Reviews for Hamilton: The Revolution

by Lin-Manuel Miranda and Jeremy McCarter

Publishers Weekly
(c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved

The hip-hop musical Hamilton: The Revolution has earned its own biography, which highlights the obstacles, influences, and powerful moments from its development to its Broadway success. McCarter narrates the introduction (which he wrote), and one can hear the excitement and enthusiasm he still has for both the musical and his work with Miranda. Actress Hargitay, longtime star of NBC's Law & Order: SVU, covers the lion's share of this performance, and she does an astounding job. She captures the energy and enthusiasm of the various people quoted throughout the book, while capturing the emphasis and tone to draw out some of the more emotional moments. Miranda chimes in for the last hour, reading-and at times singing-footnotes on the libretto, without the actual context of the script, which will be confusing for listeners who do not have the print book to follow along. A Grand Central hardcover. (May) © Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.


Library Journal
(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

Based on the life of a Founding Father but overflowing with hip-hop and R&B music and concepts that resonate with contemporary audiences, the groundbreaking and wildly popular musical Hamilton has garnered praise from all corners. Miranda, the show's creator and star, and McCarter trace the origins and progress of the show from loose "mixtape" to Broadway production and cultural phenomenon. A deep dive into the world of conceiving, staging, and performing a live theater event, this work emphasizes the endless process of revision and improvement undertaken by Miranda and his "cabinet" of collaborators. Audiobook listeners will want to keep the cast album close as the narrative touches on the history and evolution of individual songs, as well as gives background on the creative team both behind the scenes and on the stage. The audio edition includes the full libretto with annotations by Miranda in addition to color photographs and other bonus material. The bulk of the narration is earnestly performed by Mariska Hargitay, with McCarter reading his introduction and Miranda reading (and sometimes singing) his own annotations. Verdict A must-have for Hamilton superfans and all public libraries.-Anna -Mickelsen, Springfield City Lib., MA © Copyright 2016. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.


School Library Journal
(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

This glorious, oversize testament to the multiple Tony Award-winning musical Hamilton is a joy to anyone who loves the sound track or who has been lucky enough to score tickets to the show. Miranda's annotations are in the margins of the lyrics, which are usually overlaid on full-spread photographs of the cast. He explains the many homages to rappers of his youth, as well as why he used literary devices, changed music tempos, and added fiction when Ron Chernow's biography couldn't fill in the gaps. Thirty-two essays offer teens even more background knowledge of how the show was created and often include lyrics that were cut from the final show. Through interviews with cast members and mentors, readers will be engrossed in the narrative and listening along to the sound track. The line "Immigrants: We get the job done," from "Yorktown (the World Turned Upside Down)," stirs rousing applause during performances, and the revolutionary twist of nonwhite actors portraying the Founding Fathers will be inspiring to young people. VERDICT An uplifting, gorgeous, diverse, and emotional libretto that will be performed in high schools as soon as the rights are available, and a must-have for initiated and uninitiated alike.-Sarah Hill, Lake Land College, Mattoon, IL © Copyright 2016. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.


Library Journal
(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

With 16 Tony nominations and sold-out shows through 2016, Hamilton is the year's hottest ticket. Whether it's a fan who has gotten into the sacred room where it happens or one simply blasting the cast recording on repeat, all will be eager to pore over this brilliant behind-the-scenes tome. Composer and show star Miranda joins forces with critic and former Public Theater producer McCarter to deliver the details of this theatrical gem, from its humble beginnings to its extraordinary social impact. Beautifully constructed, the book looks as if it could have easily come from the real Alexander Hamilton's library; its rough-cut pages are filled with gorgeous photos and the play's full libretto. Readers will devour the backstage stories from the crew and original cast, which offer touching personal journeys and deeper insight into the play's beloved characters. Miranda's footnotes provide the biggest draw. A treasure trove of information, they highlight his writing process, musical influences (ranging from show tunes to pop to hip-hop), amusing anecdotes, and so much more. Verdict This is required reading for anyone interested in theater production, culture and diversity, or American history. Highly recommended. [See Prepub Alert, 10/12/15.]-Kate DiGirolomo, Library Journal © Copyright 2016. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.


School Library Journal
(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

This glorious, oversize testament to the uplifting, gorgeous, diverse, multiple Tony Award-winning musical Hamilton is a must-have for initiated and new listeners alike. (http://ow.ly/JDdI305MEsh)-Sarah Hill, Lake Land College, Mattoon, IL © Copyright 2016. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.