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  • Alexander Hamilton

  • Written by: Ron Chernow
  • Narrated by: Scott Brick
  • Length: 35 hrs and 58 mins
  • 4.8 out of 5 stars (118 ratings)

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Alexander Hamilton

Written by: Ron Chernow
Narrated by: Scott Brick
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Publisher's Summary

The inspiration for the hit Broadway musical Hamilton! 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 before—from 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.

©2004 Ron Chernow (P)2004 Penguin Audio

What the critics say

  • George Washington Book Prize Winner, 2005

"Comprehensive and superbly written." (Booklist)
"This is a fine work that captures Hamilton's life with judiciousness and verve." (Publishers Weekly)
"Literate and full of engaging historical asides. By far the best of the many lives of Hamilton now in print." (Kirkus Reviews)
"Scott Brick delivers a highly professional, straightforward narration that holds one's interest throughout. Straight narrative can become boring, and Brick is never that. Nor does he become lazy in the course of 36 hours. His voice and evident interest are fresh throughout." (AudioFile)

What listeners say about Alexander Hamilton

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Great story, amazing person, well narrated

For such a long book, it sure flew by fast! Highly recommended for anyone interested in history or biographers. Sparked my own interest in wanting to learn more about early American history - and I'm Canadian! Narration is at a good speed with excellent diction. Now looking forward to listening to all the other Ron Chernow books.

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Fascinating

This book is well made and Scott Brick narrated well. It was really interesting to listen to this book

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Excelleny Biography

A sympathetic but frank treatment of an amazing character. Thoroughly enjoyable and enlightening. Those who think we are living through the worst of political mud-slinging, in particular, might draw some philosophical comfort from the turmoils of history. Very pleased to have made the acquaintance of Alexander Hamilton and his contemporaries through this work.

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So many stories within a story

Learning about the creation of a nation and all who were involved was fascinating.

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A biography that reads like a novel

Listening to this audiobook, it’s easy to understand how Lin-Manuel Miranda found inspiration in it for the creation of his Tony Award-winning musical Hamilton. Ron Chernow doesn’t just recount events; he tells STORIES, complete with drama, conflict, and complex character studies.

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excellently delivered by Scott Brick!

loved this story it was very interesting to hear the real story that inspired the musical I adore.

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Chernow does it again

A true masterpiece. As with Rockefeller, Chernow has delivered a tour de force about one of the most influential Americans of all time. I cannot recommend highly enough.

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