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Alexander Hamilton, Revolutionary

Martha Brockenbrough (Goodreads Author)

4.01 · Rating details · 863 ratings · 156 reviews

"Complex, passionate, brilliant, flawed? Alexander Hamilton comes alive in Martha Brockenbrough's exciting biography Alexander Hamilton: Revolutionary, which is an essential read for teen fans of Hamilton the musical.

Discover the incredible true story behind the Tony Award-winning musical – Hamilton’s early years in the Caribbean; his involvement in the Revolutionary War; ...more

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Hardcover, 372 pages

Published September 5th 2017 by Feiwel & Friends

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Nov 14, 2017 Michael rated it it was amazing

This is an exceptional biographical story of Alexander Hamilton. While it's aimed at teens and young adults, and I haven't fit into those categories for some time, I found myself gripped by the narrative momentum and utterly engrossed in the personal story of this exceptional man. What you realize is that America has always been a fractious land, that disputes between states (should the federal government assume state debts or not?) and between ambitious individuals (Hamilton and Jefferson, Hami ...more

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Sep 21, 2020 Jessica rated it it was amazing

Shelves: nonfiction, youngadult, own

I've read the Chernow, and it was great, but this just became my go-to biography to recommend to anyone. It's very well-written, with a lively voice, with excellent pictures and maps, a bibliography, as well as other appendices talking about Revolutionary War weaponry, the slave trade, the sugar trade, and "the Sad Life of Aaron Burr."

But this is ESPECIALLY for Hamilton the musical fans. I did read a YA historical fiction about Alexander and Eliza, and there were several sly references to the mu ...more

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Apr 23, 2018 David Patneaude rated it it was amazing

Alexander Hamilton...My name is Alexander Hamilton...There's a million things I haven't done...Just you wait, just you wait...

So you've seen the play--the one that took Broadway by storm a few years ago--and you think you have a handle on everything you need to know about the man. But if you really want to know him, deep down, from the time he was born into poverty and shame on a slave island in the Caribbean, until he escaped to New York as a teen and found the education he'd craved, until he s Alexander Hamilton...My name is Alexander Hamilton...There's a million things I haven't done...Just you wait, just you wait...

So you've seen the play--the one that took Broadway by storm a few years ago--and you think you have a handle on everything you need to know about the man. But if you really want to know him, deep down, from the time he was born into poverty and shame on a slave island in the Caribbean, until he escaped to New York as a teen and found the education he'd craved, until he stepped into revolution and war and patriotic endeavors and brilliant governance and counsel and writings that lifted a young country out of debt and despair and dissonance, until he married the love of his life, until he made lifelong friends (including the father of our country) and bitter enemies, until he suffered loss and humiliation, until pride dealt him the kind of defeat that no man ever had dealt him, you must read Martha Brockenbrough's Alexander Hamilton, Revolutionary.

Martha has done an amazing job of researching and documenting Hamilton's life. As a writer who has written historical novels, I know what it takes to go back (in my case, only to the 1940s) and try to uncover truth and authenticity and lose everything you can't fit in and make what remains relevant and give it a shape. I can only imagine going back to the turn of the eighteenth century and before and putting together the history and biographies of Hamilton and all the interesting, brave, brilliant, flawed characters that populate this book.

The writing is intelligent and engaging and revealing. I've tended to think that this country got off to a tidy start: We declared our independence, fought a perfect war, whipped the British, united all the colonies, elected a president, and carried on neatly. Not so, and Martha lets the reader know that. The book is about Alexander Hamilton, but his activities and ambitions--his self--were so tied to the emergence of early America, that his life was the nation's life, and the nation's life was his.

So we learn about him, but we also learn about governance and war and taxes and slavery and states' rights and bravery and treachery and politics and banks and relations between nations and decisions about the country's future. We learn about loyalty, and infidelity. We learn about Washington and Jefferson and Madison and Adams and Monroe and Lafayette and lesser-known if not less significant players that Martha has brought back to life.

Kudos to the editors and designers of the book for giving it a vintage feel and including lots of illustrations and making sure everything comes off with a consistency that makes the reading flow.

