Hamilton: The Revolution

How does an artist share the complex, daunting tale of “a bastard, orphan, son of a whore and a Scotsman, dropped in the middle of a forgotten Spot in the Caribbean by providence, impoverished, in squalor, Grow up to be a hero and a scholar”? Via a hip-hop musical of course!

The multi-talented

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Lin-Manuel Miranda, most famous for “In the Heights”, has knocked the socks off theatre-goers nationwide with, “Hamilton”. This book covers the making of the musical, the ENTIRE journey, the key cast members, all the songs and lyrics, and most importantly, Miranda’s footnotes throughout the lyrics. These footnotes are highly valuable to understand the subtleties in the creation addressing history, trade-off’s made, rap music inspirations, and Miranda’s personal story at the moments of the creation. The ‘entire’ journey part feels very thorough, if not too thorough, at times. But let’s face it, this creation has been in process since 2007/2008; 287 pages including photos and lyrics hardly seem adequate to cover this almost 10-year journey. Initially, I also thought the ‘history’ part felt thin as the text was addressing primarily the making of the musical. However, as I went along the book, I realized the lyrics is the history, albeit slightly tweaked which is explained in the footnotes when needed. Even though I would have appreciated more explicit devices to denote the ongoing history, this book is about as complete as it should be. Bravo.

To appreciate and to prepare for attending the performance, one can opt to read the original “Hamilton” book by Ron Chernow (which can be a bit TMI and potentially confusing as all live performances inevitably will make creative deviations) or one can listen to the soundtrack (which to me is cheating myself of that all-up wow factor of seeing and hearing for the first time). And so, I chose to read this, to know the background, the lyrics, ahead of the full-on experience of having rapid-fired words shot at me in the threatre. :)

The most relatable song will very likely be “My Shot”, where the subject immigrant working his way up proclaims, “I am not throwing away my shot!” Isn’t that what we all want, regardless of our background?

About the book itself, it’s beautiful! The pages are parchment paper colored to match the base color of all the costumes, the old timey sheared edges, and a scholarly book spine. I couldn’t put it down.

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Nope, not getting any less obsessed any time soon. Like the NPR documentary, the Hamiltome makes very clear that genius takes hard work and doesn’t start out with perfection; also that collaboration is fundamental to making the fruits of genius as tasty as they can be. I liked the idea of

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interpretation as an American pastime, a musical culture built on standards, “songs meant to be reworked endlessly,” no less than the concept of equality in the Declaration of Independence. Also experimentation, trying everything, as the way the musical was created and also as an American habit. (Unfortunately, there’s also the strain that Churchill identified when he said we’d always do the right thing, after trying everything else, which seems to predominate today.) Tidbits: in the choreography, Burr moves in straight lines “because he sees no options,” and Hamilton moves in arcs, “because he sees all possibilities.” Cut from Cabinet Battle #2 were lines about Angelica, cut for better transitioning to the next song but still awesome: Hamilton: “She’s never mentioned you.” Jefferson: “She’s not the type who shares./But since you’re so interested in foreign affairs …” Also, I’m now listening to the Cabinet Battle #3 demo about slavery, and it’s understandable why it was cut—it doesn’t move the story along, as Miranda says, because they didn’t do anything about slavery. Getting to the end, where the black first president meets the first black president, is particularly hard to read now that Trump has been elected, a repudiation by a too-influential minority of everything the musical offers.

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I can't wait to see the production—I'll be seeing it in Chicago at the end of March. Different cast, but I've heard good things about it. Once I've seen it, I may come back and adjust my rating.

I was expecting a summary or script, instead this was the story of how the Broadway musical came is be. Interesting, but not outstanding. I probably would have liked it better if I had had more realistic expectations.

The ONLY reason that this is not 5 stars for the audio book is because Lin's reading of his notes (and only the notes) made me get the print book so that I could reference the lyrics he was discussing. And what did I find? The print book is BEAUTIFUL! Expensive paper, gorgeous layout, and the

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PHOTOS! Also, the boo just cements what a weird theater/hip-hop crossover geek Lin is.

