Alexander Hamilton

Abridged
Author: Ron Chernow
Narrator: Grover Gardner
Genres: History, Biographies
Publisher: Penguin Audiobooks
Date: April 2004
Length: 11 hours
Ratings:
  • Book Rating: 4/5
Formats:
  • CD

Overview

From National Book Award winner Ron Chernow, a landmark biography of Alexander Hamilton, the Founding Father who galvanized, inspired, scandalized, and shaped the newborn nation.

Ron Chernow, whom the New York Times called "as elegant an architect of monumental histories as we've seen in decades," now brings to startling life the man who was arguably the most important figure in American history, who never attained the presidency, but who had a far more lasting impact than many who did.

An illegitimate, largely self-taught orphan from the Caribbean, Hamilton rose with stunning speed to become George Washington's aide-de-camp, a member of the Constitutional Convention, coauthor of The Federalist Papers, leader of the Federalist party, and the country's first Treasury secretary. With masterful storytelling skills, Chernow presents the whole sweep of Hamilton's turbulent life: his exotic, brutal upbringing; his brilliant military, legal, and financial exploits; his titanic feuds with Jefferson, Madison, Adams, and Monroe; his illicit romances; and his famous death in a duel with Aaron Burr in July 1804.

For the first time, Chernow captures the personal life of this handsome, witty, and perennially controversial genius and explores his poignant relations with his wife Eliza, their eight children, and numberless friends. This engrossing narrative will dispel forever the stereotype of the Founding Fathers as wooden figures and show that, for all their greatness, they were fiery, passionate, often flawed human beings.

Alexander Hamilton was one of the seminal figures in our history. His richly dramatic saga, rendered in Chernow's vivid prose, is nothing less than a riveting account of America's founding, from the Revolutionary War to the rise of the first federal government.

Reviews (34)

Good, not great

Written by Stephen J. Sink from Portage, IN on December 1st, 2008

  • Book Rating: 3/5

This was an enjoyable biography. I also liked the history of the Revolutionary War and early nation-building it contained. It filled in a number of gaps in my understanding, particularly about Hamilton's relations with Washington, Jefferson, Madison, etc. I came away, though, feeling like I knew quite a bit more information ABOUT Hamilton without having much connection to him as a person. The whole Burr duel fiasco was so frustrating to listen to. What a waste!

Good, but only if you are intertested in this topic

Written by RML on October 6th, 2008

  • Book Rating: 3/5

It is a dry read. The book is for those interested in the beginnings of economic theory and the history of economics. It is also for those interested in 18th century history and want to get additional details about this period. This is a a commentary of the book. It excerpts parts of the book but attempts to provide background and comment about the book without opinion.

Well done protrait of interesting and important character in US History

Written by Listener from Thousand Oaks, CA on September 18th, 2008

  • Book Rating: 4/5

Book allowed me to weave together a fuller story of a fabled person. Without judging its accuracy, portrayal seems balanced and full of interesting details about his complex personality. I found the book interesting and recommend it.

Alexander Hamilton

Written by Kathy Jernigan on May 9th, 2008

  • Book Rating: 5/5

This is a supberb book. I was as interested on disc 11 as I was on disc 1. The look into this great mans life and the people he came in to contact with is just amazing. A very good listen and I would recommend it to young people as well as adults.

Alexander Hamilton

Written by Jean from Santa Cruz, CA on February 27th, 2008

  • Book Rating: 5/5

This is an excellent bio of Alexander Hamilton. It had been along time since I had read anything on Hamilton and was surprised at how much I had forgotten or did not know. I mostly remember the famous duel and forgot all his work as treasurer and with Washington during the war. Great book. I have come to prefer bio's in audio version rather than reading.

Alexander Hamilton

Written by Clark Malak from Redding, CA on December 3rd, 2007

  • Book Rating: 5/5

An outstanding book. The challenge in a biography of such a seminal character is to blend the personal history with his role in public life, and this book does so superbly. The other theme of the book is really not about Hamilton as much as it is about the challenges faced by those who were there to both witness and take part in the birth of this great nation. Some of those challenges were physical, and the book certainly outlines those. But the most intriguing challenges were ones involving the sort of union to be had, challenges which face many third world nations still today. I strongly recommend this book.

Hamilton Book Review

Written by William Kurry on November 29th, 2007

  • Book Rating: 4/5

Well written and fast moving. A great read. If this is the abridged version, it certainly seems like enough for me. I recommend...... BK

Hamilton

Written by Adam from New York, NY on October 26th, 2007

  • Book Rating: 3/5

Fairly interesting book on one of America's greatest men.Everyone should be required to read a book about Alexander Hamilton-the true father of this country.

Packs a punch

Written by Shane Nixon from Burlington, NC on October 24th, 2007

  • Book Rating: 4/5

WOW 11 discs and I was as into it on 11 as I was on 1. There should be a subtitle that this book is also a fairly good cliff notes version of several other biographries. Jefferson, Monroe, Madison, Washington, and at least a couple more are all given enough time to call them almost mini-biographies inside the greater one. Well written and well read, this is excellent. It would help to be a history buff, but could be enjoyable even if not.

Alexander Hamilton

Written by Beverly Edgmon on September 22nd, 2007

  • Book Rating: 4/5

Worth reading. I feel an unexpected sadness for Hamilton and his family in his life trials.