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avieherman's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
5.0
Stayed up late reading this, it was spectacular and very narrative-based and super accessible and readable. The stuff about the Reynolds’s Affair was absolutely fascinating and groundbreaking. I especially appreciated the authors note at the end.
dayslikepearls's review against another edition
3.0
I honestly liked the Author's Note more than the book itself because it gave context to Eliza Hamiton's life and highlighted the importance of Eliza's story being told when we know so much about her husband.
inky_7993's review against another edition
4.0
Listening to the Hamilton soundtrack for the millionth time, I realized that for as much as Eliza Hamilton is a central figure in the musical, we really didn't learn much about her life pre- or post-Alexander (which is fair, given that the play's not about her), and I wanted to know more. And what do you know, but someone has since written a biography of Eliza.
One of my main complaints is something many other reviewers here have noted—that we can't possibly know what Eliza felt at certain moments in her life, nor her inner thoughts, yet in many places in this book they're written as fact. Seeing the immense notes section at the end of the book, I hoped to see some correspondence (or something) to corroborate these sentences, but that doesn't seem to be the case. My other unsurety in this book is the argument that the Reynolds Pamphlet was a cover-up for insider trading. It's an interesting hypothesis, but being so far removed (and with the evidence gone), I don't think we can ever truly know the truth.
Despite these liberties, I very much enjoyed learning about the life of the wife of one of the Founding Fathers. I've always been interested in women's history, in the figures who for most of history have gotten shunted aside for their more famous husbands, fathers, and brothers. It was fascinating to learn, for example, that at a young age Eliza accompanied her father to the council meeting of the Six Nations; that she was friends with Martha Washington while their husbands fought in the Revolutionary War; that Eliza seems never to have believed Alexander was unfaithful; and that Eliza traveled West to visit her son William in Wisconsin Territory when she was already elderly, quite a journey in those days. And that's to say nothing of what we already knew from the play: that she helped found an orphanage and raised money for the Washington Monument with Dolley Madison. All this, and she raised a family and ran a household. If any woman of the Revolutionary era deserves a biography of her own, surely it's Eliza Hamilton.
All in all, Eliza Hamilton is a good book to pick up if you're looking for a light history of one of the Founding Mothers. She lived a very long and interesting life, and I'm happy to know about her story.
One of my main complaints is something many other reviewers here have noted—that we can't possibly know what Eliza felt at certain moments in her life, nor her inner thoughts, yet in many places in this book they're written as fact. Seeing the immense notes section at the end of the book, I hoped to see some correspondence (or something) to corroborate these sentences, but that doesn't seem to be the case. My other unsurety in this book is the argument that the Reynolds Pamphlet was a cover-up for insider trading. It's an interesting hypothesis, but being so far removed (and with the evidence gone), I don't think we can ever truly know the truth.
Despite these liberties, I very much enjoyed learning about the life of the wife of one of the Founding Fathers. I've always been interested in women's history, in the figures who for most of history have gotten shunted aside for their more famous husbands, fathers, and brothers. It was fascinating to learn, for example, that at a young age Eliza accompanied her father to the council meeting of the Six Nations; that she was friends with Martha Washington while their husbands fought in the Revolutionary War; that Eliza seems never to have believed Alexander was unfaithful; and that Eliza traveled West to visit her son William in Wisconsin Territory when she was already elderly, quite a journey in those days. And that's to say nothing of what we already knew from the play: that she helped found an orphanage and raised money for the Washington Monument with Dolley Madison. All this, and she raised a family and ran a household. If any woman of the Revolutionary era deserves a biography of her own, surely it's Eliza Hamilton.
All in all, Eliza Hamilton is a good book to pick up if you're looking for a light history of one of the Founding Mothers. She lived a very long and interesting life, and I'm happy to know about her story.
greatlittlestories's review against another edition
5.0
I'm pretty selective with what nonfiction I read, as I fully admit it has to be very well-written and interesting to keep my attention. This selection for my book club was the perfect fit.
I also admit that my entire knowledge base about Eliza Hamilton is rooted in the HAMILTON musical, but the musical did not exaggerate her devotion to her Alexander and her family, her role in the formative years of the United States as more than "just" the wife of a general, and her lasting impact on education and children in the state of New York. Eliza lived to an impressive 97 years of age, and she never stopped working towards improving the lives of children and remained somewhat of America's matriach until her death in 1854. She was equally comfortable dining with Presidents, entertaining high profile guests in her home, and living a quiet country life. In many ways, Eliza was intensely private, burning much of her personal correspondence and staying out of Alexander's limelight; but she was a staunch advocate for her own and her daughters' independence in an avidly patriarchal society. Daughter Angelica, named for Eliza's beloved sister, struggled with mental illness for much of her life, but Eliza took control of Angelica's care instead of relegating her to an asylum as was the custom. I could continue recapping my newfound fascination with this remarkable woman, but...just read it!
The audio of the book was excellent, and the writing reads more like narrative fiction - no dry historical accounts here. If you need a biography or nonfiction to fill a reading challenge, or just for a fascinating account of a powerful woman in history, this one is a solid choice!
I also admit that my entire knowledge base about Eliza Hamilton is rooted in the HAMILTON musical, but the musical did not exaggerate her devotion to her Alexander and her family, her role in the formative years of the United States as more than "just" the wife of a general, and her lasting impact on education and children in the state of New York. Eliza lived to an impressive 97 years of age, and she never stopped working towards improving the lives of children and remained somewhat of America's matriach until her death in 1854. She was equally comfortable dining with Presidents, entertaining high profile guests in her home, and living a quiet country life. In many ways, Eliza was intensely private, burning much of her personal correspondence and staying out of Alexander's limelight; but she was a staunch advocate for her own and her daughters' independence in an avidly patriarchal society. Daughter Angelica, named for Eliza's beloved sister, struggled with mental illness for much of her life, but Eliza took control of Angelica's care instead of relegating her to an asylum as was the custom. I could continue recapping my newfound fascination with this remarkable woman, but...just read it!
The audio of the book was excellent, and the writing reads more like narrative fiction - no dry historical accounts here. If you need a biography or nonfiction to fill a reading challenge, or just for a fascinating account of a powerful woman in history, this one is a solid choice!
sierramay1025's review against another edition
5.0
All I can say is READ IT. A beautiful story of a remarkable woman.
caseymg's review
1.0
I read 200 pages of this and it was painful. The book goes on and on speculating about Alexander more than Eliza and it has no indication of factual basis. Can’t believe I paid for the kindle version. Wish I could get a refund.
laura_read_that's review against another edition
Shoddy research, questionable sources, fictionalized passages, and numerous claims without proof/sources. I can’t finish this book because the author clearly isn’t trustworthy. This is highly disappointing. Eliza deserves better. I hope somewhere there is a scholar writing a better biography of her remarkable life, because I eagerly await being able to read it.
keejit's review against another edition
4.0
Great read! Unfortunately spends alot of time on Eliza's childhood and years with Alexander, and glosses over alot of her adult life and achievements. Would have liked to read more of her efforts with public works and abolition, etc.
susandmci's review against another edition
4.0
A fascinating look at Eliza Hamilton's life and legacy and a picture of women's role's during the 18th and early 19th century.