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A thorough and well-timed biography It was just two hundred years ago that Alexander Hamilton was killed by Aaron Burr in the most famous duel in history. Thanks to Ron Chernow's excellent biography we have a fuller account of the man who was at the center of the founding of America and probably one of the least understood. Hamilton's life began on the Caribbean island of Nevis and had it not been for this inauspicious start in life Hamilton might have turned out more like the other founding fathers. Indeed, his accusers and enemies made great light of the fact that he was foreign-born. (and probably out of wedlock, as well) Yet Hamilton's incredible story has much to do with his early life in the islands and his sudden rise and short "tenure" as a founding father is one of the most remarkable things about him. Chernow captures this all in a style which allows the reader to see how Hamilton maneuvered his way up the chain. As an aide to George Washington at a very tender age, Hamilton became a privileged and trusted confidant of the general and it put him in a position of enormous influence and ultimately, power. Although the author trumpets Alexander Hamilton's assets....his gift for writing, clear argument and long-range vision, he adds that Hamilton could also be vain, verbose and not always politic in his decisions. Some of the best chapters of the book revolve around Hamilton's continuing battles with his enemies.....mostly John Adams and Thomas Jefferson. This, however, is also where the book falters. In promoting Hamilton he demotes his adversaries to a degree that makes them look unimportant. They become almost comic in their hatred of Hamilton and we know while there were times of heated debate and almost maniacal despisement between Hamilton and his contemporaries, the other founding fathers had many more attributes than Chernow seems to allow. That said, the author's writing is often mesmerizing. His use of quotations is an excellent device to show us the tenor and temperature of the day and his attention to detail is superb. The description of the duel is so good that I read it twice. Alexander Hamilton's legacy is as broad as it is unique. Ron Chenow has presented a work of thoroughness and enlightenment and I highly recommend it to other readers.