“Jeff Wilser tells Hamilton’s extraordinary story in a way that’s both historically accurate and extremely entertaining—plus Wilser highlights the lessons that we can all learn from Hamilton’s example.” — Gretchen Rubin, New York Times bestselling author of The Happiness Project
The life—and lessons—of the Founding Father who mastered the arts of wit, war, and wealth, long before becoming the subject of Broadway’s Hamilton: An American Musical
Two centuries after his death, Alexander Hamilton is shining once more under the world’s spotlight—and we need him now more than ever.
Hamilton was a self-starter. Scrappy. Orphaned as a child, he came to America with nothing but a code of honor and a hunger to work. He then went on to help win the Revolutionary War and ratify the Constitution, create the country’s financial system, charm New York’s most eligible ladies, and land his face on our $10 bill. The ultimate underdog, he combined a fearless, independent spirit with a much-needed dose of American optimism.
For history buffs and pop-culture addicts alike, this mix of biography, humor, and advice offers a fresh take on a nearly forgotten Founding Father, and will spark a revolution in your own life.
Jeff Wilser is a nationally-syndicated writer whose work has appeared in outlets including The New York Times, GQ, Esquire, Glamour, Conde Nast Traveler, Cosmopolitan, New York magazine, Los Angeles Times, Chicago Tribune, The Miami Herald, The Baltimore Sun, Detroit Free Press, and The Huffington Post.
He has written about US history, health, politics, relationships, film, travel, pop culture, hashtags, monks, Game of Thrones, architecture, books, fashion, sneak attacks of World War II, the intersection of math and magic, Finland’s school system, and the shortcomings of General Custer. Jeff has appeared on CNN, BBC News, The View, CBS News, The Tyra Banks Show and other television and radio programs.
He is the author of several works of nonfiction including Becoming a Firefighter, Alexander Hamilton’s Guide to Life and The Book of Joe: The Life, Wit and (Sometimes Accidental) Wisdom of Joe Biden. He has also collaborated with many figures from business and entertainment on their memoirs, including Marc Ecko, the founder of Ecko Unltd and Complex media, whose book Unlabel: Selling You without Selling Out chronicles how the visionary entrepreneur turned $5,000 in cash into a billion dollar fashion and lifestyle empire.
Published by Crown/Three Rivers Press in 2016.
More praise for Alexander Hamilton’s Guide to Life:
“Hamilton packed a lot into his short life. Jeff Wilser unpacks it and shows us how to make use of it. Hamilton rode horses and wrote with a quill pen, but he grappled with work, money, love, guts, and doing the right thing. Read, enjoy, learn.” — Richard Brookhiser, author of Alexander Hamilton, American
"Hugely useful for everyone out there who is starting their own country—or just trying to be better at work, love, friendship and family."
— A.J. Jacobs, New York Times bestselling author of The Year of Living Biblically
"Jeff Wilser did not throw away his shot. He has written a remarkably fun and informative account of the brilliant ‘bastard’ from the Caribbean who created modern America. We still have much to learn from this remarkable founding father, and we owe Wilser a debt of gratitude for translating Hamilton’s ‘life lessons’ into such an insightful and entertaining book."
— Stephen Knott, co-author, Washington and Hamilton: The Alliance That Forged America
“Why see Hamilton when you can be Hamilton? Jeff Wilser's funny, smart take on the best President who was never President covers all the details the musical leaves out. Readers will learn how to "go to war for your promotion" "sprinkle in the charm" "close with a flourish" and other life lessons that prove every bit as useful today as they were 300 years ago.” — Jennifer Wright, author of It Ended Badly and Get Well Soon
The Good News About What's Bad for You . . . The Bad News About What's Good for You
An Amazon Best Book of the Month
“Wilser uses scientific studies, observations, and lots of humor to poke holes in some of the most popular health advice… The articles are short and punchy, and Wilser knows when to add humor… the timely topics and controversial conclusions will get readers thinking.” ― Booklist
Eat more steak, drink more whiskey, take more naps, lay off all the kale, and throw out your multivitamins and standing desk. In The Good News About What's Bad For You...The Bad News About What's Good for You author Jeff Wilser shares all the research that allows you to celebrate all your vices and stop feeling bad about not brushing your teeth after eating that extra slice of cake.
This book has two sides to it: one sharing all the good news, then the flip side contains all the bad news, making this the perfect gift that people will want to share and commiserate over with friends.
Told with wit, charm, and a large dose of humor, the author sprints through a broad range of topics-from coffee to green tea, tequila to Vitamin Water, to apologizing and swearing. Wilser sifts through each study to reveal everything from the merits of procrastination to the downsides of yoga.
In an age where so many people bend over backwards in pursuit of the most healthy and "pure" lifestyle, The Good News/The Bad News reminds readers to stop denying yourself pleasure and brings back to the tried-and-true golden rule of "everything in moderation.”
Published by Flatiron Books in December, 2015.
More praise for The Good News about What’s Bad for You:
"Anyone fascinated by health-related research studies and surprising factoids...will be amply entertained and informed by Wilser's lively compendium."
― Publishers Weekly
“A humorous anthology debunking contemporary wisdom about guilty pleasures and bad habits... Wilser delivers useful advice with cheerful good humor.” ― Kirkus Reviews
"Prepare to be shocked and to have your world flipped upside down. You'll never think the same way again about what we sadly accept as dogma about our vices. This book will change your life, guaranteed." ― Ben Greenfield, Fitness Coach, author of New York Times bestselling Beyond Training
"A much-needed dose of cheer to a season of 'bad' behavior." ― New York Post
"A breezy romp through recent medical research...A fun guide." ― The Telegraph
“The bad news about Jeff Wilser's new book is that you'll learn there are no quick and easy ways to lose weight, live longer, or have better sex. The good news is that you'll get smarter, and laugh out loud, while Wilser takes you on a hilarious tour of what the scientific evidence really says, and doesn't. Be careful: Laughing too much might rip a hole in your esophagus (see page 130).” ― Dr. Ivan Oransky, MD, Vice President and Global Editorial Director, MedPage Today, founder of RetractionWatch.com
“Though written in an off-hand, whimsical (and delightful) style, this book has a lot to teach us. It teaches us to be at least a little skeptical of unqualified health claims that come from scientists and (especially) journalists. Read this book and feel a little less guilty about many of your guilty pleasures.”
― Dr. Barry Schwartz, psychologist, author of Why We Work, Practical Wisdom, and The Paradox of Choice
"Wilser’s delivery is comically entertaining. The short segments keep the book moving swiftly and the collective information is fascinating. Studies are still out, but it’s probably safe to say this book is good for us all." ― Shelf Awareness
The Book of Joe: The Life, Wit, and (Sometimes Accidental) Wisdom of Joe Biden
The ultimate guide to America's favorite vice president, filled with all of the key moments, all of the lessons, and none of the malarkey.
The aviators. The Amtrak. The ice cream cones. The memes. Few politicians are as iconic, or as beloved, as Joe Biden. Now, in The Book of Joe, Biden fans will finally have the definitive look at America's favorite vice president—and what he can teach us.
Structured around key moments in Biden's life and career—and filled with Biden-isms like "That's a bunch of malarkey" and "I may be Irish, but