Everand Logo

Welcome to Everand!

  • Discover millions of ebooks, audiobooks, and so much more with a free trial

    Only $11.99/month after trial. Cancel anytime.

    Unavailable
    My Dear Hamilton: A Novel of Eliza Schuyler Hamilton
    Unavailable
    My Dear Hamilton: A Novel of Eliza Schuyler Hamilton
    Unavailable
    My Dear Hamilton: A Novel of Eliza Schuyler Hamilton
    Ebook829 pages16 hours

    My Dear Hamilton: A Novel of Eliza Schuyler Hamilton

    By Stephanie Dray and Laura Kamoie

    4.5/5

    ()

    Currently unavailable

    Currently unavailable

    Listen to the audiobook instead

    About this ebook

    USA Today Bestseller

    "An edge-of my sear immersion into historical events...No study of Alexander Hamilton would be complete without reading this book." —Karen White, New York Times bestselling author

    "The best book of the year!" —Kate Quinn, New York Times bestselling author of The Alice Network

    Wife, Widow, and Warrior in Alexander Hamilton’s quest for a more perfect union

    From the New York Times bestselling authors of America’s First Daughter comes the epic story of Eliza Schuyler Hamilton—a revolutionary woman who, like her new nation, struggled to define herself in the wake of war, betrayal, and tragedy. Perfect for fans of Ron Chernow's biography Alexander Hamilton and fans of Lin-Manuel Miranda's Hamilton: the Musical.

    In this haunting, moving, and beautifully written novel, Dray and Kamoie used thousands of letters and original sources to tell Eliza’s story as it’s never been told before—not just as the wronged wife at the center of a political sex scandal—but also as a founding mother who shaped an American legacy in her own right.

    A general’s daughter…

    Coming of age on the perilous frontier of revolutionary New York, Elizabeth Schuyler champions the fight for independence. And when she meets Alexander Hamilton, Washington’s penniless but passionate aide-de-camp, she’s captivated by the young officer’s charisma and brilliance. They fall in love, despite Hamilton’s bastard birth and the uncertainties of war.

    A founding father’s wife...

    But the union they create—in their marriage and the new nation—is far from perfect. From glittering inaugural balls to bloody street riots, the Hamiltons are at the center of it all—including the political treachery of America’s first sex scandal, which forces Eliza to struggle through heartbreak and betrayal to find forgiveness.

    The last surviving light of the Revolution…

    When a duel destroys Eliza’s hard-won peace, the grieving widow fights her husband’s enemies to preserve Alexander’s legacy. But long-buried secrets threaten everything Eliza believes about her marriage and her own legacy. Questioning her tireless devotion to the man and country that have broken her heart, she’s left with one last battle—to understand the flawed man she married and imperfect union he could never have created without her…

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherHarperCollins
    Release dateApr 3, 2018
    ISBN9780062466174
    Author

    Stephanie Dray

    Stephanie Dray is a New York Times, Wall Street Journal & USA Today bestselling author of historical women’s fiction. Her award-winning work has been translated into eight languages and tops lists for the most anticipated reads of the year. Before she became a novelist, she was a lawyer and a teacher. Now she lives near the nation’s capital with her husband, cats, and history books.

    Related to My Dear Hamilton

    Related ebooks

    Colonial America & Revolution Fiction For You

    View More
    View More

    Related podcast episodes

    Related articles

    • Article

      Book Club

      Jul 29, 2020

      Book Club
      1 min read

    • Article

      Memoirs Of A Fox

      Jan 1, 2019

      My year of graduate work in Cambridge, England was a somewhat bleak and desperate affair, coinciding with a bout of depression that could perhaps have been shortened or ameliorated if I had been assigned hard agricultural labor, a daily column of loc

      14 min read

    • Article

      Letter from Wartime

      Sep 24, 2020

      What I’m writing about is what it feels like to be living through the blood-red dusk of a nation. The post Letter from Wartime appeared first on The Millions.

