School Library Journal Starred Review

Gr 7 Up-rockenbrough engagingly re-creates the complex character and eventful life of Alexander Hamilton in her nuanced biography. The author explores this eloquent, passionate, and principled founding father, from his illegitimate birth on the Caribbean island of Nevis to his fatal duel with Aaron Burr. The chronological narrative relies on thorough research to present details of Hamilton as an orphan, student, Revolutionary War hero, writer, doting husband and father, womanizer, politician, and public servant. Delving into his relationships with George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Burr, John Adams, James Madison, the Schuyler sisters, and Maria Reynolds, the author tempers what would otherwise be a glowing tribute by investigating Hamilton's all-consuming ambition, love of women, and obsessive devotion to being a man of honor. Readers not well versed in American history will appreciate the clear, approachable syntax and storytelling that compellingly presents complicated events and ideas. Judicious use of primary and secondary sources ensures historical accuracy as the title provides insight into Hamilton's thoughts and offers a welcome scattering of humorous anecdotes. The prose strengthens as the well-paced work progresses; Brockenbrough hits her stride with a suspenseful description of the Battle of Yorktown. A few direct quotes from primary sources contain potentially problematic language ("Celia's an artful little slut," opens a poem written by a teenage Hamilton, reproduced here in the back matter). VERDICT A highly enjoyable, well-researched biography of Alexander Hamilton that both applauds his significant accomplishments and highlights his flaws. Consider for sophisticated readers.Kate Reid, The Allen-Stevenson School, New York

ALA Booklist

Let's face it: as a subject, Alexander Hamilton is hot, thanks to the wildly popular Broadway musical bearing his name. This brings a built-in audience to Brockenbrough's ambitious biography, which follows Hamilton's eventful life from his illegitimate birth in the West Indies to his appointment by George Washington as America's first Secretary of the Treasury. Brockenbrough gives particular attention to Hamilton's service in the Revolutionary War and to his role as Washington's protégé, which gave him influence far beyond his rank. Those expecting a warts-and-all look, however, will be disappointed. The few flaws the author offers milton's vanity, his recklessness, his ill-advised extramarital affair, his obsession with honor, which would be his undoing e largely papered over or dismissed. By the same token, his adversaries, especially Thomas Jefferson and James Madison, are often strongly demonized. All this said, Hamilton's life is an inspiration, a fact that Brockenbrough captures nicely in a well-written biography that fills a gap in the literature. Expect wide reader interest.

Horn Book

The dramatic tale of a "penniless nobody" who became a key player in the birth of a new nation is conveyed in a lively narrative occasionally marred by awkward phrasing and unusual design elements. Brockenbrough is less dispassionate biographer than cheerleader for Hamilton's legacy. Readers mature enough for this volume might skip to Ron Chernow's Alexander Hamilton. Timeline. Bib, ind.

Kirkus Reviews

Over 200 years after his death in a duel with former Vice President Aaron Burr, founding father Alexander Hamilton's story is a major player in popular culture. Brockenbrough begins her narrative with a list of the contradictions of Hamilton's life and then sets out to describe many of them in detail. Hamilton's wretched childhood and struggles for survival and an education set a tone that depicts him as the consummate self-made man whose flaws damaged both his political career and personal life. Hamilton's courtship and marriage to Elizabeth Schuyler, a daughter of one of the country's most influential families, is a key part, along with prominent figures from American history. Sometimes the intricacies of Revolutionary War strategy and Constitutional Convention maneuvering slow things down, making the pace uneven. However, tidbits about Hamilton's role in the episode with Benedict Arnold and his close relationships with fellow soldier John Laurens and his sister-in-law Angelica Church are intriguing. The story is targeted to an older audience than Teri Kanefield's Alexander Hamilton: The Making of America (2017), so the sex scandal that derailed Hamilton's political career is part of the story, as is, of course, the duel that ended his life. After the epilogue, the volume includes information on 18th-century medicine, attire, and warfare among other contextualizing topics ; the volume will be illustrated with archival material (not seen). With the demand for all things Hamilton still strong, this will resonate with many teen readers. (timeline, source notes, bibliography, index) (Biography. 12-18)

Publishers Weekly (Fri Oct 06 00:00:00 CDT 2023)

Brockenbrough-s ambitious and impressively researched project gives equal weight to Alexander Hamilton-s personal and professional lives and to the history of the founding and early years of the United States. Tracing Hamilton-s amazing journey from his illegitimate birth in 1755 on the West Indies island of Nevis to his death by duel in 1804, Brockenbrough (The Game of Love and Death) dives into the extraordinary life of this accomplished and multifaceted historical figure. Packed with characters and detailed descriptions of the major historical events of the late 18th century, including many Revolutionary battle scenes, the book-s scope is somewhat daunting; even readers newly obsessed with Hamilton, thanks to Lin-Manuel Miranda-s blockbuster musical, may feel overwhelmed at times. The colloquial tone is approachable, though attempts to create suspense through dramatic pronouncements (-It would be unlike anything the world had ever seen-) become a little worn. Nearly 80 pages of back matter include a family tree, timeline, list of major Revolutionary battles, bibliography, and footnotes, as well as around two dozen short essays on topics that include duels, wig wearing, and Federalism. Ages 12-up. Agent: Sarah Davies, Greenhouse Literary. (Sept.)