Alexander Hamilton: The Making of America #1

by Teri Kanefield

Overview

The America that Alexander Hamilton knew was largely agricultural and built on slave labor. He envisioned something else: a multi-racial, urbanized, capitalistic America with a strong central government. He believed that such an America would be a land of opportunity for the poor and the newcomers. But Hamilton’s vision put him at odds with his archrivals who envisioned a pastoral America of small towns, where governments were local, states would control their own destiny, and the federal government would remain small and weak.

The disputes that arose during America’s first decades continued through American history to our present day. Over time, because of the systems Hamilton set up and the ideas he left, his vision won out. Here is the story that epitomizes the American dream—a poor immigrant who made good in America. In the end, Hamilton rose from poverty through his intelligence and ability, and did more to shape our country than any of his contemporaries.

Related subjects and concepts discussed in the book include:

Law and Legal Concepts
Due process
Bill of Rights
Freedom of Speech and the Press
Originalism / nonoriginalism (theories of Constitutional interpretation)

Government
Checks and Balances
Democracy
Electoral College
Republic

Financial Concepts
Capitalism
Credit
Inflation
Interest
Mercantilism
Securities: Stocks and Bonds
Tariffs
Taxes

Miscellaneous
Demagogues
Dueling
Pastoralism

About the Series
The Making of America series traces the constitutional history of the United States through overlapping biographies of American men and women. The debates that raged when our nation was founded have been argued ever since: How should the Constitution be interpreted? What is the meaning, and where are the limits of personal liberty? What is the proper role of the federal government? Who should be included in “we the people”? Each biography in the series tells the story of an American leader who helped shape the United States of today.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781419725784
Publisher:	ABRAMS
Publication date:	03/07/2017
Pages:	208
Sales rank:	184,951
Product dimensions:	5.70(w) x 7.50(h) x 0.90(d)
Lexile:	1170L (what's this?)
Age Range:	10 - 14 Years

About the Author

Teri Kanefield is a lawyer and writer. Her books for children have won numerous awards and distinctions, including the Jane Addams Peace Award in the Older Readers category. She lives with her family in San Francisco, California.

Table of Contents

Prologue: The Duel 1

1 An Orphan and a Dreamer 6

2 An Immigrant 20

3 A Soldier 33

4 Victory in Love and War 48

5 Striving for Magnificence 65

6 Capitalism: A New Vision for America 77

7 Due Process of Law 85

8 Steps in the Right Direction 97

9 The Good Ship Hamilton 104

10 Secretary of the Treasury 123

11 Rivalry with Jefferson 143

12 Rivalry with Burr 154

13 Afterward 172

14 Legacy 176

Samples of Alexander Hamilton's Work 178

Time Line 186

Endnotes 188

Bibliography 198

Acknowledgments 200

Index 201

Editorial Reviews

02/13/2017
Well-timed to tap into ongoing Hamilton-mania, Kanefield (The Extraordinary Suzy Wright) revisits America’s formative years in a lucid biography that illuminates the personality and politics of Alexander Hamilton, spotlighting his role in shaping the structure of the U.S. government and economy. Disinherited and shunned due to his illegitimate birth at a time when birthright paved one’s way to success, Hamilton emigrated from the island of St. Croix to New York City, determined to improve his financial and social status and find fame through his own achievements. Kanefield credibly reveals how Hamilton’s intelligence, high self-expectations, commitment to his beliefs, and skills as an orator and writer fueled his advocacy of a strong central government rooted in mercantilism and manufacturing. Details about Hamilton’s complex relationships with George Washington and Thomas Jefferson offer insight into the ideologies and character of all three statesmen, and add additional human dimension to this portrait of this nation’s beginnings. Excerpts from Hamilton’s writings, period art, and sidebars defining historical, political, and legislative terms further enhance this absorbing chronicle. Ages 10–14. (Mar.)

Publishers Weekly

"Thoroughly researched and cited, this book is accessibly written and full of valuable information...Hamilton’s intelligence, ceaseless drive, and penchant for speaking his mind come across, giving readers a clear view of Hamilton’s character and his role in creating America."

