Alexander Hamilton: The Illustrated Biography
by Richard Sylla
288 pages
Sterling Publishing
Release Date: November 15, 2016

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There is no doubt that Alexander Hamilton is one of the most compelling of America’s Founding Fathers. Students of American history will recognize Hamilton as the notorious rival to Thomas Jefferson – or perhaps as the prime force behind The Federalist Papers and the nation’s first Secretary of the Treasury.

Ron Chernow catalyzed modern interest in Hamilton with his 2004 biography “Alexander Hamilton.”  Lin-Manuel Miranda’s Broadway production of “Hamilton,” inspired by Chernow’s biography, and has only accentuated Hamilton’s reputation.

Now, for everyone interested in this flawed but fascinating historical figure, comes Richard Sylla’s “Alexander Hamilton: The Illustrated Biography.”  There are few (if any) reviews of this book out as of the release date…but I must admit it looks fascinating.  I’m still embarked on my journey through the Best Presidential Biographies but rest assured that Alexander Hamilton is one of the first non-presidents about whom I will be reading once I finish my current POTUS-adventure!

If you happen to read this – or any – biography of Alexander Hamilton, please let me know what you think!

Third-party reviews and links (some sites may require subscription):

• Information regarding the book’s launch tonight in New York
• Richard Sylla’s NYU Stern School of Business faculty profile

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From the publisher:

“This richly illustrated biography portrays Alexander Hamilton’s fascinating life alongside his key contributions to American history, including his unsung role as an early abolitionist. An immigrant from the West Indies, he played a crucial part in the political, legal, and economic development of the new nation: He served as Washington’s right-hand man during the Revolutionary War; he helped establish the Constitution; he wrote most of The Federalist Papers; and he modernized America’s fledgling finances, among other notable achievements. Noted Hamilton scholar and chairman of the Museum of American Finance, Richard Sylla, brings the flesh-and-blood man—student, soldier, lawyer, political scientist, finance minister, and politician—to life and reveals captivating details of his private life as well as his infamous demise at the hands of Vice President Aaron Burr, expertly telling Hamilton’s incredible story like no other.”