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Absolutely awesome Chernow's ALEXANDER HAMILTON was the best thing I read last year. Hamilton has always been something of a mysterious figure, pigeonholed as a meddler and a manipulator, and famed more for his duel with Aaron Burr than his accomplishments as a statesman. Chernow gets behind all that and brings the real Hamilton to life. It's no understatement to say that Hamilton was the founding father who most impacted the political and economic life of the U.S. It's amazing how completely right Hamilton was on so many issues. Chernow can be criticized for idolizing his subject and casting Hamilton's failings in a rosy light. And, yes, Chernow is no fan of Jefferson and Madison. But then, it seems that a lot of historians are critical of Jefferson these days (and maybe Madison, too), so perhaps the panning is deserved. Overall, though, this biography is very well researched and very well written. It's not often that I can say that I was completely fascinated by a political biography, but I was riveted by this book. Kudos to Mr. Chernow for tackling this subject and producing such a winning biography.