I am buying the print version of the book and it might make its way into some Christmas gifts this year.

To talk a bit about the audio book, Mariska Hargitay does an excellent job and the narration element really does add to the book's tone.

But really, READ (don't listen) to this book.

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Quick read/listen concerning the Broadway hit Hamilton, notes concerning the creation, production, and history of the musical.

An amazing look behind the scenes at one f the best new Broadway shows! I have become slowly obsessed with the musical Hamilton ever since i first picked up the cast recording. this book is a great way to immerse yourself in the complexities of the musical itself and what it actually took to get it

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onstage.

This might be as close as I ever get to seeing the original cast and its an amazing up-close look at it. This is full of great profiles of many of the main cast and a look a the support players. The pictures are amazing as well.

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The complete libretto for Hamilton annotated by Miranda and interspersed with essays on the creation, development, and reception of the musical from one of the show's producers. Worth picking up for any level of Hamilton fan whether you're in it for the behind-the-scenes details, photos of the cast

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during rehearsal and performance, to get a peek inside LMM's brain, or to finally figure out just what that lyric is that you haven't figure out after listening to the album umpteen times.

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Since I live a bit far from the Great White Way and it will probably be years before I actually get to see this show, I decided to listen to a mix of the audio book and the soundtrack. Luckily, the book is structured in a way that follows the soundtrack and provides background on the development of

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most of the music and the story. I would listen to a chapter, then listen to the related songs before going to the next chapter. This was a good experience and a good way to get to know this show that I'm certain to run into a lot down the road as a high school educator (see chapter 18 for a good explanation of why). The book provided a lot of interesting explanation on how a Broadway show gets created. While the book was a bit too self-reverential for me at times and uses the "it almost didn't happen" line a few too many times, it was still a good read. For those of you who will also need to wait years to experience Hamilton first-hand, I recommend this book alongside a first listen to the soundtrack.

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So you want to know why (for heaven's sake!!!) would someone write a hip-hop musical about Alexander Hamilton--really!! Well this book is the answer/answers. A collection of the development of this musical and the reason the major actors were selected. But it is more.... Beautiful pictures and all

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the words that are sung with fascinating footnotes. [Actually there is one section that is extra--not on the recording.] Can't get to the play, well this book along with a recording of the play will be an inspiring substitute.

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Absolute must-read for fans of the musical. This has all the background info you could ever want: essays on the creation of "Hamilton," profiles of the major players, the full libretto with Lin-Manuel Miranda's annotations (some of them very funny) ... the only people who won't enjoy this book are

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those who have never seen the play or heard the music. To which I say, don't be like Aaron Burr and wait for it -- go out and get it!

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The libretto of the hit Broadway musical, interspersed with essays on the making of the show and its impact on popular culture.

Discovering Hamilton has been one of the best things about 2016 for me, and this book does a great job of encapsulating and expanding upon the show. Worth the price for

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the photos and the lyrics, the essays make for a nice bonus. It's also a physically handsome volume. A must-have for Hamilfans.

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This is a book to savor. Not only does it contain the Broadway play's complete libretto, but it also holds full-page photos with scenes showing the original cast during performances. With those images and libretto, well placed chapters --twenty-two in all-- give the details into the process of how

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this award-winning play came into being. Yet, what I found I most appreciated were the libretto's accompanying side notes provided by it creator, Lin-Manuel Miranda, adding insight into his creative process. The reader gets the full picture of how Ron Chernow's biography on Alexander Hamilton inspired Lin Miranda, of when and where the play's creator took literary license (only a few places) from the historical facts, and of why at times Lin Miranda choose to cut some words, phases, and scenes from the production. This book holds wide appeal for theatre-goers and those who study theatre, or for Broadway musical fans, or history buffs, or music lovers of all stripes (not just rap and hip-hop fans). And especially for folks like me, who love experiencing wordplay that builds up layer by layer to tell a fascinating story.