      12 min read

    • Article

      Buzzing Bits of Memory: On Omar Robert Hamilton’s ‘The City Always Wins’

      Sep 12, 2017

      Hamilton has channeled the effusive energy of the revolution to create a narrative of stunning fragments. But the fragments hardly coalesce to constitute a novel. The post Buzzing Bits of Memory: On Omar Robert Hamilton’s ‘The City Always Wins

      4 min read

    • Article

      A Year in Reading: Garth Risk Hallberg

      Dec 3, 2017

      One thing you could always say for me: I was a finisher. I may not have been a great reader, but by God I was dogged, and if I made it through the opening 10th of a book, then I was going all the way to the end. Though this started as merely an incli

      7 min read

    • Article

      Fair To Middling

      Oct 29, 2020

      AMONG THE PIECES occasioned by Harold Evans’s death was a fond and generous memoir by Donald Trelford, his rival Sunday newspaper editor: “We found we had much in common — both of us short men with northern working-class backgrounds (his family in th

      4 min read

    • Article

      Georges Clemenceau

      Aug 2, 2023

      Georges Clemenceau
      7 min read

    • Article

      The Sellout

      Jan 5, 2021

      The Sellout
      3 min read

    • Article

      A Woman Scorned?

      Feb 8, 2024

      A Woman Scorned?
      8 min read

    • Article

      A Year in Reading: Bill Morris

      Dec 20, 2020

      This was the year I finally, belatedly, decided to figure out why people make such a fuss about Joy Williams. The post A Year in Reading: Bill Morris appeared first on The Millions.

      6 min read

    • Article

      Happy 200th birthday, Flashy!

      Sep 21, 2022

      The 200th anniversary of the birth of Sir Harry Flashman VC has been greeted with an outpouring of affection and admiration. You can imagine the old rogue laughing off the adulation, while inwardly relishing it all. And yes, I know, unlike those alle

      3 min read

    • Article

      Summer Book Reviews

      Dec 1, 2023

      by David Grann Published by Simon & Schuster ISBN 9781398513341 $24.99 That unholiest of trinities – oil, money and murder – are reprised in this painstakingly investigated and riveting account by an award-winning journalist and author, recently rele

      4 min read

    Related categories

    Reviews for My Dear Hamilton

    4.5/5

    242 ratings26 reviews

    What did you think?

