Although he's perhaps best known for killing Alexander Hamilton in a duel, Aaron Burr is a man with several claims to fame--he was a hero of the Revolutionary War, was vice president of the United States under Jefferson, was tried for treason against the United States, and traveled the West and was "exiled" to Europe for a time. He also had a dramatic family life with his wife, who died of cancer, and his daughter, Theodosia, who was ultimately lost at sea. Another interesting tidbit is that he was an early supporter of women's education.
It seems to me that Aaron Burr is one of those iconic figures about whom most people (and most history textbooks) only have a limited, one-sided view of. I just recently read a darling, entertaining little book called
The Heartbreak of Aaron Burr by H. W. Brands, and I am absolutely fascinated by the depth and scope of Burr's dramatic and exciting life. I will definitely be studying him further, at some point.
This is a thread for all things regarding Aaron Burr, including reviews of books and other resources. Here's my review of
The Heartbreak of Aaron Burr:
Quote:
Like the cover design, this book is simple but sufficient, tasteful with a delicious historical flavor. This is not an extensive biography; rather, it's a snapshot. It focuses on the key events of Burr's life following the Revolutionary War. There is a strong emphasis on his relationship with his daughter, but several major political events are covered as well--Burr's vice presidency, his duel with Hamilton, his exploits in the West, his trial for treason, and his exile to Europe. It gives a good overview of Burr's postwar life and tells many stories that are entertaining in their own right.
In a similar fashion, the narrative of this book isn't extensively detailed. It's light enough to be pleasurable reading while still having an elegant, historical flavor. It gives enough details to paint a clear picture and tantalizes the reader into knowing more. In a way, this book serves as a good introduction to the man Aaron Burr, providing a complete picture without being overly detailed and agonizingly long.
In short, I loved this book. In less than 200 pages I had learned a wealth of delightful information about not only Burr but also the era and several other important figures. It was an enjoyable read which will no doubt lead me to further study the fascinating life of Aaron Burr.
Also worth noting is that about half of the book composed of direct quotations from Burr's letters and the like, giving a keen and accurate look into the man's mannerisms and also the dialog of the era. A real gem.
I might write another book about him or his daughter sometime. 
