The Hamilton Affair

I thought this was a very good historical novel. I don’t usually like fictional accounts of real people, but I feel that Cobbs did a fantastic job of exploring the complexities and passions of Hamilton. She tackles head-on the ugly tactics used by many of the politicians, and she doesn’t flinch from addressing the hypocrisy of some of the founding fathers, particularly Jefferson. War, politics, finances, romance—the sweeping scope of this novel is undeniable, yet the story still manages to feel very personal. Hamilton comes off as a great man who, like all humans, makes mistakes. The first half of the novel moves slowly, but the second half picks up quite a bit, building up to an emotionally charged, unforgettable ending. Beautiful.

I’ve always liked Alexander Hamilton, a Founding Father who thought a strong central government was key to success and a strong financial basis for a new nation key to growth. I’ve read where he’s been demonized by his fellow patriots for his views. It was a fantastic change to see him humanized in the middle, neither a firm monarchist nor a superhuman figure. His relationship with Elizabeth Schuyler is explored with as adept a skill. I thoroughly enjoyed this look at an often misunderstood man.

As mentioned, Hamilton was portrayed fantastically as a three-dimensional man. I loved seeing his journey in growth from a man of uncertain beginnings to a deviser of national finances and industrial growth. Each step in his life from show more apprentice to warrior to father to Secretary of the Treasury is given equal measure. I liked seeing his insecurities in regards to his origins and what he deserved out of life; he grew from them to become real to me beyond words on a page.

I also liked how the author portrayed Elizabeth, though she didn't spend as much time on her. She's made out as a practical, sensible woman looking to make her own way in the world and love in marriage, a thought far removed from the norm of the day. I felt she was a wonderful balance for Alexander's ambition and intelligence.

Seeing the American Revolution, early Colonial society, and the early years of a struggling republic also made for intriguing reading. Besides fighting for a common ideal and enemy, so many opinions and plans were involved with the shaping of our country. It's fascinating to contemplate where the nation might have gone if Jefferson and Madison had had their way...

The author's done a great job of balancing the intimate of characters and relationship with the broadness of history, war, and politics. I got to know the Hamiltons well enough to make them feel real. I feel this is a worthy read for any lover of the era, the American Revolution and Founding Fathers in particular. show less

If you don’t already know about Alexander Hamilton’s role as a founding father, then not only did you not pay attention in history class, but you’ve been living under a rock these past few years as the musical H✰milton has swept the Tony awards.

Cobbs is an historian, who also occasionally writes a work of historical fiction. She started researching this novel, got intrigued by the subject, and was told by her publisher that “No one knows about this guy or wants to read about him … Snooze!” But she was convinced that the story was a good one. Several years into the project, a friend told her, “You have to see the You-Tube video of this guy reading a rap poem about Hamilton at the White House!” (It was Lin Manuel show more Miranda, and this eventually became the hit musical.)

I thought I knew Hamilton’s story, but there were still things in this novel that caught my attention and made me take notice. I was interested and engaged from beginning to end.

Cobbs tells the story in alternating perspectives: Alexander and Eliza each get a turn at relating events. In this way we get some insight into each character’s background, guiding principles, joys, sorrows and desires. I really appreciated how strong a character Cobb’s Eliza is. And while Cobbs’ sympathies were clearly with Hamilton, she did not shy away from pointing out his faults, infidelity being perhaps the least of them.

Our F2F book group had a spirited discussion, made all the more enjoyable by a Skype visit from the author. show less

I should probably wait until the tears subside to write a review, but then I'll forget. This is a beautiful love story of two inspiring, if imperfect, people. Hamilton's affair with Maria Reynolds burns me up, but his love for Eliza and hers for him are the things that I think everyone aspires to. This book was well written, although there were a few spelling/printing errors that I wish had been caught and corrected before it went to print, and it strengthens my Hamilton obsession.

I bought this book for my Kindle as a ‘special offer’ a year or two after it came out. It sat in my Kindle library waiting and waiting and I finally started reading it. And…I got a quarter of the way in before I gave it up. I just couldn’t get into it. Mostly because I couldn’t get around the way it was written.

I love a good historical novel which this one wasn’t.The narrative is episodic, jumps forward in leaps — often skipping several years at a time — and gives only a glimpse into what’s happening with the characters at that particular time, before fast-forwarding to the next. How these characters get to each new point in the story is handled in odd brief flashbacks.
The made the chapters seem a bit like tableaux show more vivant: capturing a moment with very little insight into how that moment came to be.

So, because life’s too short and there are so many wonderful books still to discover, I let this one go. show less

Author Elizabeth Cobbs covers much ground in this novel about Elizabeth and Alexander Hamilton. We get their back stories as children, how they meet and fall in love, and marry and have children. We learn about the type of people they were, to themselves, to each other, and to the world. Both were people of character, but not perfect. Cobbs clearly illustrates the problems each had and how they coped. Well written, true to history, and yet fleshed out with fiction, these character come alive on the page. You will feel their success and anguish as they strive to create a better life for themselves and for others in a fedgling country. Cobbs does a very credible job in making us see history in perhaps a new light with more personal show more aspects of their lives. show less

With the popularity of the musical, there seems to be an uptick in historical novels written about Alexander Hamilton and his wife Eliza. I really liked how this story started by alternating between Alexander and Eliza during their childhoods and slowly building toward their romance. The second half of the book, where Alexander is at the peak of his influence and committing adultery while Eliza raises babies, is the portion where I struggled to get through. Despite this, the book was pretty good overall and certainly something Hamilton fans will want to read.