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Book Review By Susanna Marlowe
Alexander Hamilton by Ron Chernow

Alexander Hamilton was born in St. Croix in 1755 or 1757. Hamilton's father abandoned the family and his mother died when he was 14. He was befriended by a wealthy gentlemen, who sent him to New York in 1773 to attend boarding school.

He arrived just in time for the American Revolution. His teachers noticed that he was brilliant. By 1776, he was writing widely read pamphlets about the revolutionary cause. During the Revolutionary War, he served as George Washington's right hand man.

He was a member of the Constitutional Convention. He wrote most of the Federalist papers, which were a defense of the Constitution. When Washington became president, he made Hamilton head of the first Treasury Department.

His fortunes began to change after John Adams became president. Thomas Jefferson became Hamiltion's ardent opponent. Hamilton struggled to keep his political career alive, but got into a fight with Aaron Burr. Burr challenged him to a duel and killed him. Hamilton was not yet 50 years old when he died.


Plot & Themes
Job/profession/poverty story Yes
Politician story? - revolutionary (non-communist)
Period of greatest activity? - 1600-1899 -

Subject of Biography
Gender - Male
Profession/status:
Ethnicity - White
Nationality - American
Unusual characteristics:

Setting
How much descriptions of surroundings? - 5 ()
United States Yes
The US: - Northeast
City? Yes
City: - New York - Washington D.C.
Century: - 18th century

Writing Style
Book makes you feel? - thoughtful
Graphic sex in book? Yes
What kind of sex: -
Pictures/Illustrations? - A ton 16-20 B&W
How much dialogue in bio? - little dialog
How much of bio focuses on most famous period of life? - 51%-75% of book
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