2026 Reading Challenge
Alexander Hamilton

Questions About Alexander Hamilton

by Ron Chernow

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Answered Questions (47)

Hi, big Hamilton (musical) fan here. This looks like a great read, but the 800 pages seem a bit daunting. Is it worth the read?
Ron I'm on page 244 and it's fantastic. It dispels any illusion that our founding fathers and their representative states were united in the direction of …moreI'm on page 244 and it's fantastic. It dispels any illusion that our founding fathers and their representative states were united in the direction of the country. Even George Washington questioned the longevity of this experiment. Great read and it's nice to find out that there were opposing views and spirited debates during our infancy. Love the soundtrack and looking forward to selling a child to buy tickets to the show.(less)
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Who else has seen the musical and read the book, either before or after?
Alena Friedrich Listened to the entire soundtrack- seeing the musical in March. I got really interested Hamilton's life and the political details and started reading …moreListened to the entire soundtrack- seeing the musical in March. I got really interested Hamilton's life and the political details and started reading the book. Within 3 days I had read 200 pages. It's excellent.(less)
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Could you read and enjoy this with no real knowledge of American History?
John Greenwald Prior knowledge about this period of American history is not necessary to enjoy it. The good news is that by the end of the book you will have learned…morePrior knowledge about this period of American history is not necessary to enjoy it. The good news is that by the end of the book you will have learned a great deal.(less)
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It seems that the reputation of Hamilton has had its ebbs and flows, from (1) the glowing account by Chernow as the unappreciated creator of the institutions which forged the Republic to (2) the slave-owning plutocrat, bent on restricting democracy and empowering the financial elite and the rich. Which is it?
Evelyn Chernow addresses these issues in the book. Yes it's glowing but he continually addresses Hamilton's demons as well as his talents and virtues. He con…moreChernow addresses these issues in the book. Yes it's glowing but he continually addresses Hamilton's demons as well as his talents and virtues. He convinced me, and he has so much evidence-- all Hamilton's writing and accomplishments, which truly boggle the mind. As the other remark here specifies, Hamilton did not fit neatly into a category like elitist. He was truly singular in that regard. He was opposed to slavery although Chernow says that his wife brought five slaves into the household from her father's household. This is appalling but the impression given by Chernow is that Hamilton was always opposed to slavery and planning to fight slavery beyond what he had already done. I can't recall if the slaves were freed in his lifetime, will have to revisit. The early chapters, in particular, focus on the incredible cruelty to slaves in the islands and the impression that made on Hamilton. I have seen other scholars who disagree with this interpretation but for the most part, I find Chernow's explanation very convincing. (less)
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Hi you all. My maternal language isn't English and although I have a quite good level, I'm afraid this would be a very difficult to read. Can someone tell me if it is so?
Danny I would put the vocabulary around an advanced high school level. The trickier part is having a basic knowledge of the characters of the time. It kind …moreI would put the vocabulary around an advanced high school level. The trickier part is having a basic knowledge of the characters of the time. It kind of assumes you would know who the major figures of the Revolutionary period were. It's a big commitment so I don't recommend it as a first entry into US history, but I wouldn't let the writing scare you away.(less)
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