The Great American Rascal: The Turbulent Life of Aaron Burr

by Noel B. Gerson

On July 11th, 1804, Aaron Burr faced and killed Alexander Hamilton in a duel. These two men have received new interest following the success of Lin-Manuel Miranda’s hit musical, Hamilton, but who was the real Aaron Burr? Noel B. Gerson uncovers the rise of a man who lost his father at the age of one, entered Princeton as a sophomore at thirteen, took part in Colonel Benedict Arnold’s expedition to Quebec, became a national hero for saving an entire brigade from capture during the New York Campaign, and after the war rose to become a leading figure in New York politics, becoming vice-president in 1800 before the infamous duel occurred four years later. Yet, the story of Aaron Burr does not end there. Gerson goes on to expose the rest of his long and turbulent life, providing insight into the western conspiracy, the trial for treason, and his struggle to return to America after four years of self-imposed exile in Europe. This book is an engrossing biography of one of the most notorious figures in the history of the United States. It is an ideal read for those who wish to find out more about a person who could have been one of the greatest of Americans, in an age of giants, but whose personal flaws ultimately led to his demise. “Very interesting reading… it runs with the speed of a novel and the vividness of phrase of an acute commentator… Meant to be read… and boy, is it readable!” — Bestsellers “The extraordinary vitality and charm of Burr come through in this swift-moving and wholly admirable book.” — Christian Science Monitor “Moves faster than most historical novels because Burr was quicker and more unbelievable than most fictional heroes… an enjoyable, lively account of a fascinating figure.” — Mankind Magazine “An absorbing biography of the Revolutionary war hero… the author portrays Burr as a brilliant man with an overwhelming ego and charm to match — a con man, forger, sharpshooting bully mistrusted by Washington and Jefferson, yet able to rise to high office in a career that occasionally suggests some modern parallels.” — Publishers Weekly

Genres: History

287 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 3, 2021

About the author

Noel Bertram Gerson (1913-1988) was an American author who wrote 325 books, including several best sellers, among them two screenplay novelizations penned under the pseudonym Samuel Edwards, The Naked Maja, and 55 Days at Peking.

Aside from "Samuel Edwards", which would seem to have been his dedicated by-line for tie-in work, Gerson used the following nine pseudonyms in addition to his own name: Anne Marie Burgess; Michael Burgess; Nicholas Gorham; Paul Lewis; Leon Phillips; Donald Clayton Porter; Dana Fuller Ross; Philip Vail; and Carter A. Vaughan.

Reviews

[James T. Stewart · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found this to be a well written and extremely interesting book. I knew that Burr killed Hamilton in a duel, had to be reminded that Burr served as VP under Thomas Jefferson, but knew next to nothing about Burr beyond that .

Burr's grandiose schemes to have power were interesting indeed and his lack of a moral compass, being consumed by his own selfishness to the point of having difficulty of discerning reality from his schemes. His ambition to form his own nation, (financed by either Great Britain, Spain, or France) to be the most ambitious scheme I ever heard of.

But, throughout history, some great man were driven by selfish ambition yet had great intellect.

I found it interesting in the extreme for Burr to be possessed with such intelligence and yet not be able to see his many shortcomings, and being totally blind to his shortcomings.

An entertaining and interesting read.

[Clem · Rating 5 out of 5]

My guess is that because of the overwhelming popularity of the musical “Hamilton”, most people probably recognize the name of Aaron Burr as the man who killed Alexander Hamilton during a duel. I haven’t seen the musical, so I don’t know how prominent a figure Burr is featured, but after reading this book I came away with the overwhelming feeling that whereas Alexander Hamilton might have warranted a musical about his life, Aaron Burr deserves a movie. A mini-series preferably. There’s an awful lot of life this man lived that was quite interesting; albeit not always easy. Aaron Burr was not a good man.

Like all tragic figures though, if we look hard enough, we can find enough about the individual to pity them. I found myself pitying this man in a great way. Although if I were completely honest, I would have preferred a much colder ending to his crooked life.

Aaron Burr was possibly the first “truly evil” politician who ever held a high office in the United States of America. We would be naïve to believe that most people who hold such a high office are deeply altruistic in their desires. It’s all about power. Aaron Burr was no different. We read about his young life and discover he was highly intelligent and manages to not only be a very successful lawyer, but a fairly respected hero during the Revolutionary War. He had quite the brain and seems to find success with whatever he touches. If only he would have used his gifts for good.

After narrowly missing out as becoming the third U.S. President, we sense a bitterness in the man who isn’t used to failure. He has a lot of enemies and manages to kill Alexander Hamilton after being “insulted” by him. This is only the beginning of Burr’s problems and his story becomes much more interesting after this event, if not altogether tragic.

We find him essentially trying to overthrow the young U.S. government and appoint himself dictator of a new regime. The details aren’t worth going into here, but what’s sad is that Burr always manages to stay one step ahead of his pursuers and eventually fleeing to England, Scotland, France, and few other countries. It seems no one likes him there either. His reputation seems to follow him.

The times when we feel the most sympathy for him is when we see that he loves and dotes on his wife very lovingly, and when she dies young, his affection shifts to his only child, a daughter who reminds him an awful lot of his deceased bride. We read about a lot of his correspondence to her when he’s overseas and one gets the impression that she’s the only thing he truly cares about rather than the ruthless pursuit of money and power. Speaking of money, he has a lot of it throughout his life, yet manages to squander much of his wealth as soon as he accumulates (and re-accumulates) it. We read an awful lot about him living in squalor while starving at times.

