When Lin-Manuel Miranda read "Alexander Hamilton" by Ron Chernow, he was astounded that no one had written a play about the man. Miranda saw Hamilton's life as pure drama - a play unfolding. The Hampton Historical Society history book group will discuss "Alexander Hamilton," the bestseller on which Miranda based his Tony-award winning play, on Sunday, January 8, 2017 at 1 p.m., at the Tuck Museum in Hampton.
"The book is information dense," said Barbara Tosiano, director of the Hampton Falls Free Library, who leads the history book group discussions. "Attendees don't have to read the whole book if they don't want to. It's fine to just read a chapter or two, any one of which has plenty of drama." All are invited to attend the book discussions.
As she does for each discussion, Tosiano will prepare a dessert that complements the book. For "Alexander Hamilton," she'll prepare a Caribbean treat - because Hamilton was born and lived his early life on St. Croix. "It will have pineapple or mango, brown sugar, and will be flavored with rum," Tosiano noted.
Hamilton's childhood was trauma filled, from illness to desertion, bankruptcy, suicide and death - when he was 13 years old his mother, lying next to him in bed one night, suddenly died.
"Imagine a swashbuckling scene from a "Pirates of the Caribbean" movie," said Tosiano. "That's what life on St. Croix must have been like back then. Hamilton came virtually out of nowhere to America, penniless and without family or friends, and turned his life into an American success story."
Hamilton was a man of contradictions (he was a devoted husband and father, yet he had affairs) - one topic for discussion.
Other topics include:
- The lifelong, bitter rivalry between Hamilton and Aaron Burr (Hamilton was better liked, more influential and highly accomplished
- among his many successes were founding the Department of the Treasury and the U. S. Coast Guard)
- Why people either loved Hamilton (such as George Washington) or hated him (such as Thomas Jefferson, John Adams - and Burr)
- Hamilton's untimely death at age 49 (he died as a result of a duel with Burr in Weehawken, NJ)
- Why Hamilton is so popular today (witness the success of the Broadway musical about his life!)
"Hamilton is a hot topic," said Tosiano. So join in what should prove to be a fun and lively discussion on January 8, and be a part of the current Hamilton craze. For more information call 603-929-0781.
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