#ron chernow
BOOK REVIEW: Alexander Hamilton (2004) by Ron Chernow
I will be the first to admit that my knowledge of American history is spotty at best – only the bare minimum is covered in Dutch schools – so if you had asked me one year ago who Alexander Hamilton was, I probably would have said something along the lines of: “That name does ring a bell… One of the founding fathers, I think? Maybe. I don’t know.” One little Broadway cast recording later, I found myself diving headfirst into Thomas Paine and picking up the 800-page biography that started it all. The combined popularity of Chernow’s book and the juggernaut of a musical it inspired has brought Alexander Hamilton right back into popular consciousness in a major way, and I have been watching this development with great interest. What happens when a controversial historical figure gets dusted off and put back into the general public’s spotlight two hundred years after his death?
Look around, look around at how lucky we are to be alive right now.
All right, that’s enough musical talk – back to the actual book.
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Who’s read this?? I have only begun this book and having finished chapter one, the genealogist in me is loving it! The historian in me loves it. And the reader in me loves it. So what’s my opinion so far..? Loving it!
I have to wait until October to see the show at the Pantages Theatre in Los Angeles, CA, but I’m there in the story now. And it’s just making me more excited to see the show.
So if you have some extra time, I’d suggest checking out this book from your local library or purchase from your local bookstore.
And a little Thank you to Ron Chernow for writing this book.
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If you weren’t able to be in the room where it happened, check out the conversation between our 2016 Records of Achievement honorees Ron Chernow, Thomas Kail, and Lin-Manuel Miranda, moderated by The New Yorker’s Rebecca Mead at our Gala last weekend!
During the program, the honorees discuss going through Hamilton archives, the process of translating the records into “Hamilton”, and the stories of Hamilton’s life that they wish they could have incorporated into the musical.
Learn more about the 2016 Records of Achievement Award and Gala: https://www.archivesfoundation.org/…/national-archives-fou…/
The 2016 Records of Achievement Award Ceremony and Gala is made possible in part by our Presenting Sponsors AT&T and David M. Rubenstein; as well as Governor Jim and Janet Blanchard, Edgeworth Economics, Steve and Laura Gates, Deborah and Michael Salzberg, and Marvin F. Weissberg.
On September 25, 2016, we raised a glass to Pulitzer Prize-winning historian Ron Chernow; Tony and Emmy Award-winning film and theater director Thomas Kail; and Tony and Pulitzer Prize-winning composer, lyricist, and performer Lin-Manuel Miranda at our 2016 Records of Achievement Award Ceremony and Gala! The award honors their collective work on the Tony, Grammy, and Pulitzer Prize Award-winning Hamilton inspired by the 2004 biography of Alexander Hamilton by Mr. Chernow. The Broadway musical was directed by Mr. Kail, and was written by and stars Mr. Miranda.
Learn more about the 2016 Records of Achievement Award Ceremony and Gala.
The 2016 Records of Achievement Award Ceremony and Gala is made possible in part by our Presenting Sponsors AT&T and David M. Rubenstein; as well as Governor Jim and Janet Blanchard, Edgeworth Economics, Steve and Laura Gates, Deborah and Michael Salzberg, and Marvin F. Weissberg.
TheRecords of Achievement Award is an annual tribute given by the @archivesfoundation to individuals whose work has cultivated a broader national awareness of the history and identity of the United States through the use of original records. Through their work, recipients educate, enrich, and inspire a deeper appreciation of our country, its ideals and its aspirations. Previous recipients of the Foundation’s awards include: Taylor Branch, Tom Brokaw, Ken Burns, the late John Hope Franklin, Robert Edsel, Annette Gordon-Reed, Brian Lamb and C-SPAN, Jacqueline Badger Mars, David McCullough, James McPherson, David M. Rubenstein, and Steven Spielberg.
One of the most talked about plays in American theater today, “Hamilton” has garnered tremendous commercial success, as well as significant critical acclaim for its historic content. Through the compelling story of Alexander Hamilton’s life and death, the musical combines Mr. Chernow’s biographical content with hip-hop lyrics and staging by Mr. Miranda and Mr. Kail, bringing the past to life in an accessible and immersive experience for audiences.
