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Historians on Hamilton
Historians on Hamilton: How a Blockbuster Musical Is Restaging America's Past | Renee C. Romano, Claire Bond Potter
4 posts | 2 read | 11 to read
America has gone Hamilton crazy. Lin-Manuel Mirandas Tony-winning musical has spawned sold-out performances, a triple platinum cast album, and a score so catchy that it is being used to teach U.S. history in classrooms across the country. But just how historically accurate is Hamilton? And how is the show itself making history? Historians on Hamilton brings together a collection of top scholars to explain the Hamilton phenomenon and explore what it might mean for our understanding of Americas history. The contributors examine what the musical got right, what it got wrong, and why it matters. Does Hamiltons hip-hop take on the Founding Fathers misrepresent our nations past, or does it offer a bold positive vision for our nations future? Can a musical so unabashedly contemporary and deliberately anachronistic still communicate historical truths about American culture and politics? And is Hamilton as revolutionary as its creators and many commentators claim? Perfect for students, teachers, theatre fans, hip-hop heads, and history buffs alike, these short and lively essays examine why Hamilton became an Obama-era sensation and consider its continued relevance in the age of Trump. Whether you are a fan or a skeptic, you will come away from this collection with a new appreciation for the meaning and importance of the Hamilton phenomenon.
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danimgill
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I really enjoyed this collection of essays that analyze various aspects of the Hamilton phenomenon from how much "actual history" it portrays vs what it chose to leave out to how it fits into the Broadway canon to how it has impacted pop culture and education. Some elements are a little repetitive but overall it was a great collection of critical essays, especially if you (like me) just watched the proshot on disney+ this weekend.

Christine I can‘t stop watching it on Disney+. ❤️ 4y
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danimgill
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This book of essays engaging with various aspects of Hamilton has been so interesting, I'm about halfway through and excited to finally take in the show for myself with some of these lenses in mind!

MsMelissa I‘m so happy the show is being streamed! I was supposed to see it last month, but it was obviously cancelled. The show was rescheduled for this fall, but I‘m positive it will get cancelled too 😢 Disney Plus will just have to do. 4y
danimgill @Book_Fiend_Melissa oh no, I'm sorry about the rescheduling! I just finished streaming it and really enjoyed it, I hope it tides you over until you're finally able to go 4y
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ValerieAndBooks
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Interesting & thought-provoking. Several Professional (they make sure you know this) Historians provide essays on Hamilton, the play. Ranges from what was left out, representation in Broadway history & films, even the shortcomings of Chernow‘s bio of Hamilton. Some points were repeated by some essayists but overall the consensus is that the play, such as it is, is welcomed in that it can spark dialogues & interest, plus it‘s great theater!

rubyslippersreads Sounds interesting. I ❤️ the musical but haven‘t yet plowed through the Chernow bio. 4y
ValerieAndBooks @rubyslippersreads I read the bio long before the musical came out and found it informative then. But some of the historians in this essay collection feel that Chernow wasn‘t even-handed in the facts — but I think it‘s expected that most biographers of anyone tend to emphasize what they want to. 4y
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ValerieAndBooks
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Hope you all had/are having a wonderful holiday season— I did 😊! Finally some time to read; this is an essay collection of a variety of historians weighing in on Hamilton the man and Hamilton the musical. Not a Christmas gift but one I picked up very recently at the Museum of the American Revolution along with the bookmark (“Perseverance and spirit have done wonders in all ages” - George Washington).

BarbaraBB Your room looks so cosy 😍 4y
ValerieAndBooks @BarbaraBB 😊. It‘s raining today; glad I don‘t have to go anywhere and can be cozy and read for a while ! 4y
Suet624 All those bookshelves. Sigh. 4y
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