While relationships were important to Eliza’s life, so were many hot issues from her youth to her late adulthood. I think that for as long as the book was, more time could have been spent on relevant issues than on the ins and outs of Eliza’s social relationships. I also enjoyed the fact that the biography spends so much time on Eliza’s childhood, personal relationships, flaws, and the tremendous work she did in her later life and the respect she earned in her time. The author of the biography stated that pro-Hamilton historians generally believe Hamilton’s version of events, as no evidence exists to the contrary, but that as a pro-Eliza biographer that becomes harder to support. There are those that believe Hamilton’s story–that any evidence of improper speculation was actually tied to his affair with Maria Reynolds–and then those that believe Hamilton invented this cover story. As the author explains in an afterword, the Reynolds Affair has been debated by historians and by contemporaries of Hamilton. In fact, that respect goes so far as to have the author counter the popular view of Alexander Hamilton at the moment. The Goodįirst things first, it’s clear that the biographer has a degree of respect and appreciation for Eliza that’s important when writing about her life. It elaborates on the sources of Eliza’s life and attempts to piece together what’s missing–the parts of her life that she deliberately erased. Though written in a more narrative, and entertaining way, this book is definitely a biography. This book is, as the author states, one of the first if not the first comprehensive looks at Eliza’s life beyond the scope of her marriage, and it presents some interesting historiography as a result. The Extraordinary Life and Times of the Wife of Alexander Hamilton kind of summarizes it up, huh? This is a biography of Eliza Hamilton, from her childhood to her marriage to the fifty years she lives after Hamilton and Burr’s fateful duel. Featuring Mazzeo’s “impeccable research and crafting” ( Library Journal), and perfect for fans of the richly detailed historical books by Ron Chernow and Erik Larson, Eliza Hamilton is the captivating account of the woman behind the famous man. A strong pioneer woman, a loving sister, a caring mother, and in her later years, a generous philanthropist, Eliza had many sides-and this fascinating biography brings her multi-faceted personality to vivid life.Įliza Hamilton: The Extraordinary Life and Times of The Wife of Alexander Hamilton follows Eliza through her early years in New York, into the ups and downs of her married life with Alexander, beyond the aftermath of his tragic murder, and finally to her involvement in many projects that cemented her legacy as one of the unsung heroes of our nation’s early days. Fans fell in love with Eliza Hamilton-Alexander Hamilton’s devoted wife-in Lin-Manuel Miranda’s phenomenal musical Hamilton.
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