Play Book Tag discussion

I was unexpectedly affected by this book (spoiler: Hamilton dies), which I didn't expect to be. I definitely never thought that I would be reading an 800-page biography about some old dead guy, but here we are. Hamilton was pretty much a genius (but also an idiot when it came to common sense), Jefferson sucked, Washington was so very human, and basically everyone was a drama queen. I never knew there was that much petty drama and infighting going into the founding of the US. All of that kept me reading long after I should probably have stopped for the night because the author makes it so intriguing, like being privy to private gossip.

Also I'm still sad about Hamilton dying and it's been like 200 years. :/

Will definitely be rereading someday.

(Also, I know this book is super intimidating cause it's 700+ pages, but it really does fly pretty quickly with all the intrigue and drama going on!)

Someday...

Flo wrote: "Jefferson sucked, Washington was so very human, and basically everyone was a drama queen."

Lol, that's a great summery.

I've thought about reading this- I'm still on the Hamilton bandwagon because of the musical. But the 700-800 pages seems really daunting!

I was really intimidated too at first, especially because I'm usually not a biography person. I never had particular interest in this time period or anything. But the book definitely lived up to the hype, so I think even if you normally don't read books this long or anything, you'll still really like it! :D

The fact that you don't normally read this stuff and really enjoyed it is super promising for me! I'm not sure if anyone has seen 'Drunk history' on MTV, but they did a full episode with Lin Manual on Alexander Hamilton, and made his life seem much more interesting than what I realized.

I really want to watch that episode! I haven't gotten around to it yet, but someday haha. But yeah, Hamilton's life was pretty fascinating. And he was just so petty and dramatic that you can't help but be interested in the book. Admittedly, I skipped/skimmed a few pages when they were describing the Federalist papers one by one, or talking about how the bank system worked, but otherwise, I read everything. :)

I am currently reading this book for my book club. I am not as enthusiastic as you were Flo. The first few chapters went by really fast for me and it read like historical fiction. Now I am struggling to keep up. It takes me 45 minutes to get through 1% of the book. The book club is taking two months to read it but I am not sure I am going to be able to finish it. I am on chapter 12, does it get more interesting?

I've started this, but the length is daunting. Perhaps after I see the musical I might be motivated to pick up the book again!

I've started this book a couple of times now (and it's not that I put it down for any reason, it's just that other things seem to interest me more and I don't pick it back up). Anyway, I'm about 200+ pages thru and remember liking it, so I just need to re-commit myself and get back after it. I love history and I love biographies, although the specific time period, Revolutionary Times, isn't my most favorite era (it just always seems so dated and un-relatable to me).

This book just became available to me at the library. Excited for it, but the timing could really be better . . .is there ever really a good time for a 700 pager? Your review is spurring me on though!

Charlie wrote: "I've started this book a couple of times now (and it's not that I put it down for any reason, it's just that other things seem to interest me more and I don't pick it back up). Anyway, I'm about 20..."

Charlie, I am in the same boat as you. I am on page 225/Chapter 8. It is good, but very dense, so I am reading in spurts. And I love biographies, history, and the American Revolution. Maybe we can be accountability buddies to keep each other on track and reading this behemoth of a book.

Sara wrote: "Charlie wrote: "I've started this book a couple of times now (and it's not that I put it down for any reason, it's just that other things seem to interest me more and I don't pick it back up). Anyw..."

I might join you! I think I need someone to spur me on to slog through this book. History and biographies are not really my thing.

annapi wrote: "Sara wrote: "Charlie wrote: "I've started this book a couple of times now (and it's not that I put it down for any reason, it's just that other things seem to interest me more and I don't pick it b..."

That would be great. I can start a discussion thread.

Ahhhh!! If a group of people are going to read this now, it encourages me to dive in too.

Sara wrote: "Charlie wrote: "I've started this book a couple of times now (and it's not that I put it down for any reason, it's just that other things seem to interest me more and I don't pick it back up). Anyw..."

Count me in!

I'd be in for a pseudo-group read of this!

Diane wrote: "I am currently reading this book for my book club. I am not as enthusiastic as you were Flo. The first few chapters went by really fast for me and it read like historical fiction. Now I am struggli..."

imo, it definitely gets more interesting later on, as you get more into the intricacies of building the nation after the war and such. everyone just schemes and plots so much that it's like reading about a bunch of gossiping high schoolers haha. i actually got through the second half of the book much faster than the first half.

i'm glad i seem to have inspired y'all to pick it up again though! it's definitely a really good read, and i'll be excited to hear your thoughts about it when you're done! :3

I read this when it first came out. I agree when Chernow made the point that Hamilton was probably the most powerful founding father who never became president. I adore Chernow's writing.