The award-winning, smash Broadway hit, Hamilton: An American Musical,continues to captivate sold-out audiences and has sparked unprecedented interest in its historical protagonist.
In Hamilton: An American Biography, Tony Williams provides readers with a concise biography that traces the events and values that enabled Hamilton to rise from his youth as a dispossessed orphan to Revolutionary War hero and Founding Father, a life uniquely shaped by America and who, in turn, contributed to the creation of the American regime of liberty and self-government. He was one of key leaders in the American Revolution, a chief architect of America’s constitutional order of self-government, and the key figure in Washington’s administration creating the institutions that governed America. Williams expertly weaves together biography with historical events to place Hamilton as one of the most important founding fathers.
For readers just discovering Hamilton for the first time or those with an insatiable appetite for books on the Founders and the American Founding, Hamilton: An American Biography will shed new light on this American icon now experiencing a remarkable second act.
Introduction Chapter 1: The Rise from Obscurity Chapter 2: The Education of a Patriot Chapter 3: The Crossing Chapter 4: Washingtons Aide Chapter 5: Reflections and Frustrations Chapter 6: Betrayal and Heroism Chapter 7: Alexander Hamilton & the Newburgh Conspiracy Chapter 8: Hamilton & the Principle of Justice in the 1780s Chapter 9: Hamilton & and National Union in the 1780s Chapter 10: The Constitutional Convention Chapter 11: Leading the Charge for Ratification Chapter 12: Secretary of the Treasury Chapter 13: Establishing the Public Credit Chapter 14: The National Bank Chapter 15: America Divided Chapter 16: The Genet Affair Chapter 17: Suppressing the Whiskey Rebellion Chapter 18: Retirements Chapter 19: Quasi-War with France (and the Democratic-Republicans) Chapter 20: The Election of 1800 and the Retreat from Politics Chapter 21: The Duel Epilogue Chronology Bibliographic Essay
Recommended. General readers.
— Choice Reviews
In "Hamilton: An American Biography" Williams expertly weaves together biography with historical events to place Hamilton as one of the most important founding fathers. For readers just discovering Hamilton for the first time or those with an insatiable appetite for books on the Founders and the American Founding, "Hamilton: An American Biography" will shed new light on this American icon now experiencing a remarkable second act... Unreservedly recommended for both community and academic library American Biography collections and Alexander Hamilton supplemental studies lists.
— Midwest Book Review
Hamilton: An American Biography provides an engaging and accessible narrative that gives an overview of Hamilton’s life placed within the context of his times. Williams achieves a good balance between delivering an accurate historical account and tackling misconceptions about Hamilton while at the same time creating an account that is not overwhelming for readers who are new to Hamilton and the Founders. . . Providing an excellent foundation for those just beginning a journey with the Founding Fathers and a pleasurable read for long time students of the period, this book deserves a place on the bookshelf of any Hamilton enthusiast.
— Journal of the American Revolution
“Hamilton: An American Biography is an erudite but accessible biography of a man who remains one of the least understood Founding Fathers despite (and perhaps because of) the hoopla surrounding the Broadway production based on Ron Chernow’s massive opus. Tony Williams manages, where Chernow did not, to present a clear and succinct case for Hamilton’s continued relevance in the twenty-first century United States."
— Edward G. Lengel, author of "General George Washington: A Military Life" and chief historian of the White House Historical Association
"In Hamilton: An American Biography, Tony Williams has crafted a wonderfully accessible exploration of Alexander Hamiltons life, political philosophy, and contributions to the establishment of the American Republic…I can easily see this book in the hands of students around the country eager to learn more about Alexander Hamilton, or even a casual reader of American history looking for an easily readable volume before he or she goes to see the hit Broadway musical."
— Julie Silverbrook, executive director, The Constitutional Sources Project (ConSource)
“This lively and well researched short biography is a wonderful introduction to the noblest, yet most tragically flawed American founder. It may be ideal for precocious youths seeking greater challenges in their reading. Because Hamilton’s story of rising from obscurity to greatness parallels the rise of America, it is also a marvelous civics lesson.”
— Karl Walling, United States Naval War College
