Alexander Hamilton, Revolutionary

June 26, 2017
Brockenbrough’s ambitious and impressively researched project gives equal weight to Alexander Hamilton’s personal and professional lives and to the history of the founding and early years of the United States. Tracing Hamilton’s amazing journey from his illegitimate birth in 1755 on the West Indies island of Nevis to his death by duel in 1804, Brockenbrough (The Game of Love and Death) dives into the extraordinary life of this accomplished and multifaceted historical figure. Packed with characters and detailed descriptions of the major historical events of the late 18th century, including many Revolutionary battle scenes, the book’s scope is somewhat daunting; even readers newly obsessed with Hamilton, thanks to Lin-Manuel Miranda’s blockbuster musical, may feel overwhelmed at times. The colloquial tone is approachable, though attempts to create suspense through dramatic pronouncements (“It would be unlike anything the world had ever seen”) become a little worn. Nearly 80 pages of back matter include a family tree, timeline, list of major Revolutionary battles, bibliography, and footnotes, as well as around two dozen short essays on topics that include duels, wig wearing, and Federalism. Ages 12–up. Agent: Sarah Davies, Greenhouse Literary.

June 1, 2017

Gr 7 Up-Brockenbrough engagingly re-creates the complex character and eventful life of Alexander Hamilton in her nuanced biography. The author explores this eloquent, passionate, and principled founding father, from his illegitimate birth on the Caribbean island of Nevis to his fatal duel with Aaron Burr. The chronological narrative relies on thorough research to present details of Hamilton as an orphan, student, Revolutionary War hero, writer, doting husband and father, womanizer, politician, and public servant. Delving into his relationships with George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Burr, John Adams, James Madison, the Schuyler sisters, and Maria Reynolds, the author tempers what would otherwise be a glowing tribute by investigating Hamilton's all-consuming ambition, love of women, and obsessive devotion to being a man of honor. Readers not well versed in American history will appreciate the clear, approachable syntax and storytelling that compellingly presents complicated events and ideas. Judicious use of primary and secondary sources ensures historical accuracy as the title provides insight into Hamilton's thoughts and offers a welcome scattering of humorous anecdotes. The prose strengthens as the well-paced work progresses; Brockenbrough hits her stride with a suspenseful description of the Battle of Yorktown. VERDICT A highly enjoyable, well-researched biography of Alexander Hamilton that both applauds his significant accomplishments and highlights his flaws. Consider for sophisticated readers.-Kate Reid, The Allen-Stevenson School, New York

Copyright 2017 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

August 1, 2017
Grades 7-10 Let's face it: as a subject, Alexander Hamilton is hot, thanks to the wildly popular Broadway musical bearing his name. This brings a built-in audience to Brockenbrough's ambitious biography, which follows Hamilton's eventful life from his illegitimate birth in the West Indies to his appointment by George Washington as America's first Secretary of the Treasury. Brockenbrough gives particular attention to Hamilton's service in the Revolutionary War and to his role as Washington's protege, which gave him influence far beyond his rank. Those expecting a warts-and-all look, however, will be disappointed. The few flaws the author offersHamilton's vanity, his recklessness, his ill-advised extramarital affair, his obsession with honor, which would be his undoingare largely papered over or dismissed. By the same token, his adversaries, especially Thomas Jefferson and James Madison, are often strongly demonized. All this said, Hamilton's life is an inspiration, a fact that Brockenbrough captures nicely in a well-written biography that fills a gap in the literature. Expect wide reader interest.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2017, American Library Association.)