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A spectacular work giving wonderful background to this wonderful musical.

Fascinating detail on the development of Lin-Manual Miranda's Hamilton.

This has a behind the scenes look at how the musical was made, who was involved (everyone from actors to producer to choreographer) and what they brought to the show, and notes on the songs. It's loaded with interesting facts about Alexander Hamilton himself, but also about the musical itself and

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the people who brought it to life. Visually it's a gorgeous book with nice heavy paper and lots of color photographs that illustrate everything in the story.

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I liked this book, but I can't say I enjoyed it. The pictures were beautiful, Lin's little notes were great to know what was going through his head when he was writing songs, it brought a lot of new insight into not only the musical, but to Hamilton's life as well. I just found myself losing

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interest about half way through. I'm not sure why. If you're a fan of history or the musical I would still recommend this book though. 3 out of 5 stars.

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Joy's review: Libretto, history of the play, bio of the principals, and anecdotes, all very well done, of course! All "Hamilton" fans need this book.

HAMILTON: THE REVOLUTION
Lin-Manual Miranda and Jeremy McCarter

MY RATING ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
PUBLISHER Grand Central Publishing
PUBLISHED April 12, 2016

Hamilton: The Revolution is an enlightening and elegant book which masterfully encapsulates the creation of the epic broadway show.

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SUMMARY
Hamilton: The Revolution traces the Broadway musical’s development from it’s conception and creation to production of a national phenomenon. It includes the complete libretto with footnotes, as well as interviews with creators, contributors and stars, explanatory narrative of significant decisions, reproductions of original Hamilton letters and memorabilia, and many production photos.

REVIEW
Cannot wait to get to the room where it happens. Reading this book was the last task I wanted to accomplish before going to see HAMILTON. I have read Chenow’s book, listened to the soundtrack, seen the television special, and now, have just completed Hamilton: The Revolution. This enlightening book masterfully encapsulates the development of Hamilton. It's a fabulous in-depth look at every major aspect of the show and exactly what makes the show so revolutionary. It is weighted with stories that get to the heart and soul of both the creators and the actors and the show itself. Not only is it a great book, but it's a beautiful book as well; one that you have to touch and to hold. The cover is magnificent, the paper quality is thick and textured, and the photographs are amazing. It’s a worthy addition to any Hamilton fan’s collection and it’s essential reading for anyone who has seen or plans to see the broadway show.

And now, I am off to Hamilton in the greatest city in the world!

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My obsession grows. Brilliance, start to finish; in front of, in the midst of, behind the scenes of - never enough. I want to crawl inside Lin-Manuel Miranda's mind and absorb the brilliance. I want to be in a room with Lin, Tommy, Andy, and the rest - just to be a shadow and listen and be amazed.

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This book provided a small version of just that. Love, love, love, love,.... if you know, you know.

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This is a non-fiction book about the making of a broadway musical, and it made me cry. Five stars. Would cry again.

The perfect complement to the cast recording, especially for those of us without easy access to Broadway. Covering the behind the scenes development from the first White House performance to opening night on Broadway, this book shows how a play develops and changes, and how it effects the people

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involved.

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A wonderful account of making the show Hamilton, with stories about the inspiration for the show and how the show came together, along with annotated lyrics for all the songs.

One of the most remarkable things about musical theatre is how profoundly it changes lives. I've read scripts and listened to soundtracks all my life, but I haven't read a story of how a show singularly redefined the genre since RENT was published (with the behind the scenes/libretto printed in

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faux duct tape binding). Hamilton is astonishing, and the story behind it all is just as incredible to experience. I had the distinct pleasure of both reading and listening to the Revolution, and it's definitely a treat to listen to Lin-Manuel Miranda read his footnotes to the libretto.

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