Review: Washington and Hamilton: The Alliance That Forged America

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With the success of the Broadway musical, Hamilton, it seems that everyone is an expert on Alexander Hamilton these days. But how much of what we’re hearing is the myth versus the man? Washington and Hamilton: The Alliance that Forged America does an excellent job of separating fact from fiction by focusing on one of the most intriguing relationships in the history of America’s founding.

George Washington is the austere father figure for whom loyalty and reputation mean everything. Alexander Hamilton is the hot-headed by brilliant youth who is capable of greatness—and of destruction. (Who needs quasi-fictional musicals when you so much drama is built right in the history books?) Together, they forge a great nation. Sure, there are a host of secondary characters, but it’s undeniable: Without this dynamic duo, the constitution, if not the country, would not exist as we know it.

It's clear the authors are fond of Hamilton and Washington, but they are not blind to their faults. Thankfully, they didn’t write 95 pages worth of specifics regarding Hamilton’s extramarital affair—as Hamilton himself did. But, nor do they shy away from detailing the many mistakes the men made as well as the often-outlandish accusations levied by their detractors, most notably Jefferson. Each of their allegations and characterizations is derived from original source documents. There are plenty of end notes for the diligent reader who needs to check it out for themselves.