I don't make predictions, but here's an exception: Twenty years from now, when the current crop of blockbuster books has long since gathered dust and gone out of print, copies of Alexander Hamilton, Revolutionary, will still be sitting on school and public library shelves or on their way home in some kid's (or adult's) backpack or visible on the screen of an e-reader (or whatever device is being used for the thing we call reading). Teachers will recommend it, librarians will replace it when it gets lost or worn, kids will use it as a reference, they'll write papers and reviews. It's gonna be timeless. ...more

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Aug 25, 2017 Jessica rated it really liked it

Finally a history book that isn't boring! This book flowed nicely, the chapters were short, and it is written in a way that makes Alexander Hamilton feel like someone you have met. More biographies on historical people and events should be written like this so anyone can enjoy it, not just historians. ...more

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Jan 01, 2018 Holly rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: hamilton

I really enjoyed this biography of Alexander Hamilton, which is definitely aimed at a YA audience of musical fans! It covers all the bases and is a great option for if you don't have the sticking power to do the Chernow. The writing style is entertaining and there are some great pictures and illustrations! I really liked the typesetting and the cover colour scheme too - it's just a really satisfying book on the aesthetics front! ...more

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Jan 25, 2018 Kayla rated it really liked it

Shelves: non-fiction, owned-books, ya, audiobooks

The only reason this is four stars and not five for is because it took me way to long to finish it and I think that partly is because the font color in the book is a light brown which was really hard on the eyes. But the actual writing was really good, very easy to read even though i did end up listening to more than half of this book in audible. The narrator was amazing and made it very enjoyable to listen. Very educational as well and I loved how it explored how complicated Hamilton was.

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Jan 15, 2020 Ellie rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: own-it

I mean I have no idea how to review nonfiction but here goes:

It was well-written, though it was not really like a story, more like facts and years being thrown at me, especially for the war section, but I definitely liked it and will try to read it again some other time?

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Apr 27, 2017 Rob rated it really liked it

This book is really amazing. It is overflowing with info about Hamilton, his family, his colleagues, and his role in the history of the United States. I had very little knowledge of his role or impact before getting this book in the mail. I now have a much more comprehensive understanding of what he brought to early governance as well as to the war and independence of America from British rule. Martha Brockenbrough is an incredibly talented author. Teen readers and adults will find a lot to love ...more

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Jan 15, 2018 Mrs. Jenny Cameron Paulsen rated it it was amazing

Shelves: favorites, fave-non-fiction

Delightful, informational read on this most fascinating of founding fathers, an immigrant who rose out of poverty through the fire of his tremendous intellect and talents to personify the very idea and ideals of a new America. I especially enjoyed the plethora of historical art and artifacts included to assist envisioning the past. Brockenbrough presents his flaws and achievements with exceptional readability. Friends, enemies, weaknesses, & strengths—all get their just due in the complexity of ...more

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Jul 07, 2017 Sarah Wagner rated it really liked it

Shelves: american-history, nonfiction, history

It's clear this biography was written for a young adult audience - it keeps a quick, readable face throughout and doesn't dwell on Hamilton's more questionable behavior (like his extramarital affairs). Still, I appreciated how this book offered a concise and succinct look at Hamilton's life. This book would be useful for those new to Hamilton but wanting to do more detailed reading as well as those who just want an overview of the historical figure who inspired a Broadway musical. ...more

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Jul 27, 2020 Kim rated it really liked it

Shelves: age-teens, biography-american

Martha Brockenbrough hits the nail on the head in this for-teens biography of the Ten Dollar Founding Father, bringing him to life and telling his story in a way that catches the reader's attention and doesn't let go until the final page. I admit I was hesitant to try this book, as my experience with biographies written for younger people hasn't always been a good one, but I am so glad that I took the chance. I enjoyed every bit of it, and learned quite a bit as well.

Brockenbrough writes in an e Martha Brockenbrough hits the nail on the head in this for-teens biography of the Ten Dollar Founding Father, bringing him to life and telling his story in a way that catches the reader's attention and doesn't let go until the final page. I admit I was hesitant to try this book, as my experience with biographies written for younger people hasn't always been a good one, but I am so glad that I took the chance. I enjoyed every bit of it, and learned quite a bit as well.

Brockenbrough writes in an easy-to-follow style without turning the book into a fictionalized narrative like some authors do when they try to write biographies. Although she doesn't necessarily keep a neutral tone - it's quite clear that she very much liked Hamilton, flaws and all - she doesn't let her admiration for the man get out of control. She makes no bones about Hamilton's bouts of selfishness, though she does try to explain them and how they come about in the context of the world he lived in.