    Tap to rate

    Review must be at least 10 words

    • 5/5
      I felt dropped right down into that time and place. Such vivid portrayals and sense of place. In the author's notes, mention is made of where any liberties were taken (mostly timing), and the correspondence from whence came much of the dialog. I won this book via Early Reviewers, but never received it, so finally listened to it on audio. I loved this book! But really wish I had the paper copy to reread the author's notes again. Highly recommended!
    • 3/5
      Richly satisfying fictional biography of Betsy Schuyler, wife of Alexander Hamilton, from her girlhood to wifehood in which she is his helpmeet, to her widowhood in which she comes to terms with certain personal events that have touched them both.
    • 4/5
      I've noticed a number of novels about Alexander Hamilton's wife Eliza recently - a side effect of the Broadway show perhaps? I've now read a few of them and I think this one is the best so far. The authors dig into Eliza's life and make a point to include Eliza's life before she met Hamilton and after his early death. This makes for a very long book, but also provides a good sense of Eliza as a person and how her marriage to a Founding Father impacted the course of her life. A good overall read and certainly something that would interest Hamilton fans.
    • 4/5
      Thank you so much for making me smile while reading your book. such a compelling story. If you have some great stories like this one, you can publish it on Novel Star, just submit your story to hardy@novelstar.top or joye@novelstar.top
    • 3/5
      A little long for the plot. Found myself jumping chapters
    • 4/5
      Having read First Daughter last year this book felt almost like a continuation, Eliza at times sounded like Patsy. It took a bit to get the tie between the two out of my head. Yes they're very different but the voice sounded too similar I thought. I found out how little I really knew about Alexander Hamilton. Also interesting the differences in politics between Jefferson and Hamilton. Also how fragile the country was then. Today history made me feel like the US won the revolutionary war and then was a united country, but this book helped me see it was nothing of the sort. It was a tremendous struggle and at so many points it was nearly lost. Then there is the story of Betsy/Eliza and all the tragedies she endured due to men with ideals they were willing to die for, from her father (General Schuyler) to her son and husband.
    • 4/5
      I was really anticipating this book. I had enjoyed America’s First Daughter, the book these same authors wrote about Patsy Jefferson (who makes an appearance in this novel.) It is certainly delightful learning about the country’s Founding Fathers through the eyes of the women closest to them. This book tells Alexander Hamilton’s story but it is very much Eliza’s book.It is delightfully hefty book that allows the reader to sit down and truly get immersed in the subjects of the tale. The problem faced by the authors as they explained in the note at the end is that there was very little left in the historical record specifically about Eliza. It’s as if the men in her life sucked up all that would be remembered and left only crumbs for her. Given the times in which she came of age and the company she kept I suppose it could be understood. When your father is fighting to found your country and your husband is molding it – what is left for you? It also wasn’t exactly a time that revered the efforts of women was it? The authors had to rely upon those crumbs and then do what fiction writers do – imagine.Imagine they did using their extensive research and knowledge of the era. But while this is Eliza’s story, Hamilton does overwhelm her as soon as he appears in the pages. From the moment they are introduced it is all about him. I can’t say that I liked him. I also can’t say that I have much to compare this characterization t0 so I don’t know if it is accurate to his personality or not. He did suck the air out of any room he was in and even after he was dead it was Hamilton, Hamilton, Hamilton.Eliza was apparently a very devoted wife.It was a very good read, as annoyed as I got at Mr. Hamilton. I also wonder how this country survived it’s first few decades. I really need to do more reading of American history. The story of Eliza, so dedicated to her husband and to her country is a fascinating look at the woman behind the man who did so much for a country that did not always respect him or his ideas. It is very much worth reading.
    • 5/5
      This story about Eliza Schuyler Hamilton is quite the tale of historical fiction. It follows her life from the time she is a young single woman through her married life to her old age. The authors do an excellent job of describing society at that time, with details about social mores, fashions, and politics. The novel is extremely well researched. In a afterword, the authors explain a little about the material they used, and what they left out, and why. Where facts were unknown, fictionalized segments stitched the story together. The story is lengthy, but there is a lot to say about this remarkable woman and times in which she lived, and these authors do her justice. Often emotional, sometimes gripping, but always entertaining, every page of this story is worth reading. The audio version is very well performed by narrator Cassandra Campbell.
    • 5/5
      I loved seeing the Revolution through Eliza’s eyes. Great follow up the Hamilton the musical.
    • 5/5
      This book is a captivating account of the life, dreams and struggles of Eliza Schuyler Hamilton, the woman who with love and adoration, eagerly accepted Alexander Hamilton's proposal of marriage and stood by him throughout his difficult and often challenging short-lived life. The story begins in the throes of the American Revolution and proceeds through the establishment of the nation's infrastructure, near failure and tenuous foot hold within the world. It presents Eliza as a spirited yet respectful woman - one of great strength of character, fortitude and courage. She, as a young daughter of war General Philip Schuyler, occasionally accompanied him on formal visits with native tribal leaders and had been welcomed into the tribe. She was fearless and tremendously helpful in ministering to the wounded troops gathered near the General's home along the Hudson River.Succumbing to the attentions paid her by young Colonel Alexander Hamilton, aide to Commander in Chief George Washington, her life along the bucolic Hudson River suddenly picked up its pace and never slowed until her final days. She was Hamilton's committed partner, lover, bride and bearer of many children and always subject to public scrutiny, given the fame of her husband. She was the epitome of those words of 1 Coninthians 13:7, "Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things." Co-authors Stephanie Dray and Laura Kamoie within the book's accompanying notes clearly state that the historic record is a bit skimpy as to the details of Eliza's life. Through their extensive research by study of the rich historical records of other noteworthy individuals of the day and research visits to historical places, they have painted a vivid tableau of this strong female character of the American Revolution and the nation's formative days. The writing is rich, painterly and impeccably done. One is transported in place and time and dropped right into the thick of things. I eagerly look forward to reading more works by these two authors.I am grateful to publisher William Morrow and Goodreads First Reads for having provided a free advance reader's edition of this book. Their generosity, however, did not influence this review - the words of which are mine alone. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++Synopsis (from book's back cover):A general’s daughter…Coming of age on the perilous frontier of revolutionary New York, Elizabeth Schuyler champions the fight for independence. And when she meets Alexander Hamilton, Washington’s penniless but passionate aide-de-camp, she’s captivated by the young officer’s charisma and brilliance. They fall in love, despite Hamilton’s bastard birth and the uncertainties of war.A founding father’s wife...But the union they create—in their marriage and the new nation—is far from perfect. From glittering inaugural balls to bloody street riots, the Hamiltons are at the center of it all—including the political treachery of America’s first sex scandal, which forces Eliza to struggle through heartbreak and betrayal to find forgiveness.The last surviving light of the Revolution…When a duel destroys Eliza’s hard-won peace, the grieving widow fights her husband’s enemies to preserve Alexander’s legacy. But long-buried secrets threaten everything Eliza believes about her marriage and her own legacy. Questioning her tireless devotion to the man and country that have broken her heart, she’s left with one last battle—to understand the flawed man she married and the imperfect union he could never have created without her…

