Aaron and Alexander
The Most Famous Duel in American History
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- $21.99
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- $21.99
Publisher Description
The most famous duel in American history dramatized by leading nonfiction picture book illustrator, Don Brown.
Aaron Burr and Alexander Hamilton were both fierce patriots during the Revolutionary War, but the politics of the young United States of America put them in constant conflict. Their extraordinary story of bitter fighting and resentment culminates in their famous duel. For young patriots who may not yet know the shocking and tragic story, Aaron and Alexander captures the spirit of these two great men who so valiantly served their country and ultimately allowed their pride and ego to cause their demise.
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
In a compact yet conversational narrative, Brown (Mack Made Movie) draws multiple parallels between statesmen Burr and Hamilton while highlighting the pointlessness of the duel that bound them. Both were orphaned at a young age, diligent students, short in stature (yet long on courage fighting in the Revolutionary War), and became lawyers in New York City. The cordiality between Burr and Hamilton ended when the two "found themselves in opposing political camps" as the new republic took shape. Brown's vagueness about their ideological differences leaves a blank that might perplex some readers, yet he makes their divergent political personas clear. Hotheaded Hamilton's smear campaign on crowd-pleaser Burr's character contributed to Burr's loss to Thomas Jefferson in the 1800 presidential election, and eventually led to the duel that cost Hamilton his life. Despite his relaxed storytelling, Brown's loose, minimally detailed watercolors convey the emotions that governed each man's personality, as well as the tumult of the nascent nation. Especially dramatic is a close-up image of both duelers pulling the trigger, with an almost audible "BANG!" appearing below each hand. Ages 5 7.
