Alexander Hamilton

He was one of the most controversial and misunderstood figures in American history. In this biography, Chernow sets the record straight, showing that he was motivated not by self-interest, but by a passion for patriotism and a determination to build a prosperous and powerful America.

In this groundbreaking biography, Ron Chernow presents a more human portrait of the subject than ever seen before. From his shame about his birth to his fiery aspirations, from his intimate relationships with childhood friends to his titanic feuds with Jefferson, Madison, Adams, Monroe, and Burr, and from his highly public affair with Maria Reynolds to his loving marriage to his loyal wife Eliza, we see a figure who is more relatable and complex than ever before. And never before has there been a more vivid account of the subject's famous and mysterious death in a duel with Aaron Burr in July of 1804. Chernow's biography is not just a portrait of the man himself but also the story of America's birth seen through its most central figure.

It will remind readers of the purpose of our institutions and our heritage as Americans at a critical time when it is important to look back to our roots.