The Alexander Hamilton You Never Knew

by James Lincoln Collier, Greg Copeland (Illustrator)

Newbery-finalist James Lincoln Collier creates insightful character studies of our most well-known American figures. By blasting through the myths surrounding our heroes, we see them as they really were, with their conflicts, their fears, their shortcomings, and their ambitions. We come to know them and so to admire their achievements all the more.

Genres: History

80 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2003

About the author

James Lincoln Collier (born June 27, 1928) is a journalist, author, and professional musician.

Collier's notable literary works include My Brother Sam Is Dead (1974), a Newbery Honor book that was also named a Notable Children's Book by the American Library Association and nominated for a National Book Award in 1975. He also wrote a children's book titled The Empty Mirror (2004), The Teddy Bear Habit (1967), about an insecure boy whose beatnik guitar teacher turns out to be a crook, and Rich and Famous (1975), sequel to The Teddy Bear Habit. His list of children's books also includes Chipper (2001), about a young boy in a gang. His writings for adults include numerous books on jazz, including biographies of Louis Armstrong, Benny Goodman and Duke Ellington. He has also contributed entries on jazz-related subjects to the Grove Dictionary of Music and Musicians.

In addition to his writing, Collier is an accomplished jazz musician who plays the trombone professionally.

Reviews

[Deanna Sutter · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great overview of Alexander Hamilton. This is a classic case of not judging a man by our standards today, but judging him by the standards of his day. Hamilton was awesome because of what he did with what he started out with. His father abandoned him and his mother died by the time he was 12. Top that all off with that fact he was born and living in poverty in the West Indies. So how does a boy get from there to become the first Secretary of Treasury at the age of 35? Seer guts and determination. I'm impressed. I want to find an adult bio and read more about him.

[Katrina · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a great book

[Elizabeth · Rating 1 out of 5]

stinkey and boring! i hope you never reed this!