Alexander Hamilton, a life
by Willard Sterne Randall
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"Hamilton's turbulent life, the dramatic birth of a nation, all against the richly evoked gritty background of the 18th century--Randall's book is propelled with the page-turning intensity of an epic novel." - Ronald Blumer, Peabody Award-winning writer A new reissue of this important biography of Alexander Hamilton-arguably one of the most brilliant and complex of our nation's founders. From his less than auspicious start in 1755 on the Caribbean island of Nevis, to his unhappy fate in 1804 show more in Weehawken, New Jersey, at the hands of his enemy Aaron Burr, Alexander Hamilton's short life left a huge legacy. Orphaned at eleven and apprenticed to a counting house, Hamilton learned the principles of business that helped him, as the first Secretary of the Treasury, create the American banking system and invent the modern corporation. He served in the American Revolution, primarily as aide-de-camp to General Washington, and subsequently developed a successful legal career, co-wrote The Federalist Papers, and built a life in politics. Told in a highly readable style, Alexander Hamilton presents Hamilton's contributions to America, and what they mean today. show lessTags
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Member Reviews
After learning that Alexander Hamilton was going to be replaced by a woman on the $10 bill, I picked this book up to learn more about just who were were replacing. Coming from almost complete ignorance, I found this book to be surprisingly fascinating and engaging as the author dug in deep to who exactly Hamilton was. We discover the foundations of likely thought process and yet aren't shielded from his weaknesses, mainly concerning women and his multiple affairs.
Born as a bastard on a Caribbean island, through hard work and excelling in what he did, he slowly found himself moving to America to study with the help of his sponsors where he became caught up with the founding of this country.
Though I don't want to go into too many show more details, Hamilton was certainly an extraordinary person who helped shape this country and save it from falling apart at its founding.
Whoever is chosen to replace him on the $10 certainly have enormous shoes to fill. show less
Born as a bastard on a Caribbean island, through hard work and excelling in what he did, he slowly found himself moving to America to study with the help of his sponsors where he became caught up with the founding of this country.
Though I don't want to go into too many show more details, Hamilton was certainly an extraordinary person who helped shape this country and save it from falling apart at its founding.
Whoever is chosen to replace him on the $10 certainly have enormous shoes to fill. show less
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Author Information
29+ Works 2,180 Members
Willard Sterne Randall is an American historian and author who specializes in biographies related to the American colonial period and the American Revolution. He was born on March 13, 1942 in Philadelphia, PA. His books include: A Little Revenge: Benjamin Franklin & His Son, Benedict Arnold: Patriot and Traitor, Thomas Jefferson: A Life and Ethan show more Allen: His Life and Times. Randall also teaches American history at Champlain College in Burlington, Vermont. (Bowker Author Biography) show less
Awards and Honors
Common Knowledge
- Canonical title
- Alexander Hamilton, a life
- Original publication date
- 2003
- People/Characters
- Alexander Hamilton; Elizabeth Schuyler Hamilton; Aaron Burr; James Madison; John Jay
- Important places
- Nevis, Leeward Islands; New York, USA; British West Indies
- Important events
- American Revolution (1775 | 1783); Burr-Hamilton Duel (1804-07-11)
Classifications
- Genres
- History, Nonfiction, Biography & Memoir, General Nonfiction
- DDC/MDS
- 973.4092 — History & geography History of North America United States Constitutional period (1789-1809) Constitutional period (1789-1809) Constitutional history
- LCC
- E302.6 .H2 .R25 — History of the United States United States Revolution to the Civil War, 1775/1783-1861 Biography (Late eighteenth century)
- BISAC
Statistics
- Members
- 307
- Popularity
- 104,181
- Reviews
- 1
- Rating
- (3.91)
- Languages
- English
- Media
- Paper, Ebook
- ISBNs
- 3
- UPCs
- 1
- ASINs
- 2
