This is the first full length biography of Elizabeth Hamilton...ever! 🤯 🥰. Thank you,  Dr. Mazzeo! 🙌

Let's talk about the author's credentials!  Tilar has a double PhD in English and Theory and Criticism.  She has held teaching positions at a variety of institutions from both the US and Canada.  She has written a number of nonfiction books and, from what I've read, she appears to deep dive into each of her books in order to write an accurate account. 

For this book, she was able to review a number of unpublished source material (including an entire collection housed with Sotheby's awaiting auction, graciously shared by the owner) in addition to publically available materials, which led to her conclusions - which, in some ways, diverge from the conclusions drawn by Alexander's biographers.

I don't think I've ever been so absorbed into a biography.  I've collected 31 quotes and/or paragraphs, in addition to 10 bookmarks of fascinating pages which didn't fit into a highlight. And, to be honest, I was holding myself back. 😩

Every page held an interesting piece of history or quote.  Her way of presenting Eliza's life really humanized her as a woman, a mother, and, really, a Founding Mother, just as much as any Founding Father.  

The women were keeping things running while the men were away and with their own politicking, they really ran a lot behind the scenes. Elizabeth did this with her letters and the way she personally connected with people and her ability to open her home up to anyone.

If you like impactful & strong women, memoirs, or like the musical Hamilton, you may like this book. 

Triggers: Death, War, Violence, Child Death

Fav Quotes:

• As Eliza described Alexander's role and vision later. "He made your government...He made your bank. I sat up all night with him to help him do it."

• He asked her obedience in this matter, and, by law and by custom, Eliza had no choice as a wife but to give it.

• Had they been living in Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice, Angelica would have been Jane Bennett and Eliza, Eliza.