This book was a “Kindle Unlimited” deal yet don’t think that such a product is somehow inferior than a hardcover on any NYT best seller list. I found this volume to be incredibly interesting and never overburdened with worthless detail. Each chapter is about 10 pages which is really a quite nice feature. It’s very easy to sit down and digest a chapter or two in a brief sitting. It’s a rather quick read in terms of biographies of famous individuals go, but there’s an awful lot of events in Aaron Burr’s life that make the experience very rich.

It’s also a tad refreshing to see that the country of the United States has had to endure tyrants in power before and managed to endure. Had things gone slightly awry, it’s easy to see how our young country could have very easily had a much shorter life. You have to conclude, though, that calmer heads do in fact prevail; at least most of the time.

This was a very enjoyable informative read, and if one has Kindle Unlimited access, this is a great way to learn and be entertained free of charge.

[Mike Pollack · Rating 5 out of 5]

I knew nothing about Aaron Burr beyond the obvious that he was the Vice President during Jefferson’s first term and that he killed Hamilton. What an amazingly complex individual who was a tremendous Revolutionary War hero, an unmatched litigator and Senator of his time (introducing a bill to end slavery in 1785) yet vanity, ambition and arrogance led to his downfall through his treason attempt to create an empire in US/Mexico (which he was acquitted in part to his talents as a lawyer) and eventually years in exile and near poverty in Europe. The tragic disappearance/death of his daughter after his return to the US adds to his complicated life. One of the more interesting biographies I’ve read- would recommend. Make me wonder where our country would be had he not killed Hamilton and had he not been so impatient and vain to become President.

[Charliiey Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this biography. My interest in this area of American history started with the musical Hamilton and since then I've been on a voyage of knowledge of all people involved. I was shocked by some of the things Aaron did after the death of Hamilton and am very surprised he lived as long as he did, considering the amount of times he was penniless and outright homeless.
The disappearance of his daughter is definitely a mystery and one I would like to find further information on.
All in all Aaron was definitely a strange character and perhaps these days he would have been institutionalised for his over active imagination and huge ego.

[Jean · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was looking for a book that would tell me the truth especially in the days following Theodosia's death but this biography was very straight forward and it certainly spent time reviewing Burr's Revolutionary War history, his election as Vice presdient, and his scheme to form a new Empire with him at the helm. However, his later life was very sketchy almost as if the biographer wanted to end the book. However, in all fairness, the information itself might have been hard to come by.

[Phillip Mclaughlin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Burr is a difficult subject, this treats him with facts.

Of the many scoundrels in American history, Aaron Burr is one of the largest. Finally, a factual recitation of Burr’s life and activities that strives not to pitch a sympathetic tone, or pitch the image of a spawn of satan.
Well done as a history with facts and modest supposition about what Burr might have thought.
A good read.

[Joyce L. Miller · Rating 1 out of 5]

A fascinating story, poorly written. I stopped reading it and will resume reading "Fallen Founder: The Life of Aaron Burr" by Nancy Isenberg. I am finally realizing that I don't have time to read below-average books. This was another BookBub value that turned out not to be a value at $1.99, but a waste of time that could be so much better spent.

[George · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Great American Rascal. Aaron Burr

Aaron Burr was a man of many talents, he was a brilliant lawyer. He was well read in all the books that he purchased, but he was so self-absorbed in his own greatness that he was never able to take direction from anyone. He adored his wife and daughter, and both pasted way before his eventual downfall and failure.

[Rick Mitchell · Rating 5 out of 5]

An 18th Century “Catch Me if You Can”

What a great story this was! The longer I read, the harder it was to pause. The audacity and ingenuity of this man was unrivaled.
I suppose I thought this would be just biography of the Revolutionary Era, but it was much more. Very enjoyable, with twists and turns and surprises around every corner.

[Ceiswyn Blake · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great summary and introduction

This is an eminently readable biography, and offers fascinating insights into Burr's character. My one reservation is that it does not always distinguish clearly between fact and speculation, and sometimes makes confident statements where other histories may have dissenting opinions.

[William Rowe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent balanced and very readable biography of a complex man with a complex life

A very enjoyable bio of a fascinating man from a dynamic time. The author explains his views;an notes the unknowns

[DENNIS Headington · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good read

Interesting and a quick read. Such a Disappointing life for such a brilliant mind. Seems Washington and Hamilton got him off to a bad start which negatively affected his future.

[jose sosa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazingly satisfying.

I have read various accounts of the life thef Washington, Hamilton's lengthly biography, as well as Ethan Allen, Benedict Arnold and Henrry Morgan. Not only do I happily endorse it but please do recommend it to your friends

[Curtis DeLozier · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well written account of a misguided and ambitious man. Unfortunately used his ambition unwisely but still an obviously brilliant mind.

[Sallie S. Burk · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great history. Provides an understanding of how so brilliant a man could end up so poorly. Can't blame him for having a chip on his shoulder after his treatment during the American Revolution, but overall, he was his own worst enemy. In spite of so many character flaws, he was devoted to his wife, child, and grandchild. What a tragic life he lived.