One quibble: I did not need the line, "[Angelica Schuyler] had a husband already, businessman John Barker Church, or she might have been Alexander's first choice. The relationship fed a part of them that wasn't fully satisfied by their more stolid spouses, a part that needed a bit of intellectual fire and ambition." (p. 120) Why do Hamilton's biographies all feel the need to come out and imply that Angelica and Hamilton would have been a better match? So they flirted with each other. That in no way implies that they would have made a good married couple. In fact, given what we know of both of them, I'd say they probably would not have. While both of them were dedicated to the building of the new nation, Hamilton admitted more than once that he needed a quiet respite at times, something that Angelica does not strike me as the type to provide. You see it in her letters to Eliza, how she was often pushing her sister to push Hamilton to do more and more in his work in public service. She did not seem aware of what all of that work cost him.

What's more, I do care for the implication that Eliza is somehow not exciting enough or even smart enough for Hamilton. We really only have Hamilton's side of their relationship, since Eliza appears to have destroyed her own letters to him, but even if she hadn't, I still don't think her letters to him would have told the full story. Even though he was often away for work (government or legal), they were still more often together than apart. So when they were together, there would have been no reason to write to one another. That means they likely talked to one another more than wrote. And that Hamilton so often complained that Eliza didn't write to him makes it appear to me that he was used to talking to her, hearing her views on matters, whether they be personal (about their family, etc) or even political. Again, we do not have the full story of their relationship, so making the leap that Angelica was somehow scratching an itch that no one else could for him is really a bit much.

Though, I will admit that things are a bit better on this front than how they used to be. If you've read some older biographies about Hamilton, you'd see how much worse they are on this subject and on their treatment of Eliza. But I'll stop ranting.

Overall, I very much enjoyed this biography. A great way to introduce the real Hamilton to not just teen readers, but also I think to adult readers who might be intimidated by Chernow's brick of a biography (which, don't get me wrong, I loved it) or thick, scholarly treatments of the man. This one gets the point across without drowning a person in information, and introduces you to the many aspects of his life and work without overwhelming them. A great read! ...more

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Sep 21, 2018 Lindsey rated it it was ok

I have mixed feelings about this book. On the one hand, I thought Brockenbrough did an exceptional job with the narrative style and pacing of the book. I was really intrigued by Hamilton's early life and the depiction of the Revolutionary War. As I told my husband at one point, I often forget just how long the war was and just how difficult it was. I also enjoyed the material at the end of the book: the timeline, family tree, and the short explanations of federalism vs. antifederalism, sugar tra ...more

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Feb 12, 2020 Patrick Martin rated it it was amazing

Shelves: history, war, revolution, founding-fathers

Everyone knows of Ron Chernow's massive biography on Hamilton that was turned into a Broadway play but there are many Hamilton books available to read. I don't believe there are any as exhaustive as Chernow's but there are still some very good ones out there.

This book by Martha Brockenbrough is a very good one. It covers most everything you need to know about Hamilton with enough information to explain the issues and his thoughts on situations. With a wide running swath including accounts of th ...more

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Feb 25, 2018 C.A. Gray rated it it was amazing

I picked up this book at the same time as I started listening to “Hamilton: An American Musical”, alternating between them so that I’d listen to the musical rendition of the history I’d just heard. And… wow. I wish I was a history teacher, just so I could assign my students to do the same thing. The book alone makes the story come alive, but adding the music gives it a much more powerful emotional punch.

Hamilton is one of America’s Founding Fathers that I really never knew much about before, pro I picked up this book at the same time as I started listening to “Hamilton: An American Musical”, alternating between them so that I’d listen to the musical rendition of the history I’d just heard. And… wow. I wish I was a history teacher, just so I could assign my students to do the same thing. The book alone makes the story come alive, but adding the music gives it a much more powerful emotional punch.

Hamilton is one of America’s Founding Fathers that I really never knew much about before, probably because he was never a president—yet from the beginning, Hamilton’s greatest obsession was for honor and glory. Born a “bastard” at a time when such a label could scar a person for life, Hamilton’s early life was a string of misfortunes. The only reason he ever became noteworthy at all was because he became a published poet, and his orphaned and penniless status attracted public sympathies. Strangers sent him from his home in the Caribbean to college in New York, where he became a lawyer. His natural talents for speaking and writing later earned the attention of George Washington, with whom he had a complicated relationship. Washington never had children of his own, and Hamilton never had a father, nor any family to care for him. Washington thought of Hamilton as the son he’d never had, but his manner was so gruff that Hamilton apparently didn’t know it, at least during the Revolutionary War period. He persisted in calling Washington “Your Excellency,” growing resentful that Washington kept him at his side rather than allowing him to lead a battalion. Eventually this led to a falling out between the two men, and while Washington would have apologized immediately, Hamilton was too stubborn.

