Read Ron Chernow’s Alexander Hamilton, the Inspiration Behind the Broadway Juggernaut

Miranda isn’t alone in his love of Chernow’s book. Originally published in 2004, Alexander Hamilton was an instant hit, sitting on the bestseller lists for months. Written by Pulitzer Prize-winning historian Chernow (he won for 2011’s Washington: A Life), it was celebrated as one of the most readable biographies of the modern age. In light of Hamilton mania, there couldn’t be a better time to add it to your to-read pile.
An orphan turned Founding Father
It’s kind of amazing that more people aren’t familiar with Alexander Hamilton in this country. He was a Founding Father, after all. He fought alongside Washington. He shaped the earliest policies of the new country. He almost single-handedly invented the American economy. Add to that his colorful life: born illegitimate, orphaned at a young age, he nevertheless found sponsors for his college tuition and at the age of eighteen, joined a militia company to go fight for what he believed in. After the war he became a member of Washington’s first cabinet, and under President John Adams he was ready to lead an army against France in a war that never quite happened. And, most famously, he worked tirelessly to defeat Aaron Burr in the tied election of 1800, setting off a chain of events that ended when Burr fatally wounded Hamilton in a duel.
If, after reading all that—which is a shallow dip into the incredible life Hamilton packed into forty-seven years—you’re not itching to start this book now, you are dead inside. Or possibly not American. Or both.
An enemy of powerful men
So how is it that such a talented man, such a force in the early days of the United States of America, a man who had such a profound influence on our shared history, is so relatively unknown? Aside from his many personal flaws—not the least of which was agreeing to fight in duels—Hamilton made a lot of enemies because he was one of those brilliant men who often acted without considering diplomacy. Two of those enemies were named John Adams and Thomas Jefferson, men of considerable talent, power, and influence in their own right—and it’s fair to say they both worked very hard to destroy Hamilton in life and beyond, and did a pretty good job of it. Chernow’s book, therefore, isn’t just another biography of a historical figure, it’s the biography of Hamilton, the book that almost single-handedly retrieved Hamilton from the dustbin of history and put him back in the hearts and minds of Americans everywhere.
The book that inspired the show

Which brings us to Hamilton, the amazing Broadway show. This is the book that inspired it. Let’s say that again: the Broadway show that everyone is talking about, that no one can get tickets to, that people enter a lottery for every day of their lives and never seem to win (but we’re not bitter), was inspired by Ron Chernow’s book. The show is almost entirely sung through, which means that with one exception, you can listen to the soundtrack and hear every song and every line written for it—which makes reading Chernow’s book while listening to the cast recording what scientists call an awesome experience.
Chernow Himself
Alexander Hamilton was an extraordinary man. He exploded out of his youth and achieved more in his forty-seven years than most people do in twice the time. And that incredible talent and his placement in history make him an easy subject to obsess over—but let’s not forget what Ron Chernow brings to the table. Alexander Hamilton is easily the most readable history published in recent years, a book that is fun to read but never sacrifices facts, research, or insight. The combination of clear, enjoyable prose and the incredible facts of Hamilton’s life make this a history books that you’ll happily make time for—and miss after you’ve turned the last page.
We may never get to see Hamilton live on stage. But we can read this incredible book—and now’s the time to do it.
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