I was recently asked what is the longest book that I’d ever listened to and this is it… Alexander Hamilton by Ron Chernow: 35 hours, 58 minutes! Like everyone else, I was crazy to see the musical so when my husband bought me tickets in NYC for my birthday I knew I didn’t want to miss a minute, so I prepared by reading Chernow’s book and by listening to the sound track over and over.
The story of a brilliant orphan coming to America (sponsored by strangers who recognize his genius) to get an education and make something of himself is the rags to riches, equal opportunity story on which this country is built.
We follow Hamilton from his harrowing childhood through his arrival in America, his education, his romances, his political aspirations, successes and failures, his marriage and children, his friendship with George Washington, his extra marital affair, his downfall and his death by duel (cue Vice President Aaron Burr). It is all in there and, it is all fascinating.
More than a biography, Alexander Hamilton is the story of the birth of our great nation through one of our most important historical figures. Hamilton’s passion for the success of this fledgling nation and his determination to see it succeed has become is a very real part of our history.
Chernow's captivating writing makes the reader feel that she is right there. For those of you that are breaking out in hives just considering the size of this book, know that there is an abridged version - only 11 hours and 51 minutes in length. (The hardcopy is 818 pages.)
For fans of Hamilton, the musical, I also recommend- Hamilton: The Revolution, authored by Lin-Manel Miranda. A fun, delicious look at how the revolutionary musical came to be.
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