Take a photo of a barcode or cover
4.3 AVERAGE
4.3 AVERAGE
Incredibly well written and attention to detail... but way more dense and heavy than expected for the average reader. Wish I'd read prior to seeing the show on Broadway!
Interesting subject matter compellingly and poetically written gives a reader the best of both worlds. It is on such a plane that Chernow's Alexander Hamilton firmly resides.
Hamilton would be an interesting read at any time, but it feels especially poignant now in a presidential election year full of venom and vitriol. 2016 has certainly seemed like a dark year thus far, with dark clouds looming on every horizon. It is difficult in such times to not despair, lamenting the times. Chernow provides a window to the years of the U.S.'s infancy, the controversies of which provided enough cracks in the national foundation that Hamilton saw the inevitability of the Union's fissure a half century before it occurred. Reading the debates of the early republic reminds us that there is nothing new under the sun-- though our current times may feel unprecedented in their gloom, the American character (nor the nature of politicians) has not changed all that much from Hamilton's time. Hamilton's words of warning, particularly those invoking the danger of demagogues, feel as relevant today as when he first put pen to paper.
As I leave my 20's behind, and face a new phase of adulthood, Hamilton's biography feels instructive. His incredible life and formidable talents provoke so many questions as I ponder my own role in this world: how does one continue to evolve with the times? how do you continuously adapt your own place in a world that changes each dawning day? how do you remain informed and involved but avoid bitterness? how do you move from life stage to life stage, letting go the things of youth and embracing, with just as much passion and joy, new roles and occupations in life? how do you exercise your voice without feeling as though you are simply shouting into the rain?
Though Hamilton gives no conclusive answers to these kinds of questions, they are woven throughout his life's story. It is a story, in all, that leaves the reader in both awe and in mourning. Truly, finishing this book left me in a mournful sadness--not the kind accompanied by tears and sobs, but with a deeper sense of loss, the loss of what could have been. The week after so many tragic and violent deaths covered in the news, what could feel more poignant than the repeated loss of endless potential to the detriment of all those left behind?
Hamilton would be an interesting read at any time, but it feels especially poignant now in a presidential election year full of venom and vitriol. 2016 has certainly seemed like a dark year thus far, with dark clouds looming on every horizon. It is difficult in such times to not despair, lamenting the times. Chernow provides a window to the years of the U.S.'s infancy, the controversies of which provided enough cracks in the national foundation that Hamilton saw the inevitability of the Union's fissure a half century before it occurred. Reading the debates of the early republic reminds us that there is nothing new under the sun-- though our current times may feel unprecedented in their gloom, the American character (nor the nature of politicians) has not changed all that much from Hamilton's time. Hamilton's words of warning, particularly those invoking the danger of demagogues, feel as relevant today as when he first put pen to paper.
As I leave my 20's behind, and face a new phase of adulthood, Hamilton's biography feels instructive. His incredible life and formidable talents provoke so many questions as I ponder my own role in this world: how does one continue to evolve with the times? how do you continuously adapt your own place in a world that changes each dawning day? how do you remain informed and involved but avoid bitterness? how do you move from life stage to life stage, letting go the things of youth and embracing, with just as much passion and joy, new roles and occupations in life? how do you exercise your voice without feeling as though you are simply shouting into the rain?
Though Hamilton gives no conclusive answers to these kinds of questions, they are woven throughout his life's story. It is a story, in all, that leaves the reader in both awe and in mourning. Truly, finishing this book left me in a mournful sadness--not the kind accompanied by tears and sobs, but with a deeper sense of loss, the loss of what could have been. The week after so many tragic and violent deaths covered in the news, what could feel more poignant than the repeated loss of endless potential to the detriment of all those left behind?
Ron Chernow is crazy thorough on his reporting of Alexander Hamilton and the beginnings of the United States of America. He also does not bow to the romantic way that we often view America's forefathers. He lays bare the faults and virtues of Alexander Hamilton and those he was surrounded by but rarely makes judgement on them. My favorite part of the entire book, though, was the epilogue which he devoted wholly to Eliza Hamilton and the work that she did. I loved this book. If it wasn't such a long book I would immediately start reading it again.
informative
inspiring
tense
medium-paced
What a remarkable tome. Obviously, Lin-Manuel Miranda's adaptation looms large, and it's fascinating to see where Miranda departed from history to streamline or emphasize the dramatic impact of his musical. But it also does provide a nice shorthand for Chernow's book, and I ended up seeing the faces of Miranda and his co-stars when I read about these people rather than their real-life depictions.
'Alexander Hamilton' is absolutely a dense book, but not dense in the senes that it's difficult to read. It's dense in that there's a lot of information and even though Hamilton's life was relatively short compared to his fellow Founding Fathers, there was clearly much to explore, and I like that Chernow is willing to show bafflement and sometimes disgust with his subject rather than simply trying to launder Hamilton's life into a hagiography. It's a fair-handed, emotional book that makes us consider our place as Americans, what we owe to this country, what we owe to each other, and where we fall short in our own ideals. I'm incredibly grateful to have read it.
'Alexander Hamilton' is absolutely a dense book, but not dense in the senes that it's difficult to read. It's dense in that there's a lot of information and even though Hamilton's life was relatively short compared to his fellow Founding Fathers, there was clearly much to explore, and I like that Chernow is willing to show bafflement and sometimes disgust with his subject rather than simply trying to launder Hamilton's life into a hagiography. It's a fair-handed, emotional book that makes us consider our place as Americans, what we owe to this country, what we owe to each other, and where we fall short in our own ideals. I'm incredibly grateful to have read it.
Wow; this was a beast of a book. It was excellently researched and very well written (I needed to make liberal use of the dictionary feature on my kindle
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
slow-paced
There were parts that dragged or covered the same ground a few too many times, but for the most part this was a beautiful and full picture of a very interesting figure life.
informative
inspiring
A fantastic book. Thanks to the musical Hamilton for sparking interest in this fascinating man. I learned so much about the founding of the United States and about the political climate in which it was formed that is not so far removed from that of today. Hamilton's brilliance and charisma on so many fronts shone in Chernow's telling, as did his maddening fatal flaws which led to his senseless death. I was really enthralled with this book and a little sorry to have it end.