      1 person found this helpful

    • 5/5
      Whoa. I seldom think books 5 stars, holding that rank for those that go so far and above my expectations. THIS was far and above my expectations. Having so recently had the honour of seeing "Hamilton" on stage, I thought it perfect that this book come along and feed the curiosity that the musical sparked. Coming away (stunned and shell shocked) from the show, I was curious about Eliza's views and feelings. I identified with Eliza - as I imagine most women can/do. She haunted me and I wanted to know so much more about her. "My Dear Hamilton" pulled back that curtain and gave us all of Eliza. I was absolutely consumed. What in the beginning felt like a large book (appx 650 pages) read quicker than a short story. I have never had a lot of interest in historical fiction--but this was just simply incredible. I'm glad that the story of Eliza and her Hamilton has found its way out. I laughed, I teared up, and at times was stunned by some of the events - but enjoyed it all.

      2 people found this helpful

    • 5/5
      Eliza Schuyler Hamilton was the woman behind Alexander Hamilton, one of the founders of America. Always strong in her own right, Eliza grew up the daughter of a general and helping in the field hospitals. Eliza often accompanied her father while he met with the Haudenosaunee tribes and other influential leaders of the time such as Washington, Monroe, Madison, Burr, Lafayette, Arnold and of course, Hamilton. Eliza and Alexander quickly become captivated with one another. As Alexander's role within the newly formed government grows, Eliza learns just what it means to be the wife of a Congressman and a founding father. She also learns how to use her influence and skills to help Alexander and create the country he dreamt of.I dove into this story of Eliza Schuyler Hamilton with reckless abandon. At over 600 pages, I knew I would be lost in Eliza's story of scandal and triumph. From the prologue, when we meet Eliza as an older woman and a widow and she states "Silence is often the only weapon available to ladies. And I wield mine expertly," I knew that this was going to be a strong character that I could easily identify with. Eliza's story begins when she is a young adult, the daughter of a general on trial for treason. Right from here, I could see her determination shine through; she was on a mission to prove that a daughter or wife could make a difference. Through Eliza's eyes and experiences, I could see the Revolutionary War and America's early days in a new light. I had known of Hamilton's major accomplishments; however, with Eliza's view I now know just how much work he put into founding our country as well as Eliza's influence and guiding hands. Through Eliza's narrative, I learned of the roles of the Native American Tribes, the bravery and tenacity of the African-American troops and the overall devastation that the war caused for so many. With the excellent partnership of Stephanie Dray and Laura Kamoie's writing skills, Eliza Hamilton and the Founding Fathers come to life. Complete with extraordinary and intricate historical detail, I could imagine every argument, meeting and setting with ease. Overall, I learned the lengths that Hamilton went to make sure his legacy for the foundations of the United States was set. Complete with love, loss, scandal and war, My Dear Hamilton is one of my favorite reads this year.This book was received for free in return for an honest review.

      1 person found this helpful

    • 5/5
      "If Alexander had lived, he'd have never let that stand. He'd have challenged Monroe just as he challenged me, and everyone else, every day of his life. And I am a better person for it.I live in a better world because of Alexander Hamilton.And so do we all." (Eliza Hamilton in My Dear Hamilton)OMG, people, this book.As a history nerd and former junior high social studies teacher, I've always been a bit of an Alexander Hamilton fan, even when I didn't agree 100% with every single choice he made in his personal(! Dude! What were you thinking???) or professional life. I vaguely remembered reading some about his wife in one of Cokie Roberts' books (Ladies of Liberty: The Women Who Shaped Our Nation), but it was ages ago and I don't remember a whole lot.Seriously, how is it possible that no one has written an actual biography of Elizabeth Schuyler Hamilton? I've had Chernow's book on my mental TBR's "when I've got a good chunk of time" shelf for some time--surely I'll manage it before seeing the musical next year, yes?--but of course Mr. Hamilton will be the focus of that work, not his wife. When I saw that Ms. Dray and Ms. Kamoie were writing a biographical historical fiction version of her life? I was beyond excited. I'd loved America's First Daughter, after all (even if I can never think of Thomas Jefferson in quite the same way again) and knew they'd do an equally amazing job telling Eliza's story.They did not disappoint! Though the story had me captivated from start to finish, the author notes at the end were equally engrossing. Separating fact from fiction and hearing their reasoning behind the choices they made when fictionalizing Eliza's life was absolutely fascinating. The Telling Her Story: How My Dear Hamilton Differs from Hamilton: An American Musical section was just as fascinating, and I completely blame these two authors if just hearing the words "I'm not throwing away my shot" makes me burst into tears from this point on. (I may also spend much of my time at the musical performance next year glaring at the actress who plays Angelica. Don't judge.)I really can't recommend this book enough. If you love American history (but perhaps wonder where the women are in the history books...?) read this. If you're an Alexander Hamilton fan--whether you already have/are going to/want to see/or have never heard of (if that's the case, where the heck have you been?) the musical version of his life, read this. If you love books about strong but flawed heroines, read this.Heck, just read this book. You won't be sorry. Since I now have an audio, print, and ebook copy, you'd better believe this book has now been shifted to my "I'm going to read this again, and again, and again..." shelf. I'll try to resist the urge to read it again right now somehow.To distract myself, a re-read of Ladies of Liberty: The Women Who Shaped Our Nation is most definitely in order...and maybe Founding Brothers: The Revolutionary Generation too, while I'm at it...maybe it's even time to seriously consider picking up Chernow's book...?However, I'll probably never be a Thomas Jefferson fan again...just sayin'. This novel did not at all improve my opinion of him...Rating: 5 stars / A

