Books
Books Out In 2017 For 'Hamilton' Super Fans
Okay, so Lin-Manuel Miranda is still not an EGOT. The disappointing I felt was three-fold. First, I would have witnessed history with Miranda becoming the youngest person in history to ever win an Emmy, Grammy, Oscar and Tony with his nomination for "How Far I'll Go" from Moana for Best Original Song (which ended up going to "City of Stars" from La La Land instead.) Second, I would have fallen (more) in love with Miranda's sweet, exuberant charm and nerdy excitement... who didn't want to watch him have the ultimate #bitofaday on the Oscars stage? Third, anything even tangentially related to my obsession with Hamilton is going to make some serious waves, because I think everyone in the cast should win all of the awards ever, obviously.
But it's okay. Miranda's got many more years of that song-writing to earn him that Oscar and in the meantime, I'll get through this by listening to the Moana soundtrack on repeat... and diving into some obsession worthy books about the revolutionary himself, A. Ham. Oh, you've already read Ron Chernow's Hamilton biography and the Hamiltome? No, worries, we've got you covered with a list full of new books inspired by Hamilton; the man, the myth and the Broadway show.
1'Alex and Eliza: A Love Story' by Melissa de la Cruz (April 11, 2017)
Melissa de la Cruz's upcoming YA novel tells the love story of young Alexander Hamilton and Elizabeth Schuyler. We all know the gist: they meet at a ball one fateful night at the start of the Revolution. And though Eliza would rather be aiding the colonists than dressing up for a silly ball, she can't contain her excitement over the mysterious, rakish young colonel and General George Washington’s right-hand man. Though Alex has arrived as the bearer of bad news for the Schuylers, he can’t believe his luck—as an orphan, and a bastard one at that—to be in such esteemed company. So begins an epic love story that would forever change the course of American history.
2'I, Eliza Hamilton' by Susan Holloway Scott (September 26, 2017)
This is another book that focuses on the love story between Alexander and Eliza, but in this adult historical fiction we get to read Eliza's internal thoughts, her reactions to falling in love and being betrayed by her larger-than-life husband, how she felt about motherhood, sisterhood, the war and the forming of a new country. It's an exciting prospect for any Hamilton fan, especially any obsessed with the Alexander and Eliza ship. While we got to see A. Ham on stage getting frisky with Maria Reynolds and building up some serious heat with Angelica Schuyler, we don't really get to revel in Eliza and Alexander's love life. But, Holloway Scott has published over 50 historical novels and historical romances...so you know this one's going to be good.
3'Alexander Hamilton, Revolutionary' by Martha Brockenbrough (September 5, 2017)
This nonfiction book takes things away from the romance and back to politics, examining the role this hot-tempered but tender-hearted founding father had in shaping the government and finances of the infant United States. If you ever wanted to learn more about just how non-stop Hamilton was in his political pursuits, this is the book for you.
4'Alexander Hamilton: The Making of America' by Teri Kanefield (March 7, 2017)
The America that Alexander Hamilton knew was largely agricultural and built on slave labor. He envisioned something else: a multi-racial, urbanized, capitalistic America with a strong central government. He believed that such an America would be a land of opportunity for the poor and the newcomers. But Hamilton’s vision put him at odds with his archrivals who envisioned a pastoral America of small towns, where governments were local, states would control their own destiny, and the federal government would remain small and weak. The disputes that arose during America’s first decades continued through American history to our present day. This book tells the story that epitomizes the American dream—a poor immigrant who made good in America. Because in the end, Hamilton rose from poverty through his intelligence and ability, and did more to shape our country than many of his contemporaries.
5'Alexander Hamilton: The Graphic History Of An American Founding Father' by Jonathan Hennessey and Justin Greenwood (August 8, 2017)
This complete graphic novel-style biography presents the life and legacy of one Hamilton through the Revolutionary War, the development of the Constitution, and the establishment of the Treasury and banking as we have come to know them today. Author Jonathan Hennessey and comic book illustrator Justin Greenwood team to bring the world of Alexander Hamilton to life in this fully-illustrated biography that captures the period, people, and places of the birth of the United States. Along the way, they help readers contextualize Hamilton, showcasing his impact on history beyond his life, including his policies' shaping of the Civil War and how his ideas on the economy led to America's rise as a superpower.
6'The Hamilton Affair' by Elizabeth Cobbs
The first in a wave of Hamilton love stories, this one again puts more focus on Eliza Hamilton, the well-to-do daughter of one of New York’s most exalted families—feisty, adventurous, and loyal to a fault. When she met Alexander, she fell head over heels. She pursued him despite his illegitimacy, and loved him despite his infidelity. The book also goes in to Eliza's shaming Congress in 1816 into supporting his seven orphaned children, and starting New York’s first orphanage. The only “founding mother” to truly embrace public service, she raised 160 children in addition to her own. This is the sweeping, tumultuous, true love story of Alexander Hamilton and Elizabeth Schuyler, from tremulous beginning to bittersweet ending.
7'499 Facts about Hip-Hop Hamilton and the Rest of America's Founding Fathers' by Stephen Spignesi
A fresh collection of facts and forgotten trivia surrounding the American Revolution and our forefathers – from those you’d expect (George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Ben Franklin, and Hamilton, of course) to those you may never have heard of, but you probably should have (who the heck was Rufus King?) Readers will be left with a greater appreciation and deeper respect for these human beings who were just trying to accomplish the incredible: create the greatest nation in history.
8'Alexander Hamilton's Guide to Life' by Jeff Wilser
Two centuries after his death, Alexander Hamilton is shining once more under the world's spotlight and we need him now more than ever. Hamilton was a self-starter. Scrappy. Orphaned as a child, he came to America with nothing but a code of honor and a hunger to work. He then went on to help win the Revolutionary War and ratify the Constitution, create the country's financial system, charm New York's most eligible ladies, and land his face on our $10 bill. The ultimate underdog, he combined a fearless, independent spirit with a much-needed dose of American optimism. Hamilton died before he could teach us the lessons he learned, but Alexander Hamilton's Guide to Life unlocks his core principles intended for anyone interested in success, romance, money, or dueling. Some serious hilarity obviously included.
9'Alexander Hamilton: The Illustrated Biography' by Richard Sylla
For anyone who was intimidated by the sheer size of Ron Chernow's Hamilton biography, this illustrated edition is the perfect substitute. 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. 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.
