The Unknown Alexander Hamilton, by James Thomas Flexner

This topic compels students to delve into the complexity of individual human beings, their motivations and the impact their actions have on the larger societies in which they live. It also considers the political turbulence of the early republic and Washington’s efforts to launch a new nation. This is a tall order for secondary school students and requires patience, persistence and a thorough grounding in background information by the teacher. It must also be emphasized that a complex and brilliant man who died over two hundred years ago should not be judged primarily by contemporary standards of value.