In the United States, we often quote and honor Thomas Jefferson as one of the greatest “founding fathers” and thinkers in American history. Jefferson is cited as a champion of freedom, states rights, and a limited federal government. But we live in a Hamiltonian America.
I just started reading Thomas DiLorenzo’s latest book, Hamilton’s Curse. Between the time I ordered the book and when I received it, I kinda grew uninterested in it. But since I paid my $20 for it, I started the introduction hoping to find something to pique and keep my interest.
From page one I was hooked. This book is not a biography, but a historical and political-economical study regarding Hamilton’s ideals and ideological pursuits, with ample contrast to Jefferson’s own pursuits. In short, he was Jefferson’s Archenemy (as the subtitle of the book declares).
The reason I recommend the book because it seems to be a great overview of the two fundamental opposing ideas during the founding of the United States. On the one hand, Hamilton wanted a federal government with a president who was much like a king with veto powers that could not be overridden. On the other was Jefferson, who advocated for states rights and a very limited federal government.
And the book is easy to read.
