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shannonscotteditorauthor's review against another edition
5.0
No words...
I have never been one to lose myself in a biography, let alone a biography that covers so much of American History. But thanks to its overwhelming success on Broadway as a hit musical, I knew I'd have to read the book that so inspired the self-titled musical. All I knew before this book was that Hamilton was on the 10-dollar bill. I had no idea he had such a harrowing beginning, contributed so much to the foundation and growth of the American nation, or that I could identify so much with a person's utter lack of a verbal filter. A great book, an awesome musical soundtrack, and one of the most emotionally draining stories I've read in some time. HIGHLY SUGGEST THIS BOOK!!
I have never been one to lose myself in a biography, let alone a biography that covers so much of American History. But thanks to its overwhelming success on Broadway as a hit musical, I knew I'd have to read the book that so inspired the self-titled musical. All I knew before this book was that Hamilton was on the 10-dollar bill. I had no idea he had such a harrowing beginning, contributed so much to the foundation and growth of the American nation, or that I could identify so much with a person's utter lack of a verbal filter. A great book, an awesome musical soundtrack, and one of the most emotionally draining stories I've read in some time. HIGHLY SUGGEST THIS BOOK!!
kelly_inthe419's review against another edition
5.0
I had high expectations going in with this book, and it did not disappoint. What a fascinating, brilliant, if imperfect, man is revealed. I learned so much not just about Hamilton but the entire era from the Revolution to Jefferson’s presidency. In many ways, it feels like you could plunk Hamilton, Adams, Jefferson & Madison into today’s political scene, and they would fit right in! It amazes me we made it through those first tenuous decades. But it also gives me hope that we will survive another 200+ years. Well done Mr. Chernow!
wintersavenger's review against another edition
5.0
brilliant read, if a bit of a struggle at times. fascinating piece of history.
littlelifewrecker's review against another edition
5.0
I like biographies, but I wasn’t sure what I was getting into with a chunkster of this magnitude. Chernow does a great job of drawing the reader in to every morsel of Hamilton’s story. Also Scott Brick is always a joy to listen to for the narration.
benwillie's review against another edition
4.0
I haven't read a biography in a while, but Ron Chernow makes it very easy to approach this one. I was obsessed with the Hamilton musical many years ago (I still remember every lyric...why won't my brain instead make space for things I try to remember?!) so this was a nice dose of empirical history to balance out the drama of the musical. I really enjoyed hearing more about such an influential and prolific Founding Father, and if you too have a hankering for history I recommend you give this...a shot ;)
nor_mula's review against another edition
I decided to try read this due to my fascination with the musical "Hamilton" (also the reason that sparked my interest in history and musicals). Soon after I read 26 pages, I got bored and just decided to drop it. I really do want to know his life, but it's hard to keep myself engaged into this informative book.
basepi's review against another edition
5.0
What a masterpiece. If history books in school were written with Chernow’s talent at bringing personality and humanity to non-fiction, I might have been a fan of history, instead of an unwilling participant.
I haven’t seen the musical. I knew embarrassingly little about Hamilton going into this book. It’s hard to describe just how affecting this book was to me. I found myself fuming at times, cheering at others. I think Chernow did a great job at showing the true character of Hamilton, faults and all. And that humanity that he portrays can’t help but make you cheer for him.
It is a very long book, especially for a slow reader like me. It took me more than 30 hours, and they were hours well-spent. It lagged in places, but that’s to be expected from an account so thorough.
Read it. 4.5 stars.
I haven’t seen the musical. I knew embarrassingly little about Hamilton going into this book. It’s hard to describe just how affecting this book was to me. I found myself fuming at times, cheering at others. I think Chernow did a great job at showing the true character of Hamilton, faults and all. And that humanity that he portrays can’t help but make you cheer for him.
It is a very long book, especially for a slow reader like me. It took me more than 30 hours, and they were hours well-spent. It lagged in places, but that’s to be expected from an account so thorough.
Read it. 4.5 stars.
ashleybreader's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
tense
slow-paced
3.5
nestairov's review against another edition
4.0
all-encompassing tour de force of a very interesting figure in an even more interesting period.
loved how much emphasis there was on different founding fathers' pettiness and emotional quirks. part of these are brought to life in the musical but there is plenty left on the cutting room floor to find in the book.
gripes: chernow's rose-tinted glasses when it came to hamilton's extramarital affairs and general disposition towards women, and that parts of the book feel too finely grained and comprehensive when it came to minutae that didn't add much
loved how much emphasis there was on different founding fathers' pettiness and emotional quirks. part of these are brought to life in the musical but there is plenty left on the cutting room floor to find in the book.
gripes: chernow's rose-tinted glasses when it came to hamilton's extramarital affairs and general disposition towards women, and that parts of the book feel too finely grained and comprehensive when it came to minutae that didn't add much