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HamAlong, Week 2: The Adventures of Bacon Face

This week's HamAlong is dedicated to this redoubt:


Yes, those are toy soldiers and tiny sticks. But LOOK that's what Hamilton and Lafayette had to deal with when they were fighting at Yorktown. How interesting. Redoubts. What a concept.

I definitely did not read the last 40 pages of the reading that I assigned, but I highly enjoyed the other 60 or so. The war part was fine, but Hamilton and Eliza. Man. I'm such an Eliza fan. Yes, Angelica's great, etc etc, but Eliza. When the book was talking about her dad's property, did anyone else flash to this?



Chernow's continuing to laud Hamilton when it seems maybe not deserved? I'm not saying Hamilton doesn't seem like an amazing genius, because he DOES, but his wife list? Is kind of what everyone writes. Like "Oh, I want someone pretty and nice and smart and maybe funny, I dunno." And Chernow is like "SUCH BRILLIANCE, what a remarkable man." I mean, in other ways, yes, sir. But not with the WifeList.

Oh! oh -- ALSO, I feel like he's glossing over some shit. And I mean, I'm not saying his book should be longer. Because it's long enough. But there's some stuff where I've been like "...wait, wasn't there more of a reason for them doing that?" Like he basically acts like the Howe brothers are both idiots and terrible at war, when the book I read last year, Revolutionary Summer by Joseph Ellis, says that they never destroyed the Continental Army because they kept hoping they could effect a reconciliation.

And with Benedict Arnold -- wasn't he passed over for promotion like a lot and in need of money or something? I seem to remember there was more to it than him just being a grasping dickweed. But I feel like to Chernow, anyone who's not constantly saying how awesome Hamilton is is suspect. He's taken some early shots at my man John Adams and I am watching you, sir.


How're you all feeling two weeks into this massive book? It is kind of satisfying opening it and not being at the beginning. And I can tell you, without this readalong, I would never finish this book ever. So thanks for everyone being there for each other. #HAMALONG.


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