My Dear Hamilton: A Novel of Eliza Schuyler Hamilton by Stephanie Dray and Laura Kamoie, is an epic story written in the voice of Alexander Hamilton’s wife.

The novel covers the period of 1777 through 1837. Elizabeth Schuyler, the daughter of a general, grows up in colonial North America during the American Revolution. When she meets a young officer, Alexander Hamilton, she’s captivated by his charisma and brilliance and falls in love despite his perceived shameful bastard birth and the uncertainties of war.

Elizabeth, or Eliza, as she prefers to be called, finds herself in the thick of war, ugly politics, even scandal. Hamilton is revered by many, but also has powerful political enemies. The Hamiltons joyfully celebrate the inauguration of George Washington, the nation’s first president. The two main political parties of the day are the Federalists, President Washington’s party, created largely by Alexander Hamilton, and the rival Republican party, formed by Thomas Jefferson and James Madison.

The Hamiltons have several children and Eliza works hard as a wife and mother. Although many in high office have slaves, the Hamiltons firmly believe in the concept of the Constitution, that all men are created equal, applies to all, including slaves and women. They believe slavery is cruel, a sin against God, and a betrayal to the principles of the revolution. Eliza not only makes due with their meager finances, she helps her husband with his speeches and social obligations. They have a loving and supportive marriage.

When a sex scandal encroaches her own home, Eliza struggles through heartbreak and betrayal to find forgiveness. She is a strong woman, a woman of passion and principles. Eliza finds the strength to face the humiliation, the gossip mongers, the cruel newspaper accusations. Eliza is an inspiration, an American legacy in her own right.

My Dear Hamilton is a large volume—672 pages—that held my fascinated attention throughout. I learned so much about the attitudes and conditions of our nation’s early years. Alexander Hamilton was a remarkable man. He fought and helped win a war, raising to the rank of general. He was instrumental in building a federal government. He created a coast guard, a national bank, and devised a scheme of taxation that held the states together. He was brilliant, but flawed, as Eliza was to learn. I loved reading about our country’s early days and I appreciate even more what it took to establish our great nation.