      1 person found this helpful

    • 4/5
      I was really anticipating this book. I had enjoyed America’s First Daughter, the book these same authors wrote about Patsy Jefferson (who makes an appearance in this novel.) It is certainly delightful learning about the country’s Founding Fathers through the eyes of the women closest to them. This book tells Alexander Hamilton’s story but it is very much Eliza’s book.It is delightfully hefty book that allows the reader to sit down and truly get immersed in the subjects of the tale. The problem faced by the authors as they explained in the note at the end is that there was very little left in the historical record specifically about Eliza. It’s as if the men in her life sucked up all that would be remembered and left only crumbs for her. Given the times in which she came of age and the company she kept I suppose it could be understood. When your father is fighting to found your country and your husband is molding it – what is left for you? It also wasn’t exactly a time that revered the efforts of women was it? The authors had to rely upon those crumbs and then do what fiction writers do – imagine.Imagine they did using their extensive research and knowledge of the era. But while this is Eliza’s story, Hamilton does overwhelm her as soon as he appears in the pages. From the moment they are introduced it is all about him. I can’t say that I liked him. I also can’t say that I have much to compare this characterization t0 so I don’t know if it is accurate to his personality or not. He did suck the air out of any room he was in and even after he was dead it was Hamilton, Hamilton, Hamilton.Eliza was apparently a very devoted wife.It was a very good read, as annoyed as I got at Mr. Hamilton. I also wonder how this country survived it’s first few decades. I really need to do more reading of American history. The story of Eliza, so dedicated to her husband and to her country is a fascinating look at the woman behind the man who did so much for a country that did not always respect him or his ideas. It is very much worth reading.

      1 person found this helpful

    • 4/5
      My Dear Hamilton is a highly researched book about Eliza (Betsy) Schuyler Hamilton. A woman who gave her heart and soul not only to her family but to her country. A woman who endured the first scandal of the new country. Eliza Hamilton at times seems like a ninny a person who closed her eyes to her husband's behavior but who according to the authors overlooked and did everything she could to make sure that her husband, Alexander Hamilton, had a place in history that he deserved. Four stars were awarded in this review.
    • 5/5
      Audiobook review. I’m glad I chose to listen to this book versus reading it. The narrator does an excellent job crafting a persona and voice for each character. This was further enhanced by her acting skill.she expertly guides one from each emotional high to low and everything in between . I could close my eyes and feel I was in the middle of 18th century America, Interacting with all the familiar names from history. Of course the bulk of the praise must go to the authors. They developed characters true to what is historically known about each while plausibly filling In the blanks. One is therefore left with a real 3D person not that flat persona often found in history books and novels written by less skilled authors. Though this book is heavy on the historical details of the times and the life and work of Hamilton, this remains front and center the story of Eliza and her love affair with Alexander. There can be no question that Hamilton was brilliant ,he is after all the architect of our federal government, but he was human and therefore flawed. Eliza as the narrator takes us through the joys, anguish, and fears she experienced as the wife of such a man. There are loses, scandals and betrayals not only in the nascent country but even in their marriage. How Eliza handles herself shows her incredible inner strength. I’m definitely a fan! In this book we have a great piece of historical fiction. In Eliza we have another great founding mother!
    • 5/5
      This is the second historical novel by the writing team of Stephanie Dray and Laura Kamoie. The first was about Thomas Jefferson's daughter and this is about Alexander Hamilton's wife, Eliza Schuyler Hamilton. The authors saw the play Hamilton: An American Musical when it first came to Broadway. While they were astonished by what they call "an incredible work of historical fiction", they also became curious about Hamilton's wife Eliza and wanted to know more about her than they learned from the play and from the book it was based on (Ron Chernow's Alexander Hamilton). It didn't take them long to decide this woman's accomplishments should also be told. Eliza's story is far too tumultuous and long, almost one hundred years, for me to say much here. It's well known that she is responsible for saving much of Hamilton's correspondence, essays and other writing, dogging both his friends and enemies, even taking them to court, to obtain documents that were important to the establishment of an American government. She was also an advocate for poor women and children, something women of her social class wouldn't normally do, and after her husband's death worked as the manager of an orphanage. Although this is a novel, the writers share their research with readers. It is their custom to make visits to sites connected to the subject and I enjoy reading about their experiences and impressions of those places that still remain. They also make the list of all of their sources available online, something that few writers of historical fiction do.At about 650 pages, the authors are through and professional. The book is very readable though and gives us a better understanding of what Revolutionary women committed to being and doing. I think I should note that Stephanie Dray is a former teacher and lawyer and Laura Kamoie has a doctorate in history and is a former assistant professor at the U.S. Navel Academy. They both live near Washington, D.C.

