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Alexander Hamilton

By: Ron Chernow
Binding: Hardcover
Publisher: Penguin Books Ltd
ISBN: 1594200092
ISBN-13: 9781594200090
Released: 07 Apr 2004
RRP: £19.55
Average Rating:

Customer Reviews

Hamilton hagiography - By: Mark Klobas, 24 Apr 2005
Ron Chernow has long been a favorite author of mine. A former journalist with considerable knowledge of the workings of finance, he combines these two strengths to write superb books that illuminate the history of the American economy. His biography of Alexander Hamilton demonstrates his abilities to the fullest, as it offers one of the clearest descriptions of the foundations of American fiscal policy available. Yet this is secondary to the main theme of Chernow's biography, which is Hamilton's restless ambition, which fueled both his impressive accomplishments & his self-destructive conduct in public life.

Lucid as it is, though, Chernow's book also possesses some glaring flaws. While his command of financial detail is sure, his knowledge of the early republic is less so, which leads to occasional mistakes about the historical context. Moreover, while better balanced than previous studies of Hamilton, Chernow often dismisses or spins material that reflect poorly on his subject; even his affair with Maria Reynolds is explained in part as a consequence of his sense of chivalry. Negative interpretations are saved for Hamilton's opponents, who are viewed in the worst possible light - Thomas Jefferson is hypocritical, John Adams is vain & insecure, Aaron Burr is a duplicitous foe whose dual with Hamilton is constantly foreshadowed in the text. Such depictions sow doubt about the validity of the author's conclusions & mar what is other respects an excellent account of one of America's most important 'founding fathers.'

The prophet of modern America - By: Mr. D. Miles, 05 Apr 2005
It has accurately been said that Hamilton, more than any other founding father, accurately saw the potential superpower that America would become. While Jefferson favoured an agrarian economy (supported in the southern states by the abomination of slavery) & weak central government, Hamilton believed in a strong federal government, a competent military & saw that the United States would eventuallly overtake Britain as the world's greatest power. Hamilton's essential work in constructing the financial systems of America's new government turned the ailing country from an international bankrupt that no one would lend money to, into a viable nation with a strong economy. As Daniel Webster famously said of Hamilton, "He touched the dead corpse of the public credit & it leapt upon its feet."

Ron Chernow's book brings Hamilton to life with alll his brilliance, & alll his numerous faults, particularly his argumentative nature which contributed to the duel with Aaron Burr. The skill of Chernow is that he has written an impeccably researched book but is honest about areas which are uncertain, & he refrains from the leaps to judgement which so many modern biographers engage in. The narrative leaps off the page like a swashbuckling novel, & if this wasn't history, you would think that the events & adventures that he writes about were ridiculously improbable. To his credit, Hamilton was the only member of the founding generation who did not own slaves & was instrumental in founding the Maunmission society, which had as its task the abolition of slavery.

Ultimately one has an incredible portrait of the man whom Teddy Roosevelt described as "the man of most brilliant mind - Hamilton - whom we have ever developed in this country."

Brilliant Aide to Washington Battles His Political Enemies - By: Donald Mitchell, 20 Jul 2004
Alexander Hamilton was a man whom people either loved or hated while he lived. After he died, he received great accolades from almost everyone. As time passed, however, his political enemies circulated their false rumors about him with little opposition. As a result, he is the least well understood of the founding fathers of the American republic. If you read this book, you will find much to admire & much condemn about Hamilton . . . & will gain an enormous improvement in your understanding of the United States during the period from 1776 through 1804.

Alexander Hamilton was one of the first & most famous examples of living the American dream. He was born into poverty as an illegitimate child in the British West Indies. His intellect, drive & talent led others to encourage him to develop himself. Those factors led him to continue his studies in New York City at the predecessor to Columbia as the American Revolution began to break out. Hamilton quickly chose the side of the revolution & volunteered for military service. His talent soon brought him to the attention of George Washington who eventuallly elevated Hamilton to be his chief of staff. Throughout their mutual lives, Washington & Hamilton made an exceptional team. Washington knew how to lead & gain approval, & Hamilton knew how to get the dirty details done. Their collaboration continued throughout almost the whole Revolutionary War until Hamilton finallly received permission to head up his own troops.

After the Revolution, Hamilton became one of the leading attorneys in New York. His ability to argue & write was remarkable, & he used that talent well in working with James Madison to author the Federalist Papers which were critical to the passage of the U.S. Constitution. He also threw himself into efforts to help passage of that critical document.

When Washington became the first president under the Constitution, Hamilton became his Treasury secretary. In that role, Hamilton set up the basic administrative structure for the government, including how it would be funded & secure a stable currency. Most of his innovations were continued by successor presidents . . . even those who attacked Hamilton's innovations (such as Jefferson & Madison).

Hamilton's brilliant position in influencing the direction of the new country began to come under a dark cloud first by his admitted adultery with a married woman & later by his political indiscretions after Washington retired from politics. President Adams & he were at each other's throats, & Jefferson despised Hamilton. From his enemies came repeated rumors that Hamilton was a thief, a crook & a traitor.

By the time Jefferson was elected president, Hamilton had little influence except to annoy Aaron Burr who tied with Jefferson in electoral votes.

Within four years, Vice President Burr & Hamilton would meet in a duel that led to Hamilton's death at 49. His wife would live on for many more decades to raise their large family & deal with weak financial circumstances.

Like Adams, Hamilton was a prodigious writer. Drawing on those writings, Mr. Ron Chernow does a thorough job of piecing together the details of Hamilton's life & examining the truth or falseness of the many accusations against him. Mr. Chernow also makes a considerable effort to put Hamilton into context among Washington, Adams, Jefferson, Madison, Monroe & Burr. If you loved the recent biography of John Adams, you will be thrilled by this book because it will add to your perspective on Adams as well.

Mr. Chernow also does a fine job of pointing out what Hamilton & the others got right, what they made a mess of, & where they could have made improvements. It's a more candid view of the American Revolution than you have probably read before. I have never seen Jefferson portrayed in quite such a negative light before. Although Mr. Chernow sticks up for Hamilton, as most biographers do, I thought he was much more objective than I was accustomed to reading.

Although the book is about Hamilton, you cannot tell his story without telling the story of the American Revolution & the development of the Constitution. The book is excellent in both regards.

If you only read one biography about a founding father of the United States this year, I suggest that you make it Alexander Hamilton by Mr. Ron Chernow.