We were thrilled to honor Ron Chernow, Tommy Kail, and Lin-Manuel Miranda with our Records of Achievement Award last night!
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Tonight we presented Ron Chernow, Thomas Kail, and Lin-Manuel Miranda with our Records of Achievement Award for their collective work on the Tony, Grammy, and Pulitzer Prize Award-winning Broadway musical “Hamilton.”
We were delighted to be joined by Rebecca Mead of The New Yorker during the award ceremony for a discussion with our honorees. We’ll be posting video later this week, so stay tuned!
Learn more at archivesfoundation.org/gala
The 2016 Records of Achievement Award Ceremony and Gala is made possible in part by our Presenting Sponsors AT&T and David M. Rubenstein; as well as Governor Jim and Janet Blanchard, Edgeworth Economics, Steve and Laura Gates, Deborah and Michael Salzberg, and Marvin F. Weissberg
The Foundation also wishes to thank our 2016 Gala Committee for their support: Governor Jim and Janet Blanchard, James W. Cicconi, Deborah Ratner Salzberg, Jennifer Warren, and Marvin F. Weissberg.
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We’re giving away two tickets to see the award-winning “Hamilton” live on Broadway! We’ll also throw in extra Hamilton swag from the National Archives Store, including a poster, a book, and a playbill, all signed by Pulitzer Prize-winning historian Ron Chernow, Tony Award-winning film and theater director Thomas Kail, and Tony and Pulitzer Prize-winning composer, lyricist, and performer Lin-Manuel Miranda!
Enter here: http://www.nationalarchivesstore.org/pages/see-hamilton
We are proud to be honoring Ron Chernow, Thomas Kail, and Lin-Manuel Miranda with our 2016 Records of Achievement Award at our annual Gala on September 25. The award honors their collective work on the Tony, Grammy, and Pulitzer Prize Award-winning Broadway musical “Hamilton,” inspired by the 2004 biography of Alexander Hamilton by Mr. Chernow. The Broadway musical was directed by Mr. Kail, and was written by and stars Mr. Miranda. At the Gala, Rebecca Mead of The New Yorker will join Chernow, Kail, and Miranda for a conversation. Learn more at archivesfoundation.org/gala
Don’t throw away your shot! Our giveaway ends at 11:59pm ET September 24 - and on September 25, Lin-Manuel Miranda will be randomly picking the winner while he’s at the National Archives!
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I’m on a mission to read a biography of every American president in order of presidential service. Four biographies a year. GRANT was fantastic. I learned so much. A great man.
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“Because Washington was childless and drew close to several aides, many biographers have been tempted to turn them into surrogate sons, but the only one who closely matched this description was the Marquis de Lafayette, who eagerly embraced the role. The young French nobleman was tall and slim, with a pale, oval face and thin, reddish-brown hair that receded sharply at the temples. His nose was long and slightly upturned, his mouth short but full-lipped. Like the young Washington, Lafayette had an extraordinary knack for endearing himself to older men, and he looked up to them admiringly. Washington’s fondness for Lafayette’s boyish zest probably expressed some suppressed craving for paternal intimacy. So many things about the younger man—his florid language, his poetic effusions, his transparent ambitions, his well-meaning if clumsy manner—seemed the antithesis of himself. Lafayette was pure-hearted and high-spirited, with an impetuous streak of grandiosity. Where Washington was guarded about his pursuit of fame, Lafayette, Jefferson saw, was always “panting for glory” with an almost “canine appetite for popularity and fame.” Abigail Adams found him too assertive: “He is dangerously amiable, polite, affable, insinuating, pleasing, hospitable, indefatigable, and ambitious.” Indeed, despite a certain shyness, Lafayette showed a courtier’s love of compliments, was a master of flattery, and liked to hug people in the French manner. Perhaps Washington doted on the young man because he dared to express emotions that he himself stifled, thawing his frosty reserve and opening an outlet for his suppressed emotions. Lafayette seemed to transport Washington back to his own youth, before he was stooped under the weight of responsibility, reminding him of love, passion, and chivalry.”— Washington: A Life by Ron Chernow (via brimmely)