Years went by. Hamilton essentially created the American banking system while merely trying to help out his brother-in-law, and the documents he wrote on their operation were so good that nearly every other bank copied his plans. After the war was over, he realized that the loose Articles of Confederation—mostly an economic document—would not be enough to hold the colonies together. Along with John Jay and James Madison, Hamilton wrote the Federalist Papers, essentially birthing the Federalist Party and attempting to convince the nation that they required a strong central government in order to survive as a nation. From this, the Constitutional Convention followed—and when the new U.S. Constitution was finally ratified, parades in the streets called it Hamilton’s great achievement. His rift with Washington now mended, it was Hamilton who insisted that Washington alone must be the nation’s first president. Hamilton became one of his closest advisors, and Washington appointed Hamilton the nation’s first secretary of the treasury. Using the banks he’d helped create as templates, Hamilton created the first National Bank.

Given all of his accomplishments, his fame, his hunger for glory, and his close ties with Washington, the fact that Hamilton never became a president—never even ran for president—seems incredibly strange. But it can be explained by a single indiscretion: Mariah Reynolds. While Alexander always had a bit of a reputation with the ladies (he married Elizabeth Schuyler, but had a very flirty relationship with his sister-in-law Angelica too), he slept with Mariah while his wife and children were out of town. Then he received a blackmail letter from Mariah’s husband, demanding payment for his silence on the matter. Hamilton paid Reynolds, and he and Mariah continued their affair for some time. But the payments later came to the attention of Hamilton’s political enemies, who construed the payments as thinly veiled embezzlement from the government treasury. He was forced to explain the real situation. Hamilton never ran for president for fear that his affair would be publicly exposed, but his caution was all for naught in the end: it came out anyway. Rather than let it go quietly, Hamilton published a 95 page pamphlet, establishing that he had committed adultery, but not treason. Once again, Hamilton’s honor came first. But the pamphlet humiliated Eliza and his family, and did little to improve Hamilton’s reputation.

And what of Aaron Burr? The two men met in 1776, and led parallel lives in many ways. Both were orphans, both accomplished lawyers with high ambitions, and they even practiced law down the street from one another. Naturally, they found themselves frequent rivals. Burr was the quintessential politician in Hamilton’s eyes, never standing for anything except his own advancement. Burr ran for the New York senate against Hamilton’s father-in-law and won, positioning himself to later run for the presidency against Thomas Jefferson when it was clear that John Adams would not win re-election. The race between the two was deadlocked, but Hamilton’s public support may well have thrown the election to Jefferson in the end—a man who, until then, had been Hamilton’s bitter enemy. His denouncement of Burr precipitated Burr’s challenge to a duel. Even though Hamilton’s eldest son Phillip had already been killed in a duel (defending Hamilton’s honor), Hamilton accepted Burr’s challenge. Dueling was illegal in New York, so they had to cross state lines into New Jersey to do it. Hamilton had no intention of shooting to kill, but he knew Burr might not be so generous, so he spent his last few days outlining his will. He left his wife and remaining children destitute, unable to pay back his debts without resorting to charity. As a public servant, he’d never earned enough to support a wife and eight children. Still, he could not let a challenge go unanswered.

Hamilton probably should have been one of our first presidents, all things considered. He was brilliant, and in many respects he was a great man. Yet his obviously flawed worldview on the subject of his own honor dogged him throughout his life, and ultimately killed him. It was a tragedy, but a fascinating read nonetheless, made all the more compelling by the accompanying “soundtrack” of “Hamilton: An American Musical.” ...more

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Oct 22, 2017 Amanda rated it really liked it

Shelves: ya-nonfiction, 2017

An extremely accessible biography of Hamilton and an excellent resource for teens who are fans of Miranda's musical but not up to the challenge of reading the Chernow biography. Follows Hamilton from his meager origins in Nevis to the legacy he left behind in the United States. While his flaws are noted, Brockenbrough does not spend a great deal of time dwelling on his shortcomings. The book does mark occasions where his pride and stubborn views were his downfall. A fascinating look at a foundin ...more

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Jan 20, 2019 Jean-Marie rated it really liked it

Shelves: history, america, biography, non_fiction, young-adult, middle-grade

The 11-year-old and I finished this one last night. Just in a nick of time, too, because today we saw the show Hamilton! This young adult version of Hamilton's biography is an excellent pre-show read for middle grade and older readers. Knowing more about Hamilton and his story certainly increased my enjoyment of the show and gave the 11-year-old and I lots to discuss. We also filled in the family with a few other details not in the show, like the fact that Alexander and Eliza named their younges ...more

