Hamilton Bio

[Jeff Lebowski]

Anyone here read the Alexander Hamilton bio by Chernow?

http://www.amazon.com/Alexander-Hami...58/ref=ed_oe_p

Worth the effort?

[creekster]

Anyone here read the Alexander Hamilton bio by Chernow?

http://www.amazon.com/Alexander-Hami...58/ref=ed_oe_p

Worth the effort?

ABsolutely. I loved the book. I very much enjoyed this one.

[landpoke]

I agree, very good book. Chernow also wrote a very nice bio of Rockefeller called Titan.

[PaloAltoCougar]

I'm just starting the book and I can tell I'm going to like it. Coincidentally, I just got tickets to see the musical Hamilton (which the author claims was inspired by Chernow's book) when we're in NYC in December. It's getting buzz and ticket sales similar to The BoM, but I'm prepared to hate it. I'm not sure hip hop and the Federalist Papers were meant for each other.

P.S. It makes me sad this post follows a landpoke offering.

[Jeff Lebowski]

I'm just starting the book and I can tell I'm going to like it. Coincidentally, I just got tickets to see the musical Hamilton (which the author claims was inspired by Chernow's book) when we're in NYC in December. It's getting buzz and ticket sales similar to The BoM, but I'm prepared to hate it. I'm not sure hip hop and the Federalist Papers were meant for each other.

P.S. It makes me sad this post follows a landpoke offering.

Hey, I forgot about this thread. I read the bio and loved it. One of my all-time favorite books. Hamilton was a genius.

Curse that stupid wanker, Aaron Burr.

[Omaha 680]

Hey, I forgot about this thread. I read the bio and loved it. One of my all-time favorite books. Hamilton was a genius.

Curse that stupid wanker, Aaron Burr.

Hey, I just started this book and so far it's fantastic. I'm about 1/4 of the way into it. I did take a short break to blow through that "So You've Been Publicly Shamed" book you mentioned elsewhere. Just finished that one tonight (great recommendation). So I'll be back with Alex tomorrow.

[old_gregg]

I'm just starting the book and I can tell I'm going to like it. Coincidentally, I just got tickets to see the musical Hamilton (which the author claims was inspired by Chernow's book) when we're in NYC in December. It's getting buzz and ticket sales similar to The BoM, but I'm prepared to hate it. I'm not sure hip hop and the Federalist Papers were meant for each other.

P.S. It makes me sad this post follows a landpoke offering.

saw it a couple weeks ago and loved it

[PaloAltoCougar]

I finished this recently, loved it, and I continue to reflect on the book and the man. Among the many thoughts and reactions I've had (none profound or original, I acknowledge):

--Taking Hamilton off the Ten instead of Jackson off the Twenty is absurdly inappropriate. Hamilton probably did more for this country than any non-President, and most Presidents for that matter. Jackson's legacy doesn't come close to Hamilton's accomplishments.

--How could such a brilliant, responsible man (he arranged his affairs prior to his duel with Burr so that all of his clients' matters weren't jeopardized) participate in such a stupid "matter of honor," knowing that he would be leaving a wife and children whom he adored potentially destitute?

--I can't think of anyone in American history that started from such humble beginnings and went on to accomplish so much. And by accomplishments I'm not referring to the accumulation of wealth but to accomplishments that had a beneficial effect on others.

--It's always interesting how even the most brilliant people do some really stupid things occasionally (Hamilton engaged in the first sex scandal in U.S. political history)

--Eliza Hamilton was an outstanding woman who deserves a greater legacy than history affords her--I enjoyed her put-down former President James Monroe

[Jeff Lebowski]

I finished this recently, loved it, and I continue to reflect on the book and the man. Among the many thoughts and reactions I've had (none profound or original, I acknowledge):

--Taking Hamilton off the Ten instead of Jackson off the Twenty is absurdly inappropriate. Hamilton probably did more for this country than any non-President, and most Presidents for that matter. Jackson's legacy doesn't come close to Hamilton's accomplishments.

