Customer Reviews

Alexander Hamilton: Writings (Library of America)

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With this volume, Alexander Hamilton assumes his rightful place in the ranks of the Library of America -- not only as a key historical figure in the founding of the Republic, but as a master of political argument and writing. With care and sensitivity, Prof. Joanne B. Freeman of Yale University has assembled the best and most comprehensive one-volume Hamilton collection ever assembled -- but she has done something even more important: She has presented us with a thorough, judicious, and enlightening documentary life of Hamilton. This book will be indispensable to anyone who wants to understand the origins of the Constitution, of the American economy, and of the nation's political system and public life. It also will be indispensable to anyone who wants to understand Alexander Hamilton as a political, constitutional, and economic thinker, as a key shaper of American government and public policy, and as a human being.

-- R. B. Bernstein, Adjunct Professor of Law, New York Law School

With this volume, the Library of America continues its project presenting the best of American culture and thought in an accessible way.

The subject of this volume is Alexander Hamilton. Although John Adams has frequently been regarded as the least understood of the Founders, Hamilton has his own plausible claim to this honor. History has not treated Hamilton kindly. He has certain obvious flaws in terms of arrogance,temper, and judgment.These flaws are amply revealed in this collection of writings. Hamilton, nevertheless, has much to teach us about government and about our country. This collection of his writings is a treasure.

At the outset, I was reluctant to begin a project of reading this volume through in its entirety. As my reading progressed, I couldn't put the volume down.

The book covers all phases of Hamilton's political and personal life, from its beginnings in what is now the U.S. Virgin Islands to his death at age 49 in the notorious duel with Aaron Burr. The heart of the book begins with Hamilton's role in the Constitutional Convention, in which he advocated for a strong Federal government and, in particular for a strong Executive. The book continues with Hamilton's 51 contributions to "The Federalist" in which he explained the Constitution to the people of the State of New York in terms which remain a seminal exposition of the basic governing document of the United States. Again the focus is on the need for a strong central government with a will and ability to act for the public good.

Hamilton was the first Secretary of the Treasury. This book gives us long selections from his work in which he advocated forcefully for having the Federal government pay the Revolutionary War Debt, for founding the Bank of the United States, and in promoting industry in the fledgling United States. These works divided Hamilton from Jefferson and Madison and became the basis of partisan politics in the United States.
In defending the constitutionality of the National Bank from attacks from Jefferson and Madison, Hamilton set the foundation for an expansive view of the power of the Federal government under the constitution. This view was controversial in its time and remains so. Hamilton's position, however, has largely come to prevail over the years and is an important basis for our governmental structure as it has developed over time.

The book includes Hamilton's public confession of an adulterous affair, his criticism of John Adams which divided and doomed the Federalist party, and Hamilton's own political career, and documents regarding Hamilton's fatal duel with Aaron Burr.

There is much to be learned from this book. Hamilton was a paradoxical figure both behind and ahead of his time. This is a valuable work for understanding our country. Kudos to the Library of America for allowing us to learn.

Alexander Hamilton is one of the most important, most misunderstood and most under studied Americans ever. He is the central figure in establishing the Federal Bank, as different as it is today from what it was then. He is responsible for the majority of the Federalist Papers, the most important documents produced in support of the Federal Constitutuon and the heated debates it entailed. But another thing most people don't know is that he is an American Revolution hero, serving, with distinction under Geroge Washington, receiving his highest praise and becoming his right hand man. He is the most elegant and gifted of writers. To understand his beginnings, read Alexander Hamilton: American by Richard Brookheiser, and understand the humble beginnings he was born into, working as a store clerk in the West Indies, educating himself in America and turning himself into one of the Americans who has a true grasp on the English language. His politics aside, he was a brilliant man. He was a gentleman and he was honest. He was a mna full of pride and great courage. He refused to let himself be bad mouthed, accepting Aronn Burr's duel, but he refused to fire at his opponent, instead firing into the air. A very honourable end to a great American. His writing are essntial to understand his life and his mind, his political orientation and lifelong goals. Not only that, but this is great literature. This receives my highest recommendation.

A comprehensive, chronological collection of the writings of one of, if not the most, brilliant Founding Fathers, this collection gives you Alexander Hamilton in all of his facets with zero editorial interpretation. And that is one of the things that make this book so great. If you have already read a biography of Alexander Hamilton (Ron Chernow's is a great, comprehensive one to start with), this book will give the reader a closer, "over-the-shoulder" look at him that is incredibly enlightening. Not only will one appreciate Hamilton's mind and dedication, but also the passions of the Early Republic era (c. 1789-1804) that threatened to destroy the country before it could even take off. However, the reason I give this four stars instead of five is because the most important works of his (his contributions to the Federalist Papers, his reports on national finance and manufactures, etc.) are very long and difficult to get through. It is not that they are bad, quite the opposite in fact. The problem is that the length of many of these works are daunting and the nearly archaic language of the late 18th century is a chore to unpack. This is definitely not a work for casual readers. But, for those who love U.S. history and want to learn about this enigmatic Founding Father in his own words, there is no better one-volume collection than this edition presented by the Library of America.

An essential addition to any history, finance, or political collection. A collection of the major contributions from hands down one of the greatest political writers in American history. Hamilton isn't lauded as a major philosopher, and yet his ideas were arguably far more valuable than those who are. This is because he didn't leave it to other people to make his visions reality. His ideas and writings left a far deeper impact on the history of the United States than many realize, not just in finances but in political and governmental practice. Through his words, we are given a glimpse into the mind of the brilliant man whose visions from 200 years ago have helped shape the country we live in today.

I do not think Library of the America has even put out a bad bood and this is no exception. The contents are of great use to anyone interested in our government. The index in the back is exhaustive and helps greatly. Buy this book.

Excellent price compared to Amazon's list price. Thank you Amazon for providing this internal competition!

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