Booklist

This balanced account of the life of Alexander Hamilton, an immigrant who found success with his perseverance and dedication to America, is an accessible biography. Explaining first his eventual downfall in a duel with Aaron Burr, Kanefield chronologically shares Hamilton’s upbringing as an illegitimate son before leaving St. Croix for New York. His dedication to learning quickly earned him company with prominent figures working to create a nation independent from the English. It was his quick intellect and depth of character that then earned him a place alongside George Washington and Thomas Jefferson, as well as his marriage into the Phillip Schuyler family. Then, his strong opinions published in the Federalist Papers, his appointment to the Treasury Department, and his fruitful law practice kept his place in history—along with his tragic demise at the hands of Aaron Burr in the duel. Kanefield is a capable nonfiction writer, organizing an eloquent review of Hamilton’s life while balancing the perspectives of his adversaries and skeptics. She uses text boxes to explain complicated theories and incorporates Hamilton’s own writing to paint a well-rounded image of who he was and what he what he stood for. The story is told easily, making a founding father accessible to young readers the way Lin-Manuel Miranda has done on Broadway. This purchase should be at the top of the list. Reviewer: Alicia Abdul; Ages 11 to 18.

VOYA, April 2017 (Vol. 40, No. 1) - Alicia Abdul

02/01/2017
Gr 5–8—Kanefield has produced an informative yet accessible biography of the famed Founding Father for a middle school audience. The narrative begins with Alexander Hamilton's often difficult youth in the West Indies, where he gained his first lessons in the power of finance. The text covers his departure to school in Colonial New York City, his rising star during the American Revolution, his role in the development of the Constitution, and his fateful duel with Aaron Burr. Readers gain an appreciation for the messy political feuds that followed the Revolution, particularly between the Federalists and the anti-Federalists. Hamilton's crucial role as an industrial, capitalistic visionary is fully explored. Kanefield succeeds in revealing the differences among the various political and economic philosophies during the early decades of the American Republic, including the distinction between Hamilton's mercantilism and Thomas Jefferson's agrarianism. Relevant paintings from the 18th, 19th, and 20th centuries are presented throughout. These portraits, landscapes, and architectural images range in size from one-quarter of a page to a full page. Scans of primary documents, such as Hamilton's commission as treasury secretary, are also included. Key concepts, like the Articles of Confederation and mercantilism, are explained in sidebars. Some details, such as investments, loans, and bonds—which played a critical role in Hamilton's philosophy—can be difficult to grasp, and some readers may need further clarification. VERDICT Considering the staggering popularity of the Broadway musical Hamilton, students will crave this title. A great addition to upper elementary and middle school libraries.—Jeffrey Meyer, Mount Pleasant Public Library, IA

School Library Journal

2017-01-17
The contributions and eventful life of founding father Alexander Hamilton are examined and explained.The enthusiasm for Broadway hit and cultural phenomenon Hamilton, The Musical shows little signs of abating, and its popular cast album has generated interest in the country's first treasury secretary among all ages. This brief biography seeks to answer questions about the talented founding father whose background was so unlike those of his peers. Beginning and ending with Hamilton's duel with then-Vice President Aaron Burr, the remainder follows his life, focusing on many of the highlights that brought him to prominence. Of course, his efforts to determine the country's economic system and the rivalry they spawned with Thomas Jefferson are prominent. Kanefield provides necessary context for the differing worldviews of the two men, cogently explaining the strong distrust between growing mercantile interests and the planter class. In much the same way, she compares the similarities between Hamilton and Burr as well as the political differences that eventually drove them to the duel. Given the target audience, there is no mention of the sex scandal that tarnished Hamilton's public reputation, but there is some sense of his complicated personality. The strength of the book is the generous use of Hamilton's own words, including a section with samples of his writings. Illustrations and sidebars add clarity to the readable narrative. A solid introduction to a charismatic founding father. (timeline, chapter notes, bibliography, index) (Biography. 10-14)

Kirkus Reviews