My Dear Hamilton audiobook

You can read this and all of my reviews at Lit·Wit·Wine·Dine.Prior to reading this book, I was not wrapped up in all of the Hamiltonmania. I have not seen Hamilton on Broadway. I have not listened to a single song on the soundtrack. That has all changed, my friends. I am a believer and it’s all because of this book! I’m stalking Stub Hub and entering the Hamilton lottery on a daily basis. I’m on the verge of spending a ridiculous amount of money on tickets. If the play is as good as this book, it’ll be money well spent. I realize they may be very different stories but My Dear Hamilton has truly kindled in me a desire to learn more about this part of American history. (Or relearn since I’m sure the good people who issued my H.S. diploma did touch upon this period back in the day.)Before I go on to list everything I loved about this book, I’m just going to put this out there: There was not a single thing I had an issue with. Nothing I can criticize in 637 pages.This is the third book I’ve read recently that is co-authored. (Is this a new trend or is it a coincidence?) The writing is so beautiful and seamless it’s unbelievable. The authors obviously did a tremendous amount of research in terms of the historical content. But seriously, I was blown away by the gorgeous prose. The voice they gave to Eliza Huntington was one any woman would be proud to have. Like many of the most loved and respected women in history, Eliza was a force. She was intelligent – both emotionally and intellectually. She knew how to finesse situations private and political to further the agenda of the side she felt was in the right. She maintained public composure while under unimaginable duress. She loved her family with a loyalty and ferocity that made her a formidable opponent when threatened or challenged. In short, I loved her.Sadly, hers was not an easy life in any sense. Women, it seems, were not meant to have lives of their own in the late 1700s and early 1800s. Despite the fact that she influenced the man who influenced so much of Americas past and present, Eliza was, on a day-to-day basis, expected to be the quiet and supportive wife. Though she was proud of her husband’s career and accomplishments, this understandably frustrated her.Eliza’s relationship with Hamilton was as complicated as Hamilton himself. Though this is Eliza’s story, I really enjoyed getting to know Hamilton through the eyes of the authors.If you love historical fiction and books with strong female characters, My Dear Hamilton is a must read!

She was the wife of Alexander Hamilton longer than she was Elizabeth Schuyler, daughter of a general, and she was a widow much longer than she was a wife. Eliza Hamilton’s story is dramatized, conflated, compressed and contains well-researched conjecture as little primary source material about her remains. However, Mrs. General Hamilton’s story is peopled with the flawed historic men and women who fought and struggled to create a nation. Prepare yourself for a rollicking read about battles, balls and betrayal; the first sex scandal, duels, political intrigue and the examination of a complicated union between complicated people. Once again, my lack of knowledge is underscored by a work of fiction. I believe, in the not too distant future, I will read Ron Chernow’s much lauded biography, Hamilton.

First I want to say that this is a book that I was really thrilled to get the chance to read. I fell in love with the cover the first time I saw it and I was intrigued by the blurb. And, I'm glad to say that the book was just as good as I had hoped it to be. My Deat Hamilton is a massive novel, almost 700 pages and it took me around 2,5 days to read it. I was lucky enough to have a weekend off and let me tell you that it's the kind of book that that, despite the size of it, never get boring although I have to admit it the political side of the story was not my favorite part to read about, still I found it interesting to learn more about this period of time. My knowledge of Alexander Hamilton and his wife Eliza Schuyler Hamilton was not great before I started to read this book, which for me was a plus. I love not knowing too much sometimes when I read a historical fiction. Also, this book may have been about Alexander and Eliza, but I simply came to adore Gilbert du Motier, Marquis de Lafayette from the very first time he appeared in the story. He's such a charismatic person that it felt like everyone around him faded a bit when he appeared. I might have a bit of a crush on him, to be honest.As for the story, one can really feel that Stephanie Dray and Laura Kamoie have done their research and also managed to write a story that doesn't feel too long, which is a great thing because writing a book with almost 700 pages and managed to keep the readers attention all the way through is a great achievement. I will end this review by saying that My Dear Hamilton is a fabulous novel which gives an insight into the marriage between Alexander and Eliza but also shows the foundation of the United States that we know today. And, the book also shows how good friends fell out and turned on each other... I want to thank William Morrow for providing me with a free copy through Edelweiss for an honest review!