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Jun 14, 2020 Kathleen rated it really liked it

There's a lot in this book. Everything mentioned in Hamilton: The Musical is explained. I noticed no direct references to the show, but the publication date is sufficiently past and there's enough details/clarifications about particularly important points in the show that I don't doubt this came together in response. Martha Brockenbrough's catalog of past works shows she can write as nonstop as Hamilton himself. Alexander Hamilton, Revolutionary entertains and enlightens about the nation's first ...more

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Nov 27, 2019 Lin Elle rated it it was ok · review of another edition

An excellent story of a very interesting man written by the wrong person. The Revolutionary War part, one of the highlights of Hamilton’s life, became the most boring parts to strive through. Everything that was unecessary dragged on. You know something’s wrong when the only reason I came back to finish this story after months of trying to gruel through it piece by piece is because I needed my bookmark for another novel I was more eagerly starting. The only reason this didn’t get a 1 star from m ...more

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Jan 10, 2020 Susan Hein rated it it was amazing

My sister-in-law recommended I read this before we went to see 'Hamilton' in Chicago. It was a great read. I learned so much about our founding fathers and had no idea the influence Alexander Hamilton had on our country. It's also a fascinating read about his childhood, his marriage, his much publicized affair, his friendship with George Washington and the circumstances surrounding his death. Highly recommend! ...more

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Aug 25, 2018 Kate rated it really liked it

This was a really good book for older elementary and teen readers, as well as for adults who don't want to wade through Chernow's biography. If you've read Chernow already, I think you can skip this one - it doesn't add anything to the narrative, just makes it more accessible, which is a good thing! ...more

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Oct 14, 2019 Merel rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: 2019, non-fiction

I did it, I finished a book. And i learned something. Yeahhh

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Dec 07, 2017 Bubba rated it really liked it

Alexander Hamilton, Revolutionary
Book Review By Beau Colvin

Hamilton. Scholar, hero, legislator, orphan, genius, soldier, treasurer, husband, politician, firebrand, financier, lawyer, father, banker, friend and fool; Alexander Hamilton, Revolutionary covers nearly every aspect of Hamilton’s life in the biography, with a hopeful and respective voice. Revealing the life of the man portrayed on the ten dollar bill, and the life delineated in the Broadway hit.
“I never expect to see a perfect work f
Alexander Hamilton, Revolutionary
Book Review By Beau Colvin

Hamilton. Scholar, hero, legislator, orphan, genius, soldier, treasurer, husband, politician, firebrand, financier, lawyer, father, banker, friend and fool; Alexander Hamilton, Revolutionary covers nearly every aspect of Hamilton’s life in the biography, with a hopeful and respective voice. Revealing the life of the man portrayed on the ten dollar bill, and the life delineated in the Broadway hit.
“I never expect to see a perfect work from an imperfect man.” It truly is ironic, the fact that a quote by Alexander Hamilton can define his life in such an accurate manner. Hamilton was undeniably flawed, with certain actions in life proving that though he was highly successful, he was undoubtedly an “imperfect man.” Born in the British Virgin Islands fatherless and soon later parentless, Hamilton’s ingenuity alone led him to success on the battlefield, in courtroom and within the white house. However, his story of success and glory is diluted with imperfect decisions. Some of these are him cheating on his wife and his infamous duel with Aaron Burr.
Martha Brockenbrough, the author, tells Hamilton’s tale in the form of a captivating biography that seizes the attention of even the most disinterested readers. But, the book slowed significantly near the end. The style in which the book is written in, is amazing, but not all that’s good. The form in which the physical book is printed, also adds feeling and personality to the biography. As the pages are turned, images of locations and people appear, bringing to life the words that are being read. Alongside the illustrations, the book features bolded phrases or points every few pages, that helps the reader grasp the “bottom line” of the event taking place in the story.
Even knowledgeable “history buffs” will find Alexander Hamilton, Revolutionary interesting. Before I began reading the book, I knew a great deal on Hamilton’s life, nonetheless, I learned new information. I learned that Hamilton wanted a stronger government to rule the newly formed U.S. while his political enemy, Jefferson, was a strong believer in smaller government, in fear of tyrannical leaders. Hamilton believed a stronger government could fix things, even while many thought of him as money hungry and heartless for doing so. Also I learned that behind his productive, strong personality and reasonable success, Alexander was deep-down orphan who had seen enormous troubles in his life.
VERDICT: Though the book contains adult content, it presents the information in a form that is appropriate for young adult readers. It has positive role models and an excellent moral, while there is virtually no violence described in detail. The physical book itself is superb and the writing style even better. The one downside of the book being that it could be slightly boring at times. As a result, I recommend this book for ages 12+ and four out of five stars.

