"The America that Alexander Hamilton knew was largely agricultural and built on slave labor. In contrast, he envisioned something different: along with agriculture and small towns, he imagined a multiracial, urbanized, capitalistic America with a strong central government. A poor immigrant, Hamilton believed that such an America would be a land of opportunity for newcomers. His vision put him at odds with Thomas Jefferson, Aaron Burr, and others; they envisioned a pastoral America of small towns, where governments were local, states controlled their own destiny, and the federal government remained small and weak. Hamilton died in a duel, defending his ideas and his honor. Because of the systems Hamilton set up and the ideas he left, his vision won out. Here is the story that epitomizes the American dream--a poor immigrant who made good in America"--. Provided by publisher.

Includes bibliographical references (pages 198-199) and index (pages 201-203).

Prologue: The duel -- The orphan and a dreamer -- An immigrant -- A soldier -- Victory in love and war -- Striving for magnificence -- Capitalism: a new vision for America -- Due process of law -- Steps in the right direction -- The good ship Hamilton -- Secretary of the treasury -- Rivalry with Jefferson -- Rivalry with Burr -- Afterward -- Legacy -- Samples of Alexander -- Hamilton's Work -- Time line -- Endnotes -- Bibliography -- Acknowledgments -- Index.