Hamilton: An American Biography

by Tony Williams

Overview

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.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781538100172
Publisher:	Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, Inc.
Publication date:	04/15/2018
Pages:	208
Product dimensions:	5.70(w) x 8.60(h) x 1.00(d)

About the Author

Tony Williams is the author or coauthor of five books of colonial and Revolutionary history including Washington & Hamilton: The Alliance that Forged America (with Stephen Knott); The Jamestown Experiment: The Remarkable Story of the Enterprising Colony and the Unexpected Results that Shaped America; America’s Beginnings: The Dramatic Events that Shaped a Nation’s Character; The Pox and the Covenant: Franklin, Mather, and the Epidemic that Changed America’s Destiny; Hurricane of Independence: The Deadly Storm at the Deciding Moment of the American Revolution. He resides in Williamsburg, VA.

Table of Contents

Introduction Chapter 1: The Rise from Obscurity Chapter 2: The Education of a Patriot Chapter 3: The Crossing Chapter 4: Washington’s 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

Editorial Reviews

04/09/2018
Williams (Washington and Hamilton: The Alliance That Forged America) offers a brief and bland biography of founding father (and Broadway sensation) Alexander Hamilton. Williams starts with Hamilton’s upbringing on the Caribbean islands of Nevis and St. Croix, but focuses mostly on Hamilton’s professional life, his service in the Revolutionary War, his role in the drafting and ratification of the Constitution, and his service in George Washington’s presidential cabinet as the first secretary of the treasury. Williams writes that he adopts a “consciously popular” style, opting “to modernize the quotations for readability and dispense with... referencing primary sources,” and takes a streamlined approach that sacrifices both context and vividness for the sake of brevity. The lack of context, however, can be confusing, as when Williams introduces Hessian soldiers without providing any information about who they were or what role they played in the Revolutionary War. This pared-down approach works better when discussing ideas, as in the book’s treatment of Hamilton and Thomas Jefferson’s differences of opinion about the role of government in society, the aftereffects of which resonate today in the two-party political system. The book fails to capitalize on the current popular interest in its subject, and feels mostly like dreary lecture. (Apr.)

Publishers Weekly

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

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

"In Hamilton: An American Biography, Tony Williams has crafted a wonderfully accessible exploration of Alexander Hamilton's 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

Recommended. General readers.

Choice Reviews

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

Recommended. General readers.

Choice

Recommended. General readers.

CHOICE

"In Hamilton: An American Biography Williams expertly weaves together biography with historical events to place Hamilton as one of the most important founding fathers." ---Midwest Book Review

From the Publisher