A collaboration of two very talented writers brings an insightful image of a remarkable woman Elizabeth Schuyler Hamilton: “…the boyish sort of girl who preferred climbing trees and hiking through the woods, or the veritable spinster, more concerned with nursing sick soldiers than landing one for a husband.” But Alexander Hamilton’s love had changed everything. 1780 Morristown, New Jersey. On a cold winter day “and in the darkest hour of the war,” Eliza carries a letter from her father to General Washington at Ford Mansion. At the bustling headquarters, she meets a young aide-de-camp Alexander Hamilton.Their attraction is instant. He is torn, because of his background of illegitimacy, not matching her social status. But she accepts him. His manners, intelligence and ambition are what matters to her.As a wife, she learns how to manage temperamental outbursts of her husband. And she learns from an experienced wife, namely Mrs. Washington. “Sometimes we encourage, sometimes we challenge, and sometimes we manage…”1783 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Now, a congressman’s wife as Hamilton was “elected to serve as one of New York’s five delegates to the Congress of the Confederation.”The Treaty of Paris grants America her independence, forcing the British soldier to leave the newly forming lands. With that, the aftermath brings unstable currency, hostility, and the lawlessness. “No sooner had we driven the king from our shores than we seemed intent on proving that we were uncivilized people who couldn’t live without a monarch to keep us from behaving as beasts.” The confrontation continues with those for or against a strong central government.When George Washington becomes the first President, Alexander Hamilton becomes the first Secretary of the Treasury.As Hamilton’s career advances, his private life takes a different turn. He claims it was a set up involving a woman. And now he is blackmailed for adultery.He “embroiled himself in two affairs of honor in the space of an hour.”Years later, another duel doesn’t go well for Hamilton.Told with impeccable prose and smooth dialogue, progressing easily and naturally. The etiquette of ballrooms, rivalry of soldiers, courtly manners and intelligence come alive in this complex story.Set against the wars for independence and conspiring time to build a new country free of king, with its new laws. It brings a very insightful history lesson, full of ambition, rivalry and love. A very passionate love for creating a new nation.Above all, this is a story of Elizabeth Schuyler Hamilton. A woman who went through marriage and motherhood, who experienced losing a husband, child and a sister who was also a very close friend and confidante. Her feelings and emotions through all this are movingly depicted.

".... there is not a breath in any American's life that is not shaped in some way by Alexander Hamilton.My husband. My hero. My betrayer."Five stars for a formidable woman!Elizabeth Schuyler knows how to handle herself around statesmen and dignitaries. Her father, General Philip Schuyler, is often in the company of them so its quite a surprise when she becomes smitten by Alexander Hamilton. George Washington's personal aide de camp, Alexander charms Eliza amd the two embark on a legendary love story. They marry, and have children together. Eliza is there for Alexander's successes as well as faillures, she lives the glory as well as the scandals. Through it all Eliza is present, a veritable lioness to a man that helped shape America. This book is absolutely fantastic! Hands down, this is the best historical fiction book of the year (for me at least, how is it possible that its not even in the running for best HF book anymore I do not understand). Having read 'America's First Daughter' I simply could not wait to read this book. The prose is executed with finesse. The characterization is just magnificent. The historical background so seamlessly integrated with the narrative that its difficult to tell fact from fiction. The pace absolutely on point. If you think history is boring, you need to read this book. We know who Alexander Hamilton is, an iconic American figure that helped shaped the United States. It is way over due that we also know who Elizabeth Schuyler is as well. This woman braved the same storms, lost the same battles, faced the same tragedies and enjoyed the same glories as Alexander but (until now) was just the wife. I loved to learn that Eliza had a great influence over Alexander and more than matched his zeal and passion for the new country. She is a formidable, revolutionary and exemplary woman. She had to sacrifice too and made contributions to the founding of the union as well. Their relationship was complicated. Alexander was smart, driven and eloquent but also brash, impulsive and unaware of how the consequences of his actions affected his family. This book deals with Alexander Hamilton but make no mistake, the protagonist is Eliza.From the first line to the last page, this book captivated me, entralled me completely. I did not want it to end. Its plain to see that Dray and Kamoie did their research in depth. Back in the day, I took AP US History, one of my more demanding classes. I recall Hamilton, Burr, Jefferson, Madison and Monroe but if Eliza was mentioned, it was in passing. I bring this up because I feel that part of history is simply overlooked. Eliza's contributions are not a mere thing to be glossed over. On a separate note, I want to say that the game of politics has not changed that dramatically since the 1800's. Allies and friends can become enemies in a heartbeat, money still corrupts and integrity is hard to find. Alexander Hamilton helped shape the country but also was part of the first political sex scandal. There is is not a single founding father without fault. Eliza was betrayed by Alexander but theirs is still a great relationship . She said it best "...the people we love are not entirely knowable. Even to themselves. But we still love them anyway." How I hope that Dray and Kamoie keep deligting us with these books. Please, let there be another one in the works. Bravo ladies!

