Hamilton: The Revolution

By: Lin-Manuel Miranda, Jeremy McCarter

Narrated by: Lin-Manuel Miranda, Mariska Hargitay

Length: 6 hrs and 2 mins

Publisher's Summary

From Tony Award-winning composer-lyricist-star Lin-Manuel Miranda comes a backstage pass to his groundbreaking hit musical, Hamilton.

Lin-Manuel Miranda's groundbreaking musical, Hamilton, is as revolutionary as its subject: the poor kid from the Caribbean who fought the British, defended the Constitution, and helped to found the United States.

Fusing hip-hop, pop, R&B and the best traditions of theater, this once-in-a-generation show broadens the sound of Broadway, reveals the storytelling power of rap and claims the origins of the United States for a diverse new generation.

Hamilton: The Revolution gives listeners an unprecedented view of both revolutions, from the only two writers able to provide it. Miranda, along with Jeremy McCarter, a cultural critic and theater artist who was involved in the project from its earliest stages - 'since before this was even a show', according to Miranda - traces its development from an improbable performance at the White House to its landmark opening night on Broadway six years later.

In addition Miranda has written more than 200 funny, revealing footnotes for his award-winning libretto, all of which are included here. Their account features exclusive looks into notebooks and emails; interviews with Questlove, Stephen Sondheim, leading political commentators, and more than 50 people involved with the production; and multiple appearances by President Obama himself.

The audiobook does more than tell the surprising story of how a Broadway musical became an international phenomenon: it demonstrates that America has always been renewed by the brash upstarts and brilliant outsiders, the men and women who don't throw away their shots.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying reference material will be available in your My Library section along with the audio.

http://download.audible.com/product_related_docs/BK_TWUK_001209.pdf

©2016 Lin-Manuel Miranda (P)2016 Hachette Audio UK

Dont throw away your shot!...of listening to this

Even though I am rather new to audiobooks, I'll have to say that this book is the best so far.
The interesting story of this phenomenal musical is told beautifully by Mariska Hargitay, but I do feel that readers were misled. I was led to believe that Lin would narrate most of the book, but it turned out it's only the notes at the end. While it was still enjoyable, it took away a bit of the performance in my opinion.

In review, I would recommend this book to any fan of the Hamilton musical, or just a history hungry listener that wants to hear how the treasury agent came to the stage several years later.

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

I'm satisfied

This is the ultimate back stage pass to one of the most compelling stories of modern time, expressively narrated by an ultimate Hamilton's fan this book certainly puts you in the room as it happens.
Then we hear from the man himself, the chaotic charm of creator Lin-Manuel it's a fantastic if frenetic bonus (and a mad dash to find and keep up with those revealing numbers).

As the book ends you're left in awe of the power of collaborative passion, the unyielding dedication of all those involved in birthing this unique narrative, along with numerous times even fate stepped in to ensure Hamilton An American Musical would live to get its shot, then go on to tell this inspiring story..

4 of 5 people found this review helpful

I will never be Satisfied...with this

This isn't a bad examination of the songs in Hamilton and there are lots of interesting insights. In particular, as someone who doesn't know much about hip hop, I was interested to learn about all the call outs and references to hip styles and artists that appear throughout the show.

The audiobook is accompanied by a PDF annotated Hamilton script, featuring all the songs and Lin Manuel Miranda's footnotes about them. In the second part of the audiobook, Lin narrates these footnotes, though I think most people would need to have the PDF open in front of them to see what he is talking about in each footnote, as no context is given. The PDF looks nice and features photographs of the show in performance.

I definitely don't regret buying it and would recommend it to other Hamilton fans. Unfortunately these types of books can sometimes become a bit fawning (Look what Lin did there, isn't he a genius?) which can be a bit irritating after a while (even if you do agree that he is a genius).

Paradoxically, as a Hamilton fan I also wished that the book could have been ten times as long, as I will never be able to get enough of this amazing show! Also, at 6 hours it's maybe a little short to spend an audible credit on, though I wouldn't want to spend £17 on it either.

5 of 7 people found this review helpful

brilliant

brilliant story who lives who dies who tells who will tell our story a very good question

Hamilton

It's profoundly hard to stop listening to this, I could only manage small breaks and binged the whole thing today. I love Hamilton, the first time I heard one of the songs they became utterly ingrained into my brain. I had to watch every video to do with this production, and had to go see the show. Which is funny, since I had never been interested in Broadway, but Hamilton is something special. I wish I could have seen the American production, but seeing the British show will forever be one of my favorite memories. I very much enjoyed listening to this book, I love hearing all the background information and how parts of the show came to be, how the people that are so perfect for their parts were found. The narration is fantastic, and I utterly loved Lin reading the notes at the end. It has been about three years since I first heard about the show and I still love hearing the music as much as I did the first time. It's something special.

AMAZING

I LOVE HAMILTON
THIS REALLY GAVE IT JUSTICE
loved it!!!
SO AMAZING
YOU MUST READ NOW!!

0 of 1 people found this review helpful