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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.
greekgeek4's review against another edition
3.0
Written like a novel. Not much discussion of her sources or how she comes to her conclusions, which is important when writing about someone who famously is missing documents.
whitneyswin's review against another edition
5.0
I didn’t realize until I read the author’s note that this is the first full-length biography of Eliza Hamilton. It was a fantastic biography that was very well-written, balanced in opinion, and full of interesting facts and stories. It’s not your typically heavy-duty quote and reference-driven biography, but written in a fiction-style that is much easier and more enjoyable to read. I initially read this book in anticipation of seeing the musical Hamilton (and wasn’t in a rush to read Ron Chernow’s epic biography), and I’ve always believed that Eliza was the more interesting character in history. I was not wrong.
This biography turns the spotlight away from Alexander and focuses on Eliza — who very much shied away from attention her whole life, but whose life is definitely worth learning about. She was an incredible woman who was fiercely loyal in her love for Hamilton and her commitment to preserving his memory from being tarnished by his political enemies. She was also a loving mother to more than just her own children and that love created a legacy that still exists today.
I highly recommend this book to anyone who wants to learn about one of the most interesting characters of the American Revolution and the early days of U.S. history, whose story has largely been relegated to the sidelines because of her role as the wife of a Founding Father. She should instead be known as a Founding Mother and given equal recognition because without her hard work and determination, history would not remember Alexander Hamilton for the good things he accomplished. I can’t wait to pass this book onto my friends and family so they can read it too.
This biography turns the spotlight away from Alexander and focuses on Eliza — who very much shied away from attention her whole life, but whose life is definitely worth learning about. She was an incredible woman who was fiercely loyal in her love for Hamilton and her commitment to preserving his memory from being tarnished by his political enemies. She was also a loving mother to more than just her own children and that love created a legacy that still exists today.
I highly recommend this book to anyone who wants to learn about one of the most interesting characters of the American Revolution and the early days of U.S. history, whose story has largely been relegated to the sidelines because of her role as the wife of a Founding Father. She should instead be known as a Founding Mother and given equal recognition because without her hard work and determination, history would not remember Alexander Hamilton for the good things he accomplished. I can’t wait to pass this book onto my friends and family so they can read it too.
sociallyconfused's review against another edition
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
4.5
j_rowley's review against another edition
4.0
The wife of Alexander. Birth to death. Very easy read. Makes an interesting case for his not having an affair, but instead doing something dodgy financially.
Tragedy to lose both son and husband to duels. Interesting and contradictory -- was a lady who liked to needlepoint but was a tomboy. Someone who didn't enjoy the public eye, but lived the social scene after no longer required.
Tragedy to lose both son and husband to duels. Interesting and contradictory -- was a lady who liked to needlepoint but was a tomboy. Someone who didn't enjoy the public eye, but lived the social scene after no longer required.