Hamilton: The Revolution

BUY THIS BOOK! It's worth every penny! I bought it for my daughter for Christmas! She loves it! (and so do I) The quality is excellent and it looks like an "old" book. There are some pages that are longer then the others. The behind the scenes pictures, extras and things that were left out of the musical are all in the book. I highly recommend it to everyone who loves the musical Hamilton! You or the person you buy it for will not be disappointed.

This is THE one stop for every piece of information you've ever wondered about Hamilton. Especially useful is a complete set of lyrics, which come at you so fast in the play/film it's hard to keep track of what's going on. Combine in relevant historical tidbits of the era, and the development from its initial idea to final touring version, the tale will unfold for you. Fascinating, and probably the only book about Hamilton anyone would ever need.

*Originally published on book blog Will Read for Feels. With the Tony Awards scheduled for today, I couldn’t not pay tribute even in some small way to my current obsession, Hamilton: An American Musical. I can’t count the number of times I’ve listened to the soundtrack in the past week or two, but it was only this week that I started reading the book for it, Hamilton: The Revolution, written by Lin-Manuel Miranda (the genius behind the book, lyrics, music, and titular performance for Hamilton) and his co-author Jeremy McCarter (who is also director of the Public Theater, where Hamilton was staged before moving to Broadway). By the time I read this, the lyrics to the songs were nothing new to me, but I really appreciated the annotations by Miranda (and a few from McCarter), as they let me look at each song in a new light, and I found myself experiencing the feels all over again, and magnified at that, thanks to the context provided by those notes. It took me three days to read this book because I kept stopping to listen and re-listen to the songs. And that’s not all. Between the annotated song lyric pages were chapters that explored Lin-Manuel Miranda’s writing and development process as well as all the work everyone involved in the production, from the director to the choreographer to the actors and more. Little details about what each person brought to make the story come alive onstage but also in terms of the words and music. Things like personal triumphs and tragedies and how they affected those who helped put the musical together made each song, each photo mean so much more, even though the lyrics held a rainbow of feels even without that additional information. Being over 8,000 miles from New York, I haven’t had a chance to see the Broadway musical myself, nor will I have one in the immediate future, but somehow the descriptions of the direction and choreography really helped me solidify it in my imagination. And some of the details the authors shared about the decisions made for the choreography were things I felt would enrich the understanding and appreciation of someone who did see the musical, maybe even multiple times. The overall result? The Hamilton soundtrack alone still chokes me up even after I’ve listened to it dozens of times, but several parts of Hamilton: The Revolution had me blubbering all over again, while others had me giggling or hugging myself in what we Filipinos call kilig (romantic sort of thrill). And there were enough notes on Miranda’s efforts to keep things historically accurate and the instances in which he departed from the facts that I’m now determined to read the book that inspired the musical, Alexander Hamilton, the Founding Father’s biography written by Ron Chernow, as well as his Washington: A Life. I’ve also decided to rewatch a bio-documentary I watched a few years ago, called The Real George Washington, as well as HBO’s John Adams miniseries. Which is more American history than I’ve had since the seventh grade! In the end, Hamilton: The Revolution helped me understand that this musical tells of at least three revolutions: the historical one fought between the Americans and the Brits, for sure, but also the revolution in thought that created the United States of America and that still exists in and helps define it today. Thirdly, the revolutionary nature of this play in music and in theater, and the way it plays notes to a song we won’t hear the whole of for years to come. And that song? That same revolution in thought and burning ambition that keeps people like Hamilton inspiring people of today.