Publisher Feiwel and Friends
Pages 350
Genre Biography
...more

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Sep 23, 2017 Christy rated it really liked it

When Martha first announced Hamilton, I was thrilled. I couldn’t wait to see Hamilton through the eyes of such a spectacular woman.

Filled with notes and photos, Revolutionary is as much the story of the birth of America as it is Hamilton’s story, including the messy parts. Taking over what is now the US was not so great for the indigenous people on this land and Revolutionary explores that. It also doesn’t shy away from Hamilton’s flaws (which are plentiful). There’s a quick look into the people ...more

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Feb 02, 2018 Al rated it liked it

Shelves: nonfiction, university, history-politics

The best word to describe my feelings toward this biography would be complex.

I have a problem with the way Brockenbrough romanticizes Alexander Hamilton. Many people love our first Treasury Secretary, ever since the wildfire play by Lin Manuel-Miranda became popularized, but much of what I read were snarky references to anyone who opposed Hamilton and quick excuses for his wildly immoral behavior. Brockenbrough is primarily an author of young adult fiction, and such skill does bring his book to ...more

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Jul 30, 2020 Lilianne_Starr rated it really liked it

Shelves: 2020

This has been the 2nd Hamilton biography that I’ve read and I enjoyed it. I focused a lot more on the military prospect of his life and I think that that section was very well-written and entertaining to read about. I liked that throughout this whole book the author would toss in little stories that were funny or just interesting facts but it made me feel closer to this historical figure because I’m learning interesting little stories about him that make him feel altogether more human. Plus they ...more

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Jun 02, 2019 Colton rated it really liked it

I turned to this biography when my local library did not have the Chernow work that inspired the musical. This didn’t disappoint, however. The author’s research experience in nonfiction and their prose experience in YA fiction creates a well-written piece of history. Detailed and engaging, I think this book is a great resource for those who want to learn more about this great American man and historical figure but may not have the time or desire to ingest a longer book like Chernow’s.

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Dec 16, 2020 Eric Stutzman rated it really liked it

Ah, Alexander Hamilton. Just a decade ago, the thought of Alexander Hamilton being as big a phenomenon as he is today would have been laughable, but following the Broadway musical named after the famous historical figure, Alexander Hamilton was finally given the credit he was due. Since the musical has come out, there has seemingly been an influx of biographies and other such books written about the man and his influence upon the founding of our nation. Prior to that point the best biography of Ah, Alexander Hamilton. Just a decade ago, the thought of Alexander Hamilton being as big a phenomenon as he is today would have been laughable, but following the Broadway musical named after the famous historical figure, Alexander Hamilton was finally given the credit he was due. Since the musical has come out, there has seemingly been an influx of biographies and other such books written about the man and his influence upon the founding of our nation. Prior to that point the best biography of Hamilton was the one written more than fifteen years ago by Ron Chernow. Having not yet read Chernow's massive book, which clocks in at just over 800 pages, I read this shorter, but no less quality biography of one of our more well known Founding Fathers. This book, skillfully written by Martha Brockenbrough just a few years ago was one in which I found not only an abundance of information, but a great deal of enjoyment as well. Her writing and creativity in delivering the information are part of what make this book so great, as well as what make it stand out amongst the full landscape of historical biographies.

I first found this book at my local bookstore, and the cover immediately caught my eye, and the title kept my attention. "Alexander Hamilton, Revolutionary." Despite being a huge history nerd, when it came down to it, I knew very little about Alexander Hamilton, and, I figured at the time, what better place to start than by reading a book about the man. So I did. And when I sat down and began to read the book, I was immediately interested in the style in which the book was laid out. The pages were not just top-to-bottom text, they were stylized in a manner which made them almost look like paper money or parchment. I had barely begun reading the book and it was already well worth the money I spent on it! Much to my delight, the quality of the book was not merely relegated to the introduction, and the next several hundred pages would be spent in the company of a particularly beautiful book and one very dashing Hamilton. On top of this, the stylistic approach to the book was not isolated to the layout and color of the book, but the writing itself.

