THE MIND OF ALEXANDER HAMILTON

In this bicentennial year of celebration (among the findings is the doubt cast upon its being Hamilton's 200th birthday anniversary after all -- but rather his 202nd)- with biographies, critiques and appraisals in generous measure -- the only one concerned -- and not concerned a whit- is old Hamilton himself. To repair the loss, we now have an impressive, ably edited, judiciously abbreviated bundle of letters, speeches, papers, that speak to us in his own words -- the major omission being the already sufficiently ubiquitous Federalist. To those who are using the current ""bicentennial"" as an opportunity for restudying and re-evaluating Hamilton,- surely to some the bete noir of early American history, a collection such as this should be a blessing. It is handy, consecutive, revealing and contains enough for anyone short of serious scholarship. From Jefferson's biographer it carries weight.