This year, the world’s been turned upside down by the hit musical “Hamilton.” Like many, we’ve fallen into what we’ve begun to affectionately call “a Hamil-hole”: blasting the soundtrack, searching for interviews, and sharing the #Ham4Ham videos. But when you’re going nonstop like this, what comes next? Reading, of course! Whether you’ve got tickets or not, here’s a list of required reading that will leave you—wait for it—satisfied.
13 Books to Help You Accept the Fact That You Can’t Get Hamilton Tickets
Hamilton
When this gorgeous companion book, dubbed “the Hamiltome,” hit shelves earlier this spring, it became the most coveted piece of the experience, next to a ticket to the show itself. Containing the show’s full libretto, annotated by Lin-Manuel Miranda, and profiles of the actors and stories behind the Pulitzer-winning phenomenon, it’s an enlightening and inspiring read.
Hamilton
When this gorgeous companion book, dubbed “the Hamiltome,” hit shelves earlier this spring, it became the most coveted piece of the experience, next to a ticket to the show itself. Containing the show’s full libretto, annotated by Lin-Manuel Miranda, and profiles of the actors and stories behind the Pulitzer-winning phenomenon, it’s an enlightening and inspiring read.
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Ladies of Liberty
If there’s one thing we’ve learned from “Hamilton,” it’s that the women of the revolution were every bit as influential and intelligent as their male counterparts. Cokie Roberts brings to life the everyday lives and extraordinary accomplishments of the founding mothers, including Abigail Adams, Dolley Madison, and Eliza Schuyler Hamilton herself.
Ladies of Liberty
If there’s one thing we’ve learned from “Hamilton,” it’s that the women of the revolution were every bit as influential and intelligent as their male counterparts. Cokie Roberts brings to life the everyday lives and extraordinary accomplishments of the founding mothers, including Abigail Adams, Dolley Madison, and Eliza Schuyler Hamilton herself.
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Burr
Gore Vidal examines the early years of our nation through the eyes of Aaron Burr, who (spoiler alert!) killed his nemesis, Hamilton, in a duel in 1804. This fictional retelling of Burr’s later years follows the former vice president as he comes to terms with his past by enlisting a young journalist to tell his life story.
Burr
Gore Vidal examines the early years of our nation through the eyes of Aaron Burr, who (spoiler alert!) killed his nemesis, Hamilton, in a duel in 1804. This fictional retelling of Burr’s later years follows the former vice president as he comes to terms with his past by enlisting a young journalist to tell his life story.
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The Glorious Cause
Set amongst the battles and struggles of Washington’s army (including his close advisors, Hamilton and Lafayette), this masterful novel highlights some of the most iconic moments of the American rebellion.
The Glorious Cause
Set amongst the battles and struggles of Washington’s army (including his close advisors, Hamilton and Lafayette), this masterful novel highlights some of the most iconic moments of the American rebellion.
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Revolutionary
Based on the true story of America’s first female soldier, Deborah Sampson Gannett, Alex Myers’s novel examines the role of gender and patriotism during the Revolution. Deborah, a fierce and fearless young woman, is tired of the oppression she feels in colonial society—so she cuts her hair, binds her chest, and enlists in the Continental Army.
Revolutionary
This fascinating novel follows a fierce-tempered young woman so determined to take up arms against the British that she enlists as a man. This is the story of remarkable courage, hope, and fear that shaped her odyssey.
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Thomas Jefferson
Though they disagreed on a number of things during their years shaping our nation, Alexander Hamilton and Thomas Jefferson had one thing in common: a profound love of their country. This bestselling biography reveals the complex and curious man behind the Declaration of Independence and the Louisiana Purchase.
Thomas Jefferson
Though they disagreed on a number of things during their years shaping our nation, Alexander Hamilton and Thomas Jefferson had one thing in common: a profound love of their country. This bestselling biography reveals the complex and curious man behind the Declaration of Independence and the Louisiana Purchase.
