Alexander Hamilton

November 15, 2010
Fritz (Leonardo's Horse) pens a wide-ranging biography of one of the founding fathers that details Hamilton's role in events that shaped his adopted, nascent country—fighting in the Revolutionary War, drafting the Constitution, etc. However, readers learn about more than just Hamilton, due in part to his prominent associations (he was a confidant of George Washington, and the book explores their sometimes turbulent relationship). The book's nine chapters are divided into five sections, titled to reflect the broad stages of Hamilton's life: Beginnings, Soldier, Aide-de-Camp, Statesman, and Endings. The packed narrative often speculates to flesh out small details, as when describing Hamilton's funeral, "which may have led many in the audience to nod their head and perhaps sometimes smile in forgiveness." And while the story can feel choppy at times, an overriding theme emerges of Hamilton as a Renaissance man committed to his ideas—among them, the central banking system, U.S. Mint, Coast Guard—and willing to work hard to see them accomplished. Schoenherr's linocut-style vignettes as well as period images, not all seen by PW, break up the text. Ages 8–12.

December 1, 2010

His enemies may have called him an outsider, but Alexander Hamilton was loyal to his adopted country. In a swift and lively narrative, Fritz traces Hamilton's life from his childhood in the West Indies to schooling in America and on to his involvement in just about every phase of the nation's birthing. A soldier in Washington's army, he was later asked to be on Washington's staff as an aide-de-camp, thus beginning a close relationship with the future president. Later, Hamilton was asked to be the first secretary of the treasury for the new nation, the perfect position for a Federalist, who believed in a strong central government, a national bank and a monetary standard. The narrative features abundant detail without ever losing sight of Hamilton the person, no small feat for a work about a complicated man in complex times, and Schoenherr's black-and-white illustrations are a perfect complement to the text. The volume comes to an unfortunately perfunctory conclusion with Hamilton's death in his duel with Aaron Burr, though source notes add interesting additional reading. (preface, bibliography) (Biography. 9-12)

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February 1, 2011

Gr 6-9-Fritz covers a lot of territory in this slim biography. She recounts the facts of Hamilton's life from his birth to unwed parents in Nevis, West Indies, in 1755 (or 1757) to his death in New York in 1804 in a duel with Aaron Burr. The book is divided into five parts: "Beginnings," "Soldier," "Aide-de-Camp," "Statesman," and "Endings," and highlights Hamilton's talents as an essayist and his influence in the creation of the early federal government, especially its financial infrastructure. Illustrations, period reproductions, and maps all add to the wealth of historical events brought to life by this knowledgeable author. For teachers looking for an independent read that supports curriculum, the book provides a richly detailed and eye-opening account of this important American's personal history. Its length and the illustrations suggest a young audience, but the language, amount of information, and organization of the text may require more mature readers or eager students of American history.-Karen Elliott, Grafton High School, WI

Copyright 2011 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

Starred review from January 1, 2011
Grades 5-8 *Starred Review* Fritz, a notable biographer of the Revolutionary War period for young people, provides a brisk, well-written account introducing Founding Father Alexander Hamilton as an outsider to America. Raised in the West Indies, Hamilton traveled to New York for his education in 1773 and became immersed in the political turmoil that led to the Revolutionary War. Joining the army as an artillery captain, he became an aide-de-camp to General Washington and led an attack at Yorktown. After the war, he served in Congress, at the Constitutional Convention, and as the first secretary of the treasury before sustaining a mortal wound in a duel with his longtime rival, Aaron Burr. Fast moving and engaging, this straightforward biography acknowledges Hamiltons flaws while portraying him as an intelligent, energetic man who rose to the challenge of his times. In addition to the black-and-white reproductions of period paintings and prints that illustrate the text, Schoenherrs striking, engraving-like images of Hamilton as scholar, soldier, aide-de-camp, statesman, and duelist introduce each section. The appended section of notes deals with historical background information, rather than sources for facts or quotes, but a source bibliography is included. This lively biography sheds light on Hamiltons character and his place at the nations beginnings.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2011, American Library Association.)