Whoa whoa whoa. This book was amazing. Let me tell you. This book gave me so much to go on. I love the fact that the author gives us the facts and makes this book such an easy read. I love books about real people and real life. Let me tell you that this book has some tea also. If you want to know more about our founding fathers and Alexander Hamilton this book is it. I couldn't stop reading this book. Most history books are boring to me, but not this one. I give it 5 stars.

I've been bingeing on history lately. I enjoyed this historical novel focusing on Elizabeth Schuyler Hamilton.

A wonderful book that takes the reader on the journey of Alexander Hamilton's life.He seems very unlikely to get married, but once he met Eliza Schulyer he was smitten. She was always he most ardent encourager.After the dueling tragedy struck, Eliza fought to get control of all of Hamilton's papers. She had no idea of what she might find.After her sister Angelia died she also had letters and other things which Eliza was able to keep. Hamilton had not been the husband she adored. There was a dark side she could hardly fathom.After a time she come to a peaceful feeling, along with sons and daughter.No man is perfect.I won this Free book from Goodreads first reads.Thank you Goodreads.

An intriguing and richly told tale of a strong women with strong moral characterSUMMARYEliza Schuyler Hamilton was a general’s daughter who comes of age in the frontier of upstate New York during the American Revolution. When she meets Alexander Hamilton, Washington’s passionate aide-de-camp, she is captivated by his charisma and brilliance. She soon becomes his wife, but their union is far from perfect. When a duel ultimately destroys Eliza’s marriage, she fights her husband’s enemies to preserve Hamilton’s legacy. But long-buried secrets threatens everything Eliza believes about her marriage and her own legacy. But the measure of a man, of a life, of a union of man and wife or even country is not in the falling. It’s in the rising back up again to repair what’s broken, to put right what’s wrong. Your father and I did that. We always did that. He never stop trying until the day he died. And neither will l.REVIEWI was drawn like a moth to a flame by this intriguing and enlightening historical fiction book. Having read Hamilton’s biography by Ron Chernow and seen the Hamilton Broadway play, I looked forward to learning more about Eliza Hamilton and her contribution as one of the founding mothers of this nation. MY DEAR HAMILTON did not disappoint. It delivers a dramatic part-historical, part-fictional narrative of Eliza’s life during the years of 1775-1837. Since very little historical source material exists for Eliza, the authors had an uphill battle and had to extrapolate much of what they wrote. Authors Stephanie Dray and Laura Kamoie did a stellar job capturing the woman, her character, her contributions and her place in history. The writing was smart and highly entertaining. In reading historical fiction it is always important to understand the liberties taken in the book, the author’s note at the end of the book are a must-read. The story is a richly told tale of a strong woman with strong character, who led an interesting and challenging life. The book is long, at 652 pages. I listened to the audio book for over 23 hours. This book reminds me of one of my favorite historical fiction novels, America’s First Daughter, which was also written by Stephanie Dray and Laura Kamoie. Both books are delightful and bring strong and courageous women from America’s past to life. “What a high-minded thing revolution had seemed when it started; but now I wondered if, in trying to bring about liberty, we’d instead opened the gates of endless war, bloodshed, and immorality.”Publisher William Morrow Published April 3, 2018Review www.bluestockingreviews.com