      2 people found this helpful

    • 4/5
      Finished just in time for my book discussion tonight! It was interesting to see this important time period in American history through Eliza's eyes. I thought I had a good grasp of the facts from this era but I still learned quite a bit. I can't wait to see what tonight's group thinks of it. I am also doing it for a discussion for another group in two weeks. It is always fun to see how the two groups look at the same book in different ways.

      2 people found this helpful

    • 3/5
      This was a very interesting account of early American history, and the authors did a great job bringing the events to life. Also, I loved their notes explaining where and why creative license was taken.I didn't rate this book higher because for the first part of the book Alexander was so petulant and vengeful that I didn't believe Eliza could love him. I felt she was confusing physical attraction and love of his ideals with love for the man. Later their relationship changed so that I could believe Eliza was in love with her husband.These next couple points seem picky, but I mention them because they pulled me out of the story:Some of Eliza's speech seemed modern. For example, regardless of how she felt about slavery, given the time period, isn't more likely that she would have described Sally Hemings as Jefferson's mulatto slave rather than Jefferson's "enslaved mulatto"?And was Eliza really pregnant for a year? One chapter starts with a heading telling us it is September 1791. On the next page Eliza tells us, "When the winter's snow came...I was again with child." By the next page it is December 1792 and Alexander describes Eliza as "too far gone with child". On December 12, 1792, Eliza has a newborn. A silly mistake that resulted in a brief but unfortunate distraction.I do look forward to reading the authors' next book. I would love for them to write about Abigail Adams or Dolly Madison.

      1 person found this helpful

    • 5/5
      My Dear Hamilton is my favorite book that I have read this year. Stephanie Dray and Laura Kamoie give us a history lesson about Alexander Hamilton through the eyes of his wife, Eliza. Their storytelling brings history to life. This book is beyond fabulous. A must read!

      1 person found this helpful

    • 5/5
      I learned so much from this book. The authors really know how to craft a compelling sentence. The story is a fascinating foray into a part of history that I really didn't know much about. So I found myself researching moments and people, all the while jotting down notes in the book and underlining passages. Yup, I'm that kinda reader and damn proud of it! :D

      The story though and the trials Eliza Hamilton went through were really tough and I'm left with a sadness to think of all that she and her family went through. Even though the authors crafted a list of books they encountered during the research, I'm hesitant to delve into the intricacies of the Hamilton history any more than I already have, because it felt so emotional at times. Also a mark of brilliant writing, to bring forth so many feelings and empathy.

      I also want to note how interesting it is to see the food and drink of the era threaded throughout the book. I LOVE those kinds of details and it does kinda make me want to throw a Founding Fathers' and Females Food Fiesta! (Peep that alliteration, kids.)

      I can't promise I caught all the food references, but here's the list I wrote down at the front of the book, in case you're a fan of food facts too. I mostly recorded page numbers too except for once, inexplicably, but it was the first one I wrote down, so I suppose that's less annoying. I'll find the page number eventually!