To read this book or see the show or listen to the music? The decision is a difficult one, but fortunately, is one we don't have to make. The answer, then, becomes, "All three!" This is one of those rare situations where each enhances the other. First, I listened to the album to familiarize myself with the songs before seeing the show on Broadway. I immediately realized that the album was not comprised of "songs," but it told a story. I then read this book. I then could appreciate more what the story was telling us--what was being said between the lines, and how it made me think about choices that we make as we pontificate about life's major decision points, what we believe in, and how we communicate that to others. The book is really three books in one, beautifully interwoven into a masterpiece. Between nearly every song, Lin-Manuel Miranda writes a chapter describing something related to the upcoming song. It could be about what was going through his head; it could be about a different song that he was thinking about at that time; or it could be about an actor or production person who had something to do with the song. In all cases, the story was compelling. In other words, in between all the stories that manifested themselves as songs, there were more stories! Then came the libretto, presenting the words from each song (plus one that wasn't on the album). I listened to them and found so much more meaning in them than I had received by just listening to the album. Some of this came from the chapter of narrative that preceded each, but much came from just being able to appreciate the subtleties and genius of each word -- yes, I had the feeling that each word was chosen for a reason, and taking the time to understand that reason made the song that much more meaningful. The third part of the book includes notes in the margins on each page. These explain either what was going through Miranda's head when he was writing that line, or where the idea for the line came from, or what he was considering instead of that line, or just an interesting anecdote related to that line. What I did for the fully immersive experience with the book was to read a chapter until I came to a song; I then listened to the song while reading its libretto in the book; and then, while the song was fresh in my head, I went back and read the notes for that song. Yes, it takes a lot longer to read the book this way, but it also makes it amazingly enjoyable. What it also does is enhance the show "beyond words," turning it into a total experience. And for the gift that keeps on giving, if you are lucky enough to see the show for a second time, I recommend you read the book again. I've done this only twice (so far), but I keep finding more each time I go through the cycle, and now, should the show and I happen to be in the same city at the same time, would do it all again. In other words, while the book, show and music are phenomenal, the whole (show + book + music) is far greater than the sum of its parts. One more thing about the book. It is rare that an author is able to capture so perfectly what was in his/her head when creating a masterpiece, putting it into words to share with others. Miranda has done that in exemplary fashion. Usually, one is either a genius at 'creating' or at 'describing how and why a work was created,' but not both. I have seen that done only one other time, by Stephen Sondheim in his duology, Finishing the Hat: Collected Lyrics (1954-1981) with Attendant Comments, Principles, Heresies, Grudges, Whines and Anecdotes and Look, I Made a Hat: Collected Lyrics (1981-2011) with Attendant Comments, Amplifications, Dogmas, Harangues, Digressions, Anecdotes and Miscellany -- the difference here is that Miranda's work was about one play, while Sondheim's was about all his plays. Miranda is a true genius, and this book enables us not only to realize it, but allows him to share it with us for a short while.

Beyond the amazingness that is the stage musical, there is the story behind it and its creation. As improbably as Alexander Hamilton's life was, the making of this musical is just as much so, born out of the random genius of Lin-Manuel Miranda and fostered by the creative energy of the amazing team he has around him, all brought to life by the original cast. This book captures this moment in theater and pop-culture history, that intersection of the two that so rarely happens anymore. Jeremy McCarter's journalistic style gives an intimate glimpse at the "room where it happened", giving fans snippets of all aspects of the "Hamilton" creation, from the small stories, such as the development of the sound system that makes the show so dynamic when you see it in person, to the even heartbreaking moments of struggle and loss for some involved in the production. Each story is tied, in its own way, to the very songs that make up the musical, their lyrics included for those of us who like to rap along with Lin and Daveed. Lin's personal notes are brilliant and often nerdy and funny, and show us how his crazy brain works as he is word-smithing some of these ridiculously complicated and smart lyrics. Though not as fully annotated as the Genius pages, these are Lin's notes and thoughts, and it's wonderful to see inside his skull and watch him write, re-write, scrap, start over, and write and revise again, and some of the changes that were made even between the Public and the Richard Rodgers are interesting indeed (though I still regret he cut up "The Adam's Administration" like he did, as that is the most cutting set down of the entire play and brilliant). The book itself is well made as well, with the look of a colonial broad page, done with amazing photos of the production, and lovely black-and-white ones done with 19th century lenses to add flavor. The ragged edges give it a feeling of something older than it is, and it makes the book feel like it is a part of the "Hamilton" experience itself: a version of our Revolutionary history told by these people, which is what it is. I was lucky enough to see the play in June before the departure of many in the main caste, (and would love to go back and see it with Javier Munoz), so this was a special treat. If you are a fan of the play get this book. It is a wonderful compliment. And if you have yet to see it, when it comes to you, go out and see it! You won't regret it. It's really every bit as good as they hype says it is.

Got this for a friend and she absolutely loved it! It has everything you need to know about Hamilton.

