Name: My Dear Hamilton
ISBN: 9781635463002

Stephanie Dray

Laura Croghan Kamoie

Eliza Schuyler Hamilton was a revolutionary woman who struggled to define herself in the wake of war, betrayal, and tragedy. Not just the wronged wife at the center of a political sex scandal, she was also a founding mother who shaped an American legacy in her own right. Following Alexander's death in a duel, Eliza battled to understand the flawed man she married ... and the imperfect union he never could have created without her.

A Novel of Eliza Schuyler Hamilton

My Dear Hamilton

Laura Kamoie

“Not since I read Erik Larson’s Dead Wake have I had such an edge-of-my-seat immersion into historical events. . . . No study of Alexander Hamilton would be complete without reading this book.”—Karen White, New York Times bestselling author 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. 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…

Elda Mengisto

"But Monroe has already invaded my parlor so I must deal with him. And I must deal with him myself. To do otherwise, would be to discount a lifetime of lessons from my father, a general who taught me that when faced with the specter of defeat, one must meet it swiftly and with as much dignity as possible" (3-4).

Like a lot of people, I'm familiar with Hamilton the musical; I've listened to the soundtrack and was impressed with how Lin-Manuel Miranda managed to take historical events and write a relatively accurate story. It also led to a lot of people learning more about this period in American history, especially around Alexander Hamilton's role in it. One of these important characters is Elizabeth "Eliza" Schuyler, who marries him and bears witness to the events going across the country and within his life. After his death, she would go on to defend his legacy, along with pursuing charity work with orphans.

With the amount of research Dray and Kamoie pursue, I expected the general feel of the book to remind me of an Alison Weir novel--a bit of overload with information, but otherwise so vivid, one cannot deny the time and place where the story occurs. Instead, the story is very character-based, focusing on Eliza and her thoughts, something which I knew was meant to be, but still jolted me.
When I started reading the book, I thought this would drag on for much longer than expected. We get to see Eliza growing up with her siblings and noting the going-arounds of the American Revolution, which really intrigued me. She was very keen on Native American life--while this was only brought up rarely throughout the book, it made me curious about her. However, the running theme on the book is the phrase "Semper fidelis"--always loyal.
I actually enjoyed their writing on Alexander Hamilton's courtship with Eliza, especially when he noted her as the fairest tempered girl in America. For example, when they kissed, "It was no tender kiss we shared, happy and sweet. It was a kiss that tasted of grief and desperation. But also, unmistakably and forcefully, ador. I forgot the cold. I forgot the soot and the darkness of the cabin" (109-110)
But it also featured Hamilton's own insecurities, which not only influenced him, but also put Eliza into doubt with his infidelities. 
The way both authors approached it was quite effective--I assumed because of "The Reynolds Pamphlet", Eliza would've found out about the affair at the same time as everyone else, and garnered the shock of it all. However, the revelation earlier in the timeline was more accurate, and I appreciated the flow of events as Eliza is torn between forgiveness and divorce. The scene where they both were infected by yellow fever and then "purged" each other clean of sin was quite moving.
As they stated in the Author's Note, Dray and Kamoie wanted to focus on Eliza preserving Hamilton's legacy as a turning point, and focused on her confrontation with James Monroe rather than on the Reynolds Pamphlet. I assume this subverts the narrative of Eliza "standing for her man", in comparison to her own work affirming her husband and working with her children. When he arrives, it shows her own will and fury--"But he's the only one I can face now. And so I do. Using my silence as a weapon, forcing him to continue speaking until he finds the words that might reach me" (604). Her mental trial of Hamilton beforehand also was a captivating scene, as it has her analyze Hamilton's flaws and strengths all at once.
My Dear Hamilton starts slow, but overtime, I got to appreciate how Eliza interacts with the important people of the American Revolution, along with seeing her becoming her own person. From time with Angelica and Peggy to even talking about the Federalist Papers with Congressman Lincoln (which may or may not be realistic, but quite nice), it pulls you into their world. And it gives good insights on how the United States struggles to live up to its promise, whether its "liberty and justice for all" or how much power the people should have. (7.5/10)

A novel of Eliza Schuyler Hamilton 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...

Steph L 

A stellar Historical Fiction

Being a fan of the Musical Hamilton I have read a few books specifically about Hamilton, and that era over the last years. This one was the best one yet! I loved that Eliza finally had a story, and I enjoyed learning about her.

“Not since I read Erik Larson’s Dead Wake have I had such an edge-of-my-seat immersion into historical events. [...] No study of Alexander Hamilton would be complete without reading this book.”–Karen White, New York Times bestselling author 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. 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…

Yesenia Vargas

This one's a tome but I literally looked forward to getting into bed each night so I could go back to it. Amazing.

"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…

Chantale

After reading and enjoying America's First Daughter by Stephanie Day and Laura Kamoie I knew I just had to read My Dear Hamilton.


Well, I am so very happy I was able to get my hands on a e-ARC of this book because I very much enjoyed it.


My Dear Hamilton is a very well written historical fiction book that is very good and I was not able to put down. I loved the story very much and I know this one will be one I will buy a physical copy of and read again in the future.


I highly recommend this book. 


I am giving this 4 out of 5. 



*I received a e-ARC of this for my honest review*

My Dear Hamilton A Novel of Eliza Schuyler Hamilton

Reviews

Highlights