--How could such a brilliant, responsible man (he arranged his affairs prior to his duel with Burr so that all of his clients' matters weren't jeopardized) participate in such a stupid "matter of honor," knowing that he would be leaving a wife and children whom he adored potentially destitute?

--I can't think of anyone in American history that started from such humble beginnings and went on to accomplish so much. And by accomplishments I'm not referring to the accumulation of wealth but to accomplishments that had a beneficial effect on others.

--It's always interesting how even the most brilliant people do some really stupid things occasionally (Hamilton engaged in the first sex scandal in U.S. political history)

--Eliza Hamilton was an outstanding woman who deserves a greater legacy than history affords her--I enjoyed her put-down former President James Monroe

Have you seen the play yet? Anxious to hear your review. I am listening to the soundtrack right now on Spotify.

Remind me of what Eliza said to James Monroe.

[Clark Addison]

When we were in NY in August I really wanted to see the show, but the rest of my family was not as enthusiastic, so we stuck with Matilda and Les Miz.

[Jeff Lebowski]

When we were in NY in August I really wanted to see the show, but the rest of my family was not as enthusiastic, so we stuck with Matilda and Les Miz.

How did you like Matilda?

[Clark Addison]

How did you like Matilda?

Actually really liked it a lot. We didn't know all that much about it, and went for the kids, but both my wife and I thought it was a great show. One of the best I've seen. The kids, from ages 10 to 20, also loved it.

[Jeff Lebowski]

Actually really liked it a lot. We didn't know all that much about it, and went for the kids, but both my wife and I thought it was a great show. One of the best I've seen. The kids, from ages 10 to 20, also loved it.

The wife and I loved it. That opening number right after the intermission by Matilda's father had us laughing so hard I thought we would pass out.

[PaloAltoCougar]

Have you seen the play yet? Anxious to hear your review. I am listening to the soundtrack right now on Spotify.

Remind me of what Eliza said to James Monroe.

We're going to spend the week before Christmas week in NYC and we'll see it then, among other fun stuff. Here's the section about the Eliza/Monroe confrontation in her home:

You’ll recall it was Monroe who, long before his presidency, had leaked very damaging information about Hamilton (some true, much of it not). The extent of Monroe’s calumnies (great word, btw, used a lot by gentlemen of that era when rebuking others) didn’t come to light until after Hamilton’s death. Many years later, and after his presidency, Monroe paid a visit to Eliza who had become revered for her life’s work and for having been among the Founding Fathers. From the book (page 728):

With a bow, Monroe began what sounded like a well-rehearsed speech, stating “that it was many years since they had met, that the lapse of time brought its softening influences, that they both were nearing the grave, when past differences could be forgiven and forgotten.”

Eliza saw that Monroe was trying to draw a moral equation between them and apportion blame equally for the long rupture in their relationship. Even at this late date, thirty years after the fact, she was not in a forgiving mood. “Mr. Monroe,” she told him, if you have come to tell me that you repent, that you are sorry, very sorry, for the misrepresentations and the slanders and the stories you circulated against my dear husband, if you have come to say this, I understand it. But otherwise, no lapse of time, no nearness to the grave, makes any difference.” Monroe took in this rebuke without comment. Stunned by the fiery words delivered by the elderly little woman in widow’s weeds, the ex-president picked up his hat, bid Eliza good day, and left the house, never to return.

After I read it, it occurred to me the same exchange would occur if Obama visits IPU or '71 long after his presidency; substitute "Mitt" for "husband", and I think it's pretty close.

[old_gregg]

Actually really liked it a lot. We didn't know all that much about it, and went for the kids, but both my wife and I thought it was a great show. One of the best I've seen. The kids, from ages 10 to 20, also loved it.

yeah, we liked it too. tim minchin did a great job.