Alexander hamilton biography by ron chernow georgetown

Chernow exhibits an extraordinary level of literary fluency and his narrative possesses a consistently erudite flair which is wonderfully colorful, surprisingly fluid and appropriately detailed and descriptive while assiduously avoiding pointless minutiae. His ability to set a scene and describe events is almost unmatched, and nearly every sentence — particularly in early chapters — seems a carefully constructed literary masterpiece.

Throughout the book Chernow demonstrates an uncommon gift for introducing new characters in a way that they become instantly unforgettable.

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For all its positive attributes, however, this biography does not provide all readers with an effortless or carefree reading experience. And certain characters — Thomas Jefferson and James Monroe most notably — come across rather badly. They are generally portrayed as two-dimensional caricatures rather than nuanced and complex personalities.

Finally, while the book is almost uniformly engaging, brief sections near its mid-point feel comparatively lethargic. And if this is not the quintessential — and almost perfect — biography, then surely none exists. Scott said:. March 9, at pm. I have to read this. I tried digging into the Federalist Papers a few years back and got sidetracked.

This is a good way return. Steve said:. But as good a biographical subject as Washington proves to be, Hamilton provides even more raw material and Chernow made the most of it. Teacher in Tejas said:.