Martha Brockenbrough, an author, I am sorry to say, I was unfamiliar with before picking up this book, is one who has figured out exactly how they want to convey their information in a unique and visually pleasing manner, and has done so quite successfully. In addition to all of the little detailed drawings, sketches, maps and character descriptions carefully placed on the pages, the words that populated the rest of the page were just as enjoyable to look and and to take in. From what I gather, this book is best read by someone who has seen and appreciated the stage musical, as I picked up on several quotes which I believe are in the show (As of this writing, I still have yet to see the show, so this is merely an educated guess). Her writing is not plain, quite the opposite in fact, in many instances her writing seems to take up a life of its own and leap from the page. Her description of each of the historical figures throughout and the events they took part in were absolutely phenomenal, and they really gave weight and a sense of "being there," which I personally really appreciated throughout the book.

In addition to all that has been heretofore mentioned, one key detail about this book which I feel must be given its due credit is the scope of this biography. What Brockenbrough has done here in writing this is to not only broaden the reader's horizons regarding the title man, but about the entirety of the American Revolution. Her detailed descriptions encompass the revolution from start to finish and beyond, and they examine the implications of the events within the rev0lution itself in thought provoking detail. What's more is that Brockenbrough shines a light on many of the instances in the revolution which, in my own experience alone, seem to often go most unnoticed or unspoken of. Sure, everyone knows about Valley Forge and the Boston Massacre, both of with Brockenbrough showcases here, but few know about the execution of Major John André, a British spy whose plight resonated with Alexander, and whose honor and dignity forever changed Alexander's perspective. Instances such as this are part of why this biography is among the finest I have read as a whole, and one which will come highly recommended following this writing.

As a whole, what Martha Brockenbrough has done in just shy of 400 pages is simply extraordinary. She has fit the entire life of one of America's most iconic figures, and she has done it exceedingly well. The book itself is impressive in its scope, design and ingenuity, and for that I must give credit to, of course, the author, but to the publishers and design team as well, for they together have all done a magnificent job. As mentioned previously, I will absolutely be recommending this book to anyone interested in Alexander Hamilton, or even American history as a whole. When it comes down to biographies, this is, in simple terms, a must read. I may not have been familiar with Martha Brockenbrough before this, but now, I will be on the lookout for more of her work, eager to read more. Until then though, I will look back fondly on the joyous journey this book took me on, and all the knowledge it granted me. ...more

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Feb 11, 2018 RumBelle rated it it was amazing

Shelves: nonfiction, favorites

Honor and intelligence. Those are the two words I would use to describe the core of Alexander Hamilton's character. He had to fight for every upward movement, and every gain he had in life, beginning with his early life on Nevis. It was his intelligence, skill with the written word and bravery that enabled him to leave that rocky start and forge a new life, and new family in America.

He distinguished himself during the Revolution, though more often than not, was not recognized for it. One of the Honor and intelligence. Those are the two words I would use to describe the core of Alexander Hamilton's character. He had to fight for every upward movement, and every gain he had in life, beginning with his early life on Nevis. It was his intelligence, skill with the written word and bravery that enabled him to leave that rocky start and forge a new life, and new family in America.

He distinguished himself during the Revolution, though more often than not, was not recognized for it. One of the best things to admire about Alexander though was his ability to not let setbacks deter him. He would simply continue to strive day by day to do his best. When he earned someone's loyalty and trust, like Washington, that was precious to him and he honored that above all.

I would say I found his relationships with Washington, Eliza, Angelica and Aaron the most complex and life defining in this book. Alexander was, in a way, a different person with each of them, which just showed what a complex man he was. These people, more so than any others, defined and shaped Alexander's life and death. With them, and for them, he strove the show the most honorable sides of his character, not always succeeding (take Maria Reynolds and the culmination of his relationship with Aaron as examples). My favorite relationship in the book was Alexander and Eliza, their life was such a loving, sometimes heartbreaking, tale of devotion and admiration.

The book covers his entire life, from birth, to the final fatal duel with Aaron Burr. There is an Epilogue that discusses Eliza's remaining half century, and all of her amazing and dedicated work. She strives to honor Washington and Alexander, doing her utmost to make sure both men are never forgotten. She was as much of a force and prominent figure during that time as the Founding Fathers, her work was just more subtle and quiet.

The book also contains a wealth of what I will call Appendices, though none are official labeled as such. Things like Alexander Hamilton's family tree, mini biographies of Allies and Enemies, small essays on topics such as the sugar trade, fashion of the period and the beginnings of American finance, maps and more. These editions make this book not only that much more informative and fascinating, but a wonderful teaching tool.

