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To start off his book, Thomas Fleming illustrates the setting where Alexander Hamilton resided. He explains in detail how his country estate looked. Fleming provides the descriptions of the “bone-chilling rain” and the “gray sky” to create a negative notion. It will be more influential since this is one of the first sentences the readers will read. The audience, who may not know much about the duel between Hamilton and Burr, will likely be swayed by this early description, causing them to think of the book in a negative fashion. This description of the setting sets up the book for many in the audience who are not informed in detail about the story of Hamilton and Burr.

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Fleming decides to introduce Hamilton, one of the main characters, at the beginning of his book before delving into any specifics. He uses imagery to paint an accurate picture of how Hamilton looks, giving a detailed profile of his head as well as his height. His detailed imagery provides an illustration of Hamilton, potentially helping those who do not know much about him. Fleming further goes on to correct the misconception of Hamilton being short, explaining that in reality, his height "was an average height in his era" (3). By starting with descriptions of the main characters, Fleming helps his audience better understand the characters and plot of his book.

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Fleming examines Hamilton's reason for declining a deal with Robert Troup, providing the special term of "fame" which "explained much of Hamilton's life" (18). Hamilton based many of his decisions, including his choice to reject Troup, on improving his popularity. He explains how fame is the motive behind Hamilton's complicated life although Hamilton stated that the rationale behind his decisions was his obligation to "render service" (18). Fleming used this special term to interpret Hamilton's obligation in modern terms, helping his readers understand Hamilton's true intentions. His explanation also helps the audience, especially those who don't know much about Hamilton and his goals, comprehend his mindset when it came to making decisions.

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Fleming reveals how Hamilton is regaining political success after facing many defeats from his opponents. He provides a juxtaposition, contrasting "losses and disappointments" with "hope--and combative juices" (30). Although Hamilton had a long losing streak, he realized that his opportunity could appear soon. Fleming utilizes opposing words to emphasize the complexity of emotions Hamilton is feelings due to the ups and downs of his campaigning. The oxymoron also allows the audience to understand how much of a burden Hamilton is under and that he continues to stay optimistic. Fleming further explains how Hamilton's body and will were deteriorating, but "hope--and combative juices" energized him (30). Overall, the oxymoron contrasts Hamilton's different moods, educating the audience on how Hamilton felt when overcoming obstacles.

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Fleming illustrates the hostile relationship between John Adams and Hamilton. In order to emphasize the severity of their antagonism, Fleming employs a metaphor, explaining how Adams' "consuming hatred . . . would explode in conversation" and even corresponds "with volcanic irregularity" (68-69). Fleming's metaphor helps the audience understand how extreme the conflict between Adams and Hamilton is. To further guide readers, he provides a direct comparison with "volcanic irregularity" which some readers may be familiar with, helping them understand Adams' loathing (69). Fleming goes on to explain that Hamilton ruined Adams' presidency, and later his campaign, which are what led to the bitterness between the two.

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When Fleming is praising Aaron Burr's leadership skills and his ability to get hundreds of voters to back him, he provides the reader with a simile, stating that Burr "was 'as . . . superior to the Hambletonians [sic] as a man is to a boy'" (90). Burr is an excellent leader and he had the potential to unite thousands of people under his rule. To reveal how effective of a general he was, Fleming uses a simile, comparing Burr to the superiority a man has over a boy. Since there may be many readers who do not understand the Hambletonian reference, Fleming supplies a second comparison that most readers would be able to comprehend. The power a man has compared to a boy is exponentially higher, suggesting that Burr was an extremely proficient leader and organizer.

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Fleming uses alliteration to illustrate the attitude of President Thomas Jefferson towards the actions of the vice president. He uses alliteration with the words "libels and lies," revealing that the president is downplaying the accusations about the vice president and is not taking them seriously as he believes that they are false (127). The alliteration provides emphasis on the president's view, helping the audience realize that the president is unbothered by the assertions as they are like a "tissue of libels and lies" (127). Without the use of alliteration, the audience could have misinterpreted the lack of concern the president is displaying or the extent to which the president expressed no concern.

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Fleming debates the purity of the president and vice president through an examination of their efforts of attempting to convince Hamilton to support them. He gives reasoning as to how the president drew in Hamilton, asserting that it suggests “a certain purity on the vice president’s part” (137). After stating the two sides of the opposing views, Fleming provides the reader with rhetorical questions, urging the reader to question who is in the right considering their complex situation. The rhetorical questions help guide readers in the right direction, especially members of the audience who may not understand how to address the situation that Hamilton is in

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Fleming is illustrating the relationship between Burr and Jefferson after Burr had faced a major defeat. His defeat was a result of the president believing in the libels against Burr. To interpret this situation, Fleming used an idiom, calling Jefferson and Burr “two sides of the same coin” (155). Although Jefferson and Burr are opponents, they used similar approaches for gaining political support. This idiom provides another way to view their situation as there may be many in the audience who do not understand their conflict. However, they may be able to understand the idiom that Fleming uses. Overall, Fleming uses an idiom to engage with readers and help the audience understand the similarities and differences between Jefferson and Burr.

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Fleming is describing General Schuyler after he faced many obstacles including the death of his wife and daughter. Using a metaphor, Fleming explains how Schuyler transformed from having a “commanding presence” to being a “ghost” (166). This description of Schuyler exemplifies the severity of how heartbroken he is over his family members’ deaths. Their deaths resulted in him losing his leadership skills and authoritative powers. The metaphor helps the audience, who may not know much about Schuyler, understand the pain he felt and how he deteriorated into a “ghost” (166). Many readers understand the characteristics of a ghost and the negative connotation that comes with it.