      - Stewed pears in spiced wine with fresh cream
      - Cold ham with thick slices of bread and butter (p. 231)
      - Chocolate creams in fluted crystal glasses and a silver tray of caraway confits (p. 421)
      - Oysters, striped bass, seasoned cabbage and carrots, claret, madeira wine, spiced bonny clabber made from soured milk for dessert (p. 19)
      - Yellow plum preserves, short-crust biscuits, strong tea (p. 19)
      - Warmed cider (p. 71)
      - Rum punch
      - Honey cakes, marzipan, candied almonds, olie-koeken (p. 132)
      - Raspberry leaf tea with honey (p. 149)
      - Beef tongue, peas and potatoes in an herbed butter sauce (p. 194)
      - Roast duck and dumplings, pork with cabbage, imported chocolates, baked apples and raisins, cinnamon bark and koekjes (cookies) (p. 132)
      - Smoked salmon (p. 210)
      - Coffee, freshly ground (p. 226)
      - Whiskey and waffles (p. 230)
      - Porridge (p. 246)
      - Sparkling wine (p. 254)
      - Raspberry leaves for cramps, lavender oil for headache (p. 249)
      - Pork, custard-filled profiteroles (p. 262)
      - Freshly-made lemonade (p. 280)
      - Madeira, peas, greens and vegetables of every variety (p. 289)
      - Apple pie (p. 295)
      - Lemon cake (p. 330)
      - Rye-flour peppernoot cookies, fragrant with cinnamon, anise and clove (p.321)
      - Champagne
      - Bark tonic for fever (p. 339)
      - Lemon ice (p. 366)
      - Cold mutton, buttered bread (p. 379)
      - Veal, wartime tripe stew (p. 419)
      - Raspberry tarts, fresh strawberry jam shortbread cookies, cherry pie (p. 483)