This only small thing about this book that irked me was, on almost every page the text was broken up by a sentence written in bold, large type. What bothered me was, you are reading down the page, you come to, and read, that bold section, and immediately the next sentence you read in the one you just read that was in bold type. This was not always the case with the bold typeface quotes, but I would say 90% of the time it was. It was extremely unnecessary repetition in my view.

This book was interesting and fascinating, and taught me a lot about a man I knew very little about. The writing was extremely engaging and kept you wanting to turn pages, and characters were shown in all their depth and nuance. Magnificent. ...more

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Oct 15, 2017 Lauren Ford rated it really liked it

Shelves: biographies

This is a book I came across a few months ago at the library (although I’m writing this in the beginning of October, so I found this the last week of September), and since it had Hamilton on the front, of course I picked it up. I have a deep obsession with Alexander Hamilton, thanks to me jumping on the Lin-Manuel Miranda bandwagon. I haven’t seen the show yet, but I know all the lyrics by heart.

I do own the Kindle version of the Chernow biography, bought because I needed something long to read This is a book I came across a few months ago at the library (although I’m writing this in the beginning of October, so I found this the last week of September), and since it had Hamilton on the front, of course I picked it up. I have a deep obsession with Alexander Hamilton, thanks to me jumping on the Lin-Manuel Miranda bandwagon. I haven’t seen the show yet, but I know all the lyrics by heart.

I do own the Kindle version of the Chernow biography, bought because I needed something long to read on a trip to Europe last year, but I never finished it. I found that it was very hard to keep my interested. Alexander Hamilton: Revolutionary by Martha Brockenbrough solves that problem. Of course, it is a teen biography, but I did find it informative.

The biography starts with Hamilton’s mother and childhood in the West Indies, but moves relatively quickly through his younger and teen years, dumping the reader in American by page 29. From there, it covers Hamilton’s early college years, his time in the Revolutionary War, and his part in building the US government.

I thought I knew a lot about Hamilton’s history from the play, although I knew there were some major differences. I wasn’t expecting there to be so much that the biography detailed that the play glossed over — and, on the flip side, how much the play covered that this biography glossed over. Like it barely mentions Angelica, or even much about Phillip Hamilton aside from his duel and its outcome. We don’t even get to know much about Alexander’s children!

Brockenbrough has even included several mini-guides at the back of the book to finances, government, rules for duels, major battles of the Revolutionary War, and more. There’s a timeline of Hamilton’s life, as well as a short passage on what happened to Burr once he’d killed Hamilton. (Spoiler alert: it wasn’t pretty.)

Overall, I think this is a great introduction to the the $10 Founding Father. There are a lot of pictures, and I enjoyed finding new facts about Hamilton I didn’t know. For example, I didn’t know he had been at Valley Forge. While there are a few gaps, I think overall, it’s great for teenagers, or adults who have a passing interesting in Hamilton or just want to know what the entire fuss is about but doesn’t want to commit to a 500+ page behemoth of a tome.

In terms of a YA Biography, I’d give this a 4/5 stars. There are some things I would’ve appreciated further information on, and some things that I feel like were just extra. If you’ve already read a Hamilton biography, you can probably skip this one. If you’re a Hamilton enthusiast, or if you’ve never read anything about him before, this is probably a great place to start. With the double-spread maps throughout the book, and the numerous portraits, you will never be lost as to who is who and what is what. ...more

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Feb 11, 2018 Briana rated it really liked it

Shelves: young-adult

I enjoy nonfiction, but when I picked up Alexander Hamilton: Revolutionary by Martha Brockenbrough, I wasn’t expecting it to be quite as engaging as it is. With a lively narrative voice and a text design seemingly geared to keep people even with short attention spans reading, the book offers a quick but fun and informative look into one of America’s Founding Father’s.

Brokcenbrough begins with Hamilton’s early life in the Caribbean and follows him to his death, exploring especially his actions d ...more

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About Martha Brockenbrough

Martha Brockenbrough

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Martha Brockenbrough is author of The Game of Love and Death, Finding Bigfoot, The Dinosaur Tooth Fairy, and Devine Intervention, books for young readers. For adults, she has written Things That Make Us [Sic], a hilarious guide to things that can go wrong with English, and It Could Happen to You, a diary of her first pregnancy. She's the founder of National Grammar Day and SPOGG, the Society for t ...more