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Fleming explains the different views on Hamilton’s propositions that he brung up during the Constitutional Convention including presidency for life. He goes on to explain how others formed their own interpretations of his concepts. He uses alliteration to reveal that politicians molded the truth “for their pleasure and profit” (185). Fleming’s use of alliteration emphasizes the true motives of politicians. Some members of the audience may have misunderstood the motivation behind politicians in the 1800’s, so this emphasis helps readers understand that politicians are not who they seem to be. Without the emphasis, it might be unclear as to why the politicians molded Hamilton’s ideas to contrast with the truth.

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During the debates going on against Burr, Fleming explains how Cheetham argued against Burr and those who were supporting him. Fleming uses personification to illustrate the severity of Cheetham’s words, stating that they are “some of his heaviest verbal artillery” (211). This personification reveals that he spoke extremely harsh towards the opposing party. The audience may not have completely understood how serious Cheetham was in his arguments without the personification Fleming used. Furthermore, the personification helps the readers understand how invested Cheetham was in the political battle, because if he was not as invested as he was, he would not have used his “heaviest . . . artillery” (211).

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Fleming illustrates the widespread effects that the declaration of war had. Using a metaphor, he explains how “the declaration of war has sent shock waves of panic” (239). The idea of war was a highly controversial topic, and now that war has been confirmed, many groups including “Addington’s government” were struck by fear (239). The metaphor could help readers who might not have understood the emotional aspect of war realize the mental impacts. Furthermore, the metaphor suggests that the reason for anxiety filling the minds of those who were involved was because this was a war that they were not ready for. Ultimately, the metaphor helps the audience comprehend the reasons and causes for the widespread panic.

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While talking about the war the world is in, Fleming brings up different elements that surrounded the conflict going on. He explains how “common sense was as scarce as traditional diplomacy in Washington, D.C.” (249). The simile reveals how many folly decisions were being made, comparing the situation to “traditional diplomacy in Washington, D.C.,” even though these decisions could have major impacts on the war (249). The simile helps the audience understand the lack of rationale within the leadership, using Washington, D.C. as an example. Many members of the audience likely know about Washington, D.C. denoting that the simile is effective.

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Fleming talks about how Burr’s political power is deteriorating due to the polls. He then uses a rhetorical question, asking “what is going on” (261)? It is mysterious as to why Burr is suddenly losing power. For this reason, Fleming asks the rhetorical question, hoping the reader follows his prompt. The question urges the reader to think about Burr’s problematic situation, coming up with reasons for his decline using context clues. Fleming’s questions guide the reader’s thinking and helps them further engage with the book. Fleming ultamitely answers the question later on, but in the mean time, the reader is engaged, trying to figure out the answer.

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Fleming explains the exchanges between Hamilton and Burr, illustrating their mostly negative discussions. Fleming explains how “General Hamilton had simply retired his refusal to reply” (293). Fleming employs alliteration to emphasize that Hamilton has given in, not desiring to communicate anymore. The alliteration in the words “retired,” “refusal,” and “reply” reveals how he does not want to reply back to Burr. However, for audience members who do not truly understand the relationship between the two, the alliteration provides emphasis, allowing the readers to focus on the details, which in this case, characterize Hamilton’s fragile state: Hamilton is tired and wants to “retire” (293).

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Getting closer to the duel, Fleming examines Burr’s thought process. He creates suspense by explaining how Burr’s “decision to challenge General Hamilton and use his apology—or his corpse—as a stepping stone,” revealing that Burr is planning on going all in (309). He either wants an apology from a live Hamilton or he wants a dead Hamilton. This suspense lures the readers in, engaging them in the duel that is about to occur. Without the suspense, readers may fall bored during the end of the story, especially because the book becomes more factual during duel, taking away from story. This could result in them not paying attention to the details of the story.

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Before the duel between Hamilton and Burr, Fleming illustrates the setting. He explains how “the night was hot and muggy—typical New York weather for July” (321). This simple explanation makes the day seem like any other normal day. Although the readers might assume that the day of the duel would be more detailed and exaggerated, Fleming described the New York scene in simplicity. The illustration of the setting implies to readers that the day of the duel was just an average day. The setting also allows the readers to imagine themselves in the places of Hamilton and Burr, helping readers better engage with the book.

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Fleming, after the duel between Hamilton and Burr which ultimately resulted in Hamilton’s death, uses a litote to focus on the positives of Hamilton. He revealed that “certainly no one, not even an unbeliever, could read it without deep sympathy fore the fallen General” (335). Although Hamilton passed away, Fleming described him in a positive way, trying to lighten the stressful situation. The litote could also help the audience, who might not have known about the impact of Hamilton’s death, understand the emotional impact he imprinted on many as well as the political influence he had. Overall, the litote expresses Hamilton in a favorable light, even though he ended up dying after the duel.

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In the Afterward section, Fleming reveals the dark future of Burr. He explained how Burr “was a spent man, depressed, morose, embittered” (395). He provides multiple deeply negative words, expressing the severity of Burr’s metal situation. The negative diction allows readers to imagine the pain Burr is in. Although Burr won the duel against Hamilton, he fell into a depressive state because he ultimately failed his personal goals. If Fleming didn’t provide the reader with the negative diction to describe Burr, the audience may have misunderstood the severity of situation, thinking that he is better off than he really was. In fact, he was incredibly close to suicide, further proving his fragile mind.