Duel: Alexander Hamilton, Aaron Burr, and the Future of America

I would consider this a very balanced account of the backgrounds and lives of Burr and Hamilton. Unlike some historians who are obviously prejudiced against one man or the other, Fleming's style allows the reader to decide. The events leading up to the duel are sobering. Reading the exact words that Burr and Hamilton exchanged in letters that led up to the fateful day, evoke true emotion. You do not need an historian to explain what Burr and Hamilton meant to say in these exchanges - it is there for you to read in black and white and to interpret on your own - it is very powerful. All in all, a great read for those interested in the drama of american history.

I have studied the Jefferson/Burr/Hamilton trio for almost twenty years. While in law school, I wrote a paper, which I intend to publish soon, on the Jefferson/Burr Electoral Tie of 1801 in which I prove the correctness of Burr's actions. What has always astounded and discouraged me has been the insistence with which historians have excoriated Burr, based not on primary documentation, but more often than not on unsupported assertions and opinions. Fleming's book is the first I have seen in these twenty years (and reading back 200 years) that takes a fair look at the facts and draws reasonable conclusions. Indeed, I think he reaches the level of true insight at times. I have only two objections to Fleming's work here. His conclusion that Burr's and Hamilton's actions were based largely on pursuit of "fame" - a word that, in any case, meant different things then than it does now, but nonetheless I do not agree with this conclusion. Secondly, Fleming bases his last chapter, the "Afterward," which deals with the Burr Conspiracy, on the work of Thomas Perkins Abernethy ("The Burr Conspiracy," 1954), a work full of inaccuracies and strongly prejudicial to Burr. Fleming did not cite to Walter Flavius McCaleb's book, "The Aaron Burr Conspiracy" (originally published in 1903, with several later, expanded & updated editions through 1966), which is a far better source on the Conspiracy. Burr was not perfect. His unwillingness to agree to step down if he were elected President insulted and frightened Jefferson, but it was Jefferson who "bought" the election, not Burr, as Fleming reveals, and Jefferson then retained the power to injure Burr, the man who had practically assured his triumph in the first place. Spurned and betrayed by those for whom he had worked and supported, is it so unreasonable that Burr would turn his sights elsewhere to perfectly legitimate enterprises in the west? His intrigues with the British and French ministers can be seen as steps towards establishing possible future contacts were the United States to disintegrate, which Burr had good reason to believe might occur.In any case, these are all issues that Fleming does not quite deal with, but, then, "Duel" is primarily about the duel, and, as such, it is a monumental achievement.

Thomas Fleming's style of writing is approachable and clear. He does a wonderful job in explaining the political climate of the time. The book describes in great detail the underlying differences between the Federalist and Republican parties. The conflict between England, France, and Spain, the Louisiana Purchase, Thomas Jefferson and Virginia's political hegemony, increasing rumblings of New England's secession, and a corrupt US Commander in Chief all played a role in bringing the duel between Burr and Hamilton. Fleming also describes the days leading to and after the duel in touching detail. This is a heart breaking story. (While reading Duel I wondered what Shakespeare might have done with this drama.) My only mild criticism of the book is a chapter that describes what might have led Hamilton to accept Burr's challenge. Fleming declared that while Hamilton presented himself as a Christian, he had not truly accepted the tenants of Christianity - and he quoted a biblical story as evidence. This passage seemed oddly inappropriate. Also in this chapter, Fleming developed an unsettling ability to read the mind of Alexander Hamilton. But this brief chapter does nothing to dampen my overall enthusiasm for the book.I hope you enjoy it too.

I always hated history when growing up. Really dreaded it. We'll the other day I was in my inlaws apartment and there was this book so I picked it up for lack of anything to do. We'll I had to take it home. I wish history textbooks were written this way when I was in school. I highly recomend it