The Jewish World of Alexander Hamilton

By: Andrew Porwancher

Narrated by: George Newbern

In The Jewish World of Alexander Hamilton, Andrew Porwancher debunks a string of myths about the origins of this founding father to arrive at a startling conclusion: Hamilton, in all likelihood, was born and raised Jewish. For more than two centuries, his youth in the Caribbean has remained shrouded in mystery. Hamilton himself wanted it that way, and most biographers have simply assumed he had a Christian boyhood. With a detective's persistence and a historian's rigor, Porwancher upends that assumption.

This radical reassessment of Hamilton's religious upbringing gives us a fresh perspective on both his adult years and the country he helped forge. Although he didn't identify as a Jew in America, Hamilton cultivated a relationship with the Jewish community that made him unique among the founders. As a lawyer, he advocated for Jewish citizens in court. As a financial visionary, he invigorated sectors of the economy that gave Jews their greatest opportunities. As an alumnus of Columbia, he made his alma mater more welcoming to Jewish people. And his efforts are all the more striking given the pernicious antisemitism of the era.

By setting Hamilton in the context of his Jewish world for the first time, this fascinating book challenges us to rethink the life and legend of America's most enigmatic founder.

©2021 Princeton University Press (P)2021 HighBridge, a division of Recorded Books

Must Read for all Americans!

I just finished this book. It is very well-researched and beautifully written. I learned a great deal about Hamilton—and I thought I knew him already. Highly recommend.

Anti-Semitism and Religious Liberty

The Jewish World of Alexander Hamilton is not just about Hamilton. It's also about the role anti-Semitism played in discussions and legislation of religious equality, as well as financial policies and court proceedings in eighteenth century America. It describes what the Jewish community was like in those days. It's an interesting and well narrated book.

Rigorous and Riveting

While the thrust of the book is the case for Hamilton’s Jewish identity, it is also an odyssey through Jewish life in colonial times and the early days of America. Porwancher is an excellent writer, and the narrator conveys the text with precision.

American history with a Jewish twist

I really enjoyed this quick listen, as it took us through the incredibly fascinating historical times during Alexander Hamilton’s life from a Jewish perspective, which I enjoyed. I felt the author really did his homework and provided me a perspective that was thoughtful and well researched. I especially found the discussion fascinating on how some of our most famous American figures at the birthplace of our country felt about Jews from what they wrote.

New information about the founding fathers

The historian presents a convincing argument and sufficient evidence to make his case. Definitely learned something from this book.