      So if you end up having a fancy founders' party, tag me in your Instagram pics! I'm @booksbrewsandbooze!
    • 5/5
      Thanks to Ron Chernow’s award-winning biography and Lin-Manuel Miranda’s award-winning musical, interest in the historical figure of Alexander Hamilton has experienced a rebirth in recent years. Many have also fallen in love with his wife Eliza who endured much for the birth of America – a revolutionary war, the country’s first sex scandal, deadly duels impacting her family, whispers and improprieties, a hostile post-revolution political environment, and fifty years of being a widow. However, the historical record is strikingly silent with first-hand data from her directly. Thus, we are left to imagine what her life had been life.Along with Tilar Mizzeo’s recent work, this work seeks to fill that gap. Well-researched and well-conceived, this book imagines what the emotional life of one of America’s first mothers would have been like. Historically, Eliza shows up frequently, but again, first-hand knowledge of her voice seems sparse. Dray and Kamoie imagine her inner life among all of a newly-born Republic’s twists and turns.Together, they paint a picture of a lady of deep character, deep religious faith, yet susceptible to political rivalries and emotional hurts. To them, Eliza clearly learned much from her brilliant husband. She never forgave Aaron Burr for her husband’s murder nor others who wounded her husband’s reputation. So much in her life that was unresolved. And yet, in Dray and Kamoie’s imaginations, Eliza maintained her inner integrity, probably in excess of her husband.This is a feminist work, a work of a woman who overcomes all the nastiness that life has to offer. It proudly shows the contribution of women to life. It serves as a reminder that modern democracy was birthed not only by first fathers but also by first mothers. These first mothers include Martha Washington, Dolley Madison, and a host of others portrayed in this novel.So is it any good? A thousand times, yes. The authors show a mastery of the historical record, the human condition, American politics, and gender. They delve into matters to a depth that has rarely ever been matched in portrayals of the Revolutionary and post-Revolutionary periods. Readers interested in American history, politics, and fiction will find much to delight in.
    • 5/5
      I won a copy of this book on Early Reviewers in LibraryThing but never did receive it. But I wanted to know the story so much that I saved up for the audio version and bought it. Then because there were 18 discs, I delayed from playing for a long time until now. I am very glad that I bought the audio version, my vision is very poor and I would have not made it thrught the book without a lot of eyepain. Also, because I had to save up to purchase the audio book, I was not likely to give up on it like many readers of the print version.I love historical fiction and although it was very difficult for the author to write a book on so few resources, she read both the well founded and not so well founded (gossipy)and was very careful to stick to the truth as much as possible. Had Eliza Hamilton been allowed to listen to the book along with me, she might have been embarrassed a few times but I feel that she would agree that this is a true portrait of her and Alexander Hamilton as possible.I remember at the beginning that I was a little lost at the opening of the book at Eliza's anger at her husband but that was because the book started in the middle of the story. At the beginning, there was a lot of detail about her father that I did not at the time understand. But several discs, I got drawn into the story and wished that I could spend the day listeniog to it. Thirteen pages of notes, front and back I took. I cried several times, particurly at her son's death and when Eliza and Alexander were both sick and did not know if they would survive. I highly recommend this book in the audio version. Please do not give up on it quickly, it is well worth sticking it out to the end.
    • 3/5
      I am about 17% into the book on my Kindle and have already tired of Betsey's voice. She has the precise answer for every situation and she speaks with authority over all men. In fact Hamilton, Monroe, even her dad Gen Philip Schuyler are wimps when she makes a biting retort. In my estimation, no colonial woman could talk to men the way she does. On the other hand, she can be haughtily silent, with only the reader knowing what her disdainful thoughts are. Monroe comes to visit her; there was apparently somewhat of a relationship in the past. When he shown into the parlor he stutters and is very ill-at-ease. "I don't say anything. In truth, I take perverse pleasure in the pained yearning I imagine I see upon Monroe's face as I force him to founder against the wall of my silence...I wield mine expertly".Yes, any man is a stumbling, bumbling simpleton against her expert psychological superiority. Ah well, I shall continue with this five-times-to-long book.
    • 4/5
      I haven't seen Hamilton, either on stage or screen (I refuse to subscribe to Disney), but I wanted to learn more about the history behind the musical, in particular Alexander Hamilton's wife, Eliza Schuyler. This weighty novelisation seemed to fit the bill, so I spent four days religiously reading - and loving, for the most part - every page!I don't know a lot about early American history, so Eliza's story - and through her, Alexander's, as with the musical, I believe - was informative (if biased in favour of the protagonists, as the authors admit). But - and I think this says more about me - what I took away from the novel was how similar Alexander and Eliza's marriage was to John F Kennedy and wife Jacqueline's ten year powerhouse pairing. Maybe I'm obsessed, but the parallels really stood out while reading! Primarily, of course, there is the fact that Eliza became the keeper of her husband's legacy after his death (he was also shot, but in a duel by a political rival): 'His memory, which I must honour for the sake of our children if nothing else, is impossible for me to escape,' Eliza explains in the first chapter. Coming from an influential Dutch family - her father was a general during the revolution - Eliza was not considered to be a beauty next to her sister Angelica, and so fell hard for the charming 'winsome man with captivating eyes'. She sensed in Hamilton 'wounds that perhaps could not be healed' - he was an immigrant from the West Indies, the illegitimate son of a woman thrown in jail for being a prostitute - but Eliza wanted to be the woman to try. They married and had many children, but Hamilton's affair with the wife of an opponent was a great scandal - which Hamilton was forced to publicly admit to. 'What did Eliza know? That's what everyone wonders.' Sound familiar? JFK's sexual transgressions didn't become news until long after his death, but like Eliza, Jackie chose to stay: 'For whatever wrongs he'd done to me, he'd also given me a happier life than I believed myself destined for'. After Hamilton's death, which followed the death of her younger sister, mother and eldest son, and was followed by losing her father, Eliza discovered that Hamilton might have had an affair with her eldest sister, Angelica, too - again, like Jackie and her sister Lee. Eliza eventually decides to honour his memory, understanding that her 'needy, insecure' husband 'could never forego and impulse or resist the affections he'd been starved of as a child'. Family friend Lafayette tells her, 'He was not a perfect man, but he was a great one.'Anyway! Aside from my own niche interpretation, Alexander and Eliza's story is full of history and action - 'court martials, battles, duels and mutinies', 'scandals, riots, plagues and mental illnesses too', as the afterword sums up their lives. Nearly 600 pages, but my mind only wandered through some of the more expositional political debates! Now I just need to watch the musical.
    • 5/5
      I confess, I got interested in Alexander Hamilton, thanks to the Broadway play. I started reading Ron Chernow's book several months - which is good, but it's taking me a while to get through it. This was a much easier read - still long, but easier.I don't remember how I found out about this book, My Dear Hamilton, but finally bought a copy and loved it. Wow. As mentioned in other reviews, it's a fictional biography of Hamilton's wife. It starts before she meets Hamilton and ends years after his death. So much good stuff in this book...I wish I'd paid a little more attention in history class about this time period and about the early government. If you're a fan of history, early government times, and/or Hamilton, I strongly recommend this book. I finished reading it several days ago, but I can't let it go yet.

      1 person found this helpful