Alexander Hamilton's Influence and Dedication

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This narrative is a very brief look on the life of how Alexander Hamilton was able to shape the new country through hard work, superior intellect, and persuasion. If nothing less, Alexander Hamilton is the absolute definition of an American; he proves that hard work and dedication can make one rise to a very influential position. The ten brief chapters are chronologically ordered to give this biography a story-time feel; each chapter documents a very specific time in his life.
"St. Croix/Manhattan" covers his youth and his time as a poor immigrant in America. In "War", Alexander Hamilton is shown making his first few strides in the new country by working under George Washington in the Revolutionary war. In "Laws", he argues his first few cases as a lawyer and rewrites the nation's law structure. "Treasury Secretary" narrates Hamilton's first few years on the job during his most creative time; this is the period in which he shaped the country's economic structure most and created the most innovative ideas. In "Fighting", Hamilton's conflicting ideas with other politicians is shown. "Losing" describes his mistakes and accusations of other politicians including a sex scandal and money embezzlement. The next three chapters describe the major themes that run throughout his life including "Words", "Rights", and "Passions". Finally, the last chapter gives a general overview of what occurred in this great man's life. If nothing else, this biography helps Hamilton shed his skewed image as the "bastard brat of a Scotch peddler," sex scandal survivor, and notoriously doomed dueling partner of Aaron Burr.
First off, "St. Croix/Manhattan" narrates Hamilton's young life as poor islander coming to America. Hamilton was born in th...

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...as bait in this sordid blackmail scheme. Hamilton denied financial embezzlement, but admitted adultery.
Many find Alexander Hamilton to be a carbon-copy of Bill Clinton. Both men had fathers that abandoned them at a young age; both men came from poor conditions and rose very powerful positions; both were very intelligent and successful lawyers; and both were accused of financial embezzlement and later admitted to love affairs instead, even though Clinton lied about his affair.
Although Hamilton is not a very universally like founding-father, his accomplishments and innovations regarding America's political and economic system were essential to bringing the nation where it is today. Brookhiser does a fantastic job of helping Hamilton shed the skin of a "bastard brat of a Scotch peddler," sex scandal survivor, and notoriously doomed dueling partner of Aaron Burr.

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