produce the event.‘”

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Jen_Reads
Alexander Hamilton | Ron Chernow
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So apparently when I have trouble focusing on an audiobook or podcast while at work and I don‘t know what to listen to, Hamilton is my automatic go to.

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Graciouswarriorprincess
Alexander Hamilton | Ron Chernow
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My year in books. 190 books read this year. Six reading challenges completed.

rachelm 🙌🏼😍 3y
PurpleyPumpkin Fantastic!🎉 3y
See All 7 Comments
PurpleyPumpkin Happy New Year to you too! Wishing you all the best for 2021. 🥰 3y
Kenyazero Nice! 3y
Graciouswarriorprincess @Kenyazero Thank you and Happy New Year! 3y
Gissy Congratulations! 📚📚📚📚📚👏👏👏👏👏📚🎉🎊 3y
53 likes7 comments
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dariazeoli
Alexander Hamilton | Ron Chernow
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Andrew65 One I am wanting to read. 3y
45 likes2 stack adds1 comment
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MandaMarie123
Alexander Hamilton | Ron Chernow
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Each year, I choose a book for my “yearly read”and divide it into 12 parts. I begin each month by reading the next part in the book. My book for 2021 will be Alexander Hamilton and I‘m so excited!

rather_be_reading great idea! 3y
8 likes1 comment
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Brooke_H
Alexander Hamilton | Ron Chernow
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Pickpick

Excellent. Humanizes not only Hamilton, but also Jefferson, Adams, Washington, Burr, Laurens...etc. It's absolutely exhaustive, yet manages to (mostly) not be dry. I was kind of surprised at how the heartbreaking parts of Hamilton's story really managed to be legit upsetting, even though I already knew what was coming. The book begins with Eliza and ends with Eliza...I would read an 800-pager about her for sure.

(quarantine book #109)

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Brooke_H
Alexander Hamilton | Ron Chernow
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Relatable. At least we aren‘t dipping our masks in vinegar this time or chewing garlic... 🤔 #Hamilton #RonChernow #Biography #History

alisiakae I remember reading that section when I read this book, but 2020‘s pandemic definitely puts a different spin on it! 3y
Brooke_H @4thhouseontheleft Also so interesting that the Federalists and the Republicans are making how to treat the pandemic so political! Nothing changes! 😂 3y
K.Wielechowski I just recovered from covid and couldn‘t smell vinegar so that wouldn‘t be so bad for people who have it 😂 3y
See All 6 Comments
Brooke_H @K.Wielechowski Oh I‘m so happy you‘ve recovered!! How awful for you! 3y
K.Wielechowski @Brooke_H thank you!!! I‘m very lucky it was a mild/moderate case. 3y
cozypunk Thank goodness we now know to roast garlic cloves before eating them whole! 🤭 3y
17 likes6 comments
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LatrelWhite
Alexander Hamilton | Ron Chernow
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⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ #AlexanderHamilton finished yesterday. Loved it!💕

Pageturner1 that looks so cozy🍂🍁 very pretty 3y
17 likes1 stack add1 comment
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LatrelWhite
Alexander Hamilton | Ron Chernow
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Wow 1793 reads like 2020. Pandemic, face coverings, 😷no shaking hands, separating from family, Political bickering, and Law enforcement militia threats...who knew, we just repeat history never learn from it. 🤷🏽‍♀️

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LatrelWhite
Alexander Hamilton | Ron Chernow
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🍂Nothing like hot oatmeal & buttery raisin bread with some #AlexanderHamilton on a cold morning.🌨

Bookwormjillk That looks awesome 👏 3y
13 likes1 comment
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LatrelWhite
Alexander Hamilton | Ron Chernow
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🍂Loving this making a little headway. #AlexanderHamilton 🎧 #Sunday morning reading!

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LatrelWhite
Alexander Hamilton | Ron Chernow
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It‘s about to go down for the next few days!🤣

Few figures in American history have been more hotly debated or more grossly misunderstood than Alexander Hamilton. 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.