Do I really need to say anything ... its Hamilton!!! It's absolutely beautiful, great pictures, lyrics, etc . Have college student who is obsessed with all things Hamilton and gets to see Leslie Odum in person at college in January. Theater kids getting intimate show. Guess what book she's bringing for him to sign! GET THIS BOOK if you are/have a Hamilton fan.

Let's just accept it...when Lin-Manuel Miranda does something, he does it right, all the way, and maybe better than anyone else. I'm fortunate enough to have seen "Hamilton" twice. I've read the Chernow biography, listened to the cast recording non-stop (ha) since September, and been an avid follower of Lin's tweets, Facebook posts, interviews, #Ham4Ham shows, and Genius annotations. I've been a musical theatre geek for five decades and have never felt this excitement about any show (with the possible exception of A Chorus Line). So when I heard months ago that Lin and former New York magazine drama critic Jeremy McCarter were putting together a book about the creation of "Hamilton," I pre-ordered my copy and started counting the days. Now it's here, and.... wow. Just wow. Given the show's deserved status as a cultural phenomenon that will be playing to sold-out houses for years, it would have been easy to just throw together a "behind-the-scenes" book with a few interviews, toss in some publicity stills, and have a guaranteed best-seller. This "Hamiltome" couldn't be further from that. Among other delights, it includes: the full libretto of this sung-through (and rapped-through) show, with extensive annotations from LMM that give new insights, meaning, and historical context to the words that you might already know by heart; more than 30 essays about the cast members, the production team, the creative process, and the facts of Hamilton's life; copies of relevant historical documents referenced in the show; pages from LMM's notebooks with early drafts and outlines; and a stunningly beautiful array of production photographs, cast portraits, and backstage candids. And all of this is thoughtfully organized and packaged in a beautifully bound volume with ivory deckle-edged paper - a book like books used to be. (Trust me, this is one book you don't want to read on Kindle; it's actually a sensory experience to hold it and turn the pages.) As McCarter notes in the Introduction, the title "Hamilton - The Revolution" has two meanings. There is the American Revolution that is brought to life in this show, and there is the revolution of the show itself - "a musical that changes the way that Broadway sounds, that alters who gets to tell the story of our founding, that lets us glimpse the new, more diverse America rushing our way." Do what you can to see "Hamilton," either on Broadway or when it comes to your town. It's unlike anything else. Until then, this book and the original cast recording will get you as close as possible to an orchestra seat at the Richard Rodgers Theatre.

Si eres fan del musical Hamilton, este libro te va a encantar. La edición es preciosa, toda la cubierta asemeja a un libro antiguo, el lomo es pura fantasía. En cuanto al contenido, una absoluta maravilla, todo a color, con toda la historia detrás del desarrollo del musical, las letras de las canciones y numerosas anotaciones de Lin-Manuel Miranda. Sencillamente precioso.

Love the show, love the book! So entertaining to read, you get insights from the show and the creative process as well as Lin’s own notes on the songs and they’re meanings, he explains why he did this here and what that verse is referencing to. Great read, loved it!

If you are, like million others, in a loop where you just can’t get this amazing piece of art out of your mind, then this book is for you! I had purchased the book under the influence that this will be straightforward story of how the musical came to life but it’s so much more than that. It lets you in the room where it all happened. Every little beat that we love, every line that got stuck in our head for days, this book will give you their origination story and it will blow us all away! If the team Hamilton embarked on a mission to make something which at the end does nothing more but makes us smile, they did it with the musical and did it with this book too! I could hear the songs in my head as I flipped through the pages and have smiled and cried almost as much as I did when I am watching the movie! Again, I will say since the book is slightly expensive, invest in it only if you are helplessly in love with this musical and want to know more about the geniuses that created this piece of art. For a non-fan, the book may seem a little boring!

Magnifique livre avec des photos superbes ! Je le conseille pour tous les fan de Hamilton ;)

The perfect gift for my daughter, in her "Hamilton phase". Contains lots of information regarding the show, the making of it, lyrics to all the songs, and her favourite part - behind the scenes photos. High quality print, hard cover, and pages are made of a very good quality paper. Overall my daughter was extremely happy with her gift, and we both think that it is a perfect option for all "Hamilton" fans. Highly recommended.