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Couldn't put it down If I were to engage in hyperbole, I could certainly state that this is the best biography I have ever read. I will steer clear of such flourishes, however, and merely state that Chernow's fine effort had me turning the pages as if I were reading an enthralling novel. Hamilton was born and raised in the Carribean, the illigitimate child of a father who may have borne my surname (it is unclear who his father was but given the name of one possibility, could Hamilton be a distant relative of mine???). Hamilton came to New York to study at Columbia University and he stayed in New York, not returning to his West Indies roots. He had a remarkable career as a journalist, financial wizard, military officer and founding father of this country. In support of the newly proposed Constitution, he and James Madison wrote a series of articles that are know as the Federalist Papers (John Jay also wrote a few of them). Although both Madison and Hamilton were supporters of the new, stronger government that the Constitution would have created, Madison and Hamilton soon parted ways as Hamilton became a Federalist whereas Madison became associated with the Jeffersonian Democratic Republican party. Even among Federalists, Hamilton developed enemies. As president, the Federalist, John Adams, successfully sought to avoid war with France following the "XYZ Affair." Hamilton, on the other hand was a hard liner who had ambitions of being a general in any war which might have ensued. He certainly had military experience as an aide de camp to George Washington during the Revolution, and he held military commissions. This rift with the more moderate Federalists of Adams' ilk led to political intrigue as he sought to influence the presidentail election. Adams felt undercut by Hamiton and so did Democratic Republican Aaron Burr. Ultimately, the relationship between Burr and Hamilton dissolved to the point in which the famous duel was fought. With the strong passions that Hamilton inspired, in 21st century political parlance, he woould be know as a "polarizing figure." It is hard to know whether Hamiton would have been a Democrat or Republican in our day. He was for a strong central government and, at the constitutional convention, he supported a proposal that the President serve for life. As Secratary of the Treasury, he consolidated the fledgling nation's finances and supported a national bank. On the one hand, it could be said that he would have been attracted to the modern Republican Party as a pro business party. On the other hand, it could be argued that he would have been attracted to the Democratic party as the party of centralized governmental institutions which might have strongly regulated big business. Of course, those were different times thus musing as to what parties figures such as Jefferson, on the one hand, and Hamilton, on the other would be members of today is really idle speculation. Chernow examines Hamilton's personal life and his sexuality. Centuries ago, language was often more florid and letters to close male friends often contained intimate, affectionate language. Such letters by Hamilton, therefore, leads to speculation that he had homosexual leanings. A recent book engages in precisely that sort of speculation about Abraham Lincoln. Hamilton also had a very loving marriage but that did not prevent him from having a very passionate affair. His affair was exposed and Hamilton ultimately cut his political losses by admitting to it and being forthcoming enough to end the speculation which would have kept the issue alive. Another interesting aspect of Hamilton's personality was his pride and stubborness. Duels were generally fought when the challenger sought to redeem his honor. Often, an apology and retraction of a perceived insult resolved the matter by restoring the challenger's honor. Such an apology would have saved Hamilton's life. This biography is fascinating and I highly recommend it. Educated Americans would do well to know about the life and accomplishments of this pivotal historical figure.