Alexander Hamilton Analysis

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From his birth on the island of Nevis to an unwed mother, to his death in the legendary Hamilton-Burr duel, Alexander Hamilton’s life (1755-1804) is surrounded by mythic stories and rich anecdotal folklore. Many wonder who the true Hamilton was, and in Ron Chernow’s Alexander Hamilton, truth is separated from fiction in a hefty 832-page account. Using a journalistic lens, Chernow deftly breaks down the life of one of the most controversial founding fathers in bite size pieces, in the end leaving the reader with a smorgasbord of knowledge about the most important era of American history.
Hamilton was instrumental in the creation of America, many historians considering him second only to George Washington. His sharp-witted and enlightening Federalist Papers had a huge impact on the foundation of a central government system, and Hamilton’s tenure as Secretary of the Treasury left his face on the ten-dollar bill. Chernow begins Alexander Hamilton by investigating Hamilton’s shadowy …show more content…
At first it seems that, surely, in 832 pages, Chernow could not have left much out of the account. Yet at the same time, Chernow has created an illusion of a complete, objective, and rich history of Hamilton’s life. There’s always room for unanswered questions, to agree with some of the arguments of the Anti-Federalists, and to be openly critical of Hamilton’s character. As I take a step back from reading Alexander Hamilton, I’m forced to realize that the Hamilton the reader falls in love with could just as well be a myth. As Chernow dives deeply into the relatable side of Hamilton’s character, he essentially forces the reader to remove all skepticism and criticism and become personally involved in the narrative. We want Hamilton to succeed, to prosper, to get the girl, to win the duel. Chernow creates an illusion that forces the reader away from objectivity and into a finite corner of scripted warm fuzzy feelings for
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