Alexander Hamilton: A Life

by Willard Randall

From his less than auspicious start in 1755 on the Caribbean Island of Nevis to his untimely death in a duel with his old enemy Aaron Burr in 1804, Alexander Hamilton, despite his short life, left a huge legacy.Orphaned at thirteen and apprenticed in a counting house, Hamilton learned principles of business that helped him create the American financial system and invent the modern corporation. But first the staunch, intrepid Hamilton served in the American Revolution, acting as General Washington’s spymaster. Forging a successful legal career, Hamilton coauthored the Federalist Papers and plunged into politics. Irresistibly attractive, he was a man of many gifts, but he could be arrogant and at times a poor judge of character.In this meticulously researched, illuminating, and lively account, Willard Sterne Randall explores Hamilton’s life—his illegitimate birth, little-known military activities, political and diplomatic intrigues, and scandalous affairs—and its indelible impact on modern America.

Genres: History, Biography, Nonfiction, Politics

512 pages, ebook

First published July 6, 2010

Reviews

[HR-ML · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a bio written by history scholar W.S Randall.
It was great for history buffs, but at times had too many
details about Revolutionary battles. Alexander Hamilton
was a fascinating yet imperfect man.

Alexander Hamilton was born in the West Indies to
a mother & father, respectively of French and Scottish
heritage. His parents were not wed b/c mom was still
wed to another. Hamilton's illegitimacy haunted him
for the rest of his life.

He went from being an import/ export clerk at age 13,
to a US militia man, to a secret Revolutionary writer
to being General George Washington's aide-de-camp
(diplomat/ spymaster) during the American Revolution
to eventually becoming the first US Secretary of the
Treasury. He helped develop: a standardized US Army
training manual, the Inspector General of the US Army,
the rules for US Prisoners of War. And was the founder
of the US Customs Service.

Hamilton (hereafter AH) arrived in the US at age 17
w/o any formal education. Merchants in the West
Indies & the US pooled money to fund AH for 4 years
of college. He attend US prep school, which took him
1 year to complete instead of the typical 3-4 yrs.
He also had a tutor for Latin and Greek. Businessman
(& later Revolutionary spy) Hercules Mulligan managed
the pooled funds for AH.

AH's goal was to attend the University of NJ ( later
Princeton) which had revolutionary sympathies. The
U of NJ denied him for an accelerated program (at his
pace). So he attended King's College (later Columbia
University) which had Loyalist sympathies. He was a
college man x 2 years before the war broke out.

AH's contemporary's considered him stern, cocky,
patronizing, & he had verve. These qualities assisted
him in his career but also caused some alienation
by John Adams, Sam Adams, Aaron Burr etc.

This author documented AH's alleged love affair
w/ his sis-in-law Angelica Schyler Church. Some
historians dispute this relationship.

[Ava · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was pretty good for a biography, but to me there is no such thing as an interesting or exiting biography. Alexander Hamilton's life is very interesting but I prefer learning about him from the musical, Hamilton.

[Kimberleigh · Rating 3 out of 5]

A thorough history, but a bit dry at times. History fans will enjoy it.

[Kristin Lemmerman]

This biography made me even more interested in reading the Chernow biography, now that I have something to compare it to.

[Natalie Olivia · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book is about Alexander and his life in during the revolution in colonial America. It also talks about his whole family and the people he was closest to. The book is from before he was born to the the day he died and almost everyday in between with immense detail.

Randall's writing is a challenging read for someone who is not profound in the english language. There are many big words and complicating sentence structure. The book has so much detail with every page that you feel like you are actually with Hamilton from when he is born on the humid island to the hospital bed where he spent his last days.

Extreme history fanatics would like to read this book. Or anyone who wants a challenging read.

[Shanna · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really enjoyed the first few chapters. I never realized that Hamilton was George Washington's right-hand man nor that he was close friends with Lafayette. There was a lot I didn't know about Alexander Hamilton until reading this book. About 2/3 in I got a little bogged down in the details of the financial crisis of the early union. The end of the book got better, but I found it interesting how little detail was given about the duel that ended his life. Not only that, but little was said in the book in general about the politically rivalry between Hamilton and Burr. I plan to read the other biography that the broadway hit musical is based on.

[Annie Kostyk · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love reading biographies, but only when they're told in the way of a story. Please don't throw gobs of facts and statistics at me.

I really enjoy the book. It was easy to read. I had no idea Hamilton had such a crazy life. He is responsible for so many things that we take for granted today. From the beginning of his life until the end, you'll be shaking your head that he was able to do so much in one lifetime.

[Harrison · Rating 4 out of 5]

If I could give half stars, I would have given this 3.5 stars instead of 4. I really liked the material and the author presented it in an interesting way, but tended to gloss over some of the more crucial details of Hamilton's life. I was also slightly disappointed with how the book concluded. It seemed very rushed and didn't go as deep as I had hoped.

[M · Rating 3 out of 5]

I quite liked it as a comprehensive biography, but I much preferred Ron Chernow's work. Also, this book did not include anything about Hamilton's legacy an his affect on today, hence the three-star rating.

[Kimb · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fantastic look into Hamilton's life and the state of the nation throughout it.

[Maya · Rating 2 out of 5]

I read this book a while ago, so I could be wrong on my recollection. Would not recommend, it was pretty sensationalized, made too many assumptions

[Mary Murphy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting how some things in politics and society just don't change. Great insight into 18th century life in a new America and great chronicle of one of our most unique founders.

[Chris · Rating 3 out of 5]

I skimmed a lot of this, but did enjoy the parts I read-now I feel ready to see the Broadway play:)