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The Quartet
In the years following the Revolutionary War, another unexpected conflict took place when Alexander Hamilton, George Washington, John Jay, and James Madison came together to discuss how our now-free country would actually run and survive through its federal government structure. Ellis’s retelling of the period is impeccably researched, dramatic, and enlightening.
The Quartet
In the years following the Revolutionary War, another unexpected conflict took place when Alexander Hamilton, George Washington, John Jay, and James Madison came together to discuss how our now-free country would actually run and survive through its federal government structure. Ellis’s retelling of the period is impeccably researched, dramatic, and enlightening.
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An Echo in the Bone
In book seven of the beloved Outlander series, Jamie and Claire find themselves in the midst of the American Revolution, worried not only for their lives but that they might encounter Jamie’s illegitimate son—a British officer—on the battlefield. With appearances by Benedict Arnold and Benjamin Franklin, this novel is sure to fill in any gaps left from “Hamilton.”
An Echo in the Bone
In book seven of the beloved Outlander series, Jamie and Claire find themselves in the midst of the American Revolution, worried not only for their lives but that they might encounter Jamie’s illegitimate son—a British officer—on the battlefield. With appearances by Benedict Arnold and Benjamin Franklin, this novel is sure to fill in any gaps left from “Hamilton.”
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War of Two
In the summer of 1804, two rivals met in New Jersey and pointed their guns at one another. What happened next changed the course of our nation’s history—but how did they get there? John Sedgwick investigates the longstanding conflict between Hamilton and Burr, from the early years of the Revolution to their later arguments over politics, ideologies, and egos.
War of Two
In the summer of 1804, two rivals met in New Jersey and pointed their guns at one another. What happened next changed the course of our nation’s history—but how did they get there? John Sedgwick investigates the longstanding conflict between Hamilton and Burr, from the early years of the Revolution to their later arguments over politics, ideologies, and egos.
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The Intimate Lives of the Founding Fathers
Like Cokie Roberts, Thomas Fleming closely examines the role of women in the lives of the men who shaped our nation, but adds a fascinating perspective on the effects of media and public attention on their marriages and relationships surrounding them.
The Intimate Lives of the Founding Fathers
Like Cokie Roberts, Thomas Fleming closely examines the role of women in the lives of the men who shaped our nation, but adds a fascinating perspective on the effects of media and public attention on their marriages and relationships surrounding them.
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The Traitor's Wife
Benedict Arnold doesn’t make an appearance in Miranda’s musical, but Allison Pataki’s novel reveals the complicated figure behind the hated American legend through the eyes of his Loyalist wife, Peggy Shippen, who watches her husband grow more and more disillusioned with the rebel cause.
The Traitor's Wife
This historical novel follows the love triangle that nearly destroyed America’s fight for freedom. It focuses on Peggy Shippen Arnold, the cunning wife of Benedict Arnold and the mastermind behind America’s most infamous—and misunderstood—act of treason.
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Alexander Hamilton
Lin-Manuel Miranda may have made musical history, but Ron Chernow’s biography started it all. With incredible detail and research, Chernow reveals much more than could fit in the two-hour show, shedding light on the dramatic and largely forgotten legacy of one of the greatest lives in American history.
Alexander Hamilton
In the first full-length biography of Alexander Hamilton in decades, Pulitzer Prize-winner Ron Chernow tells the fascinating story of a man who overcame all odds to shape, inspire, and scandalize the newborn America. Hamilton’s story will remind readers of our institutions and our heritage as Americans.
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Redcoat
It’s 1777, and Philadelphia has fallen to the British. On both sides, loyalties are being tested, and Sam Gilpin, a British soldier, has watched his brother die. Now he must choose between duty and desire as the American camp sets up at a place called Valley Forge.
Redcoat
It’s 1777, and Philadelphia has fallen to the British. On both sides, loyalties are being tested, and Sam Gilpin, a British soldier, has watched his brother die. Now he must choose between duty and desire as the American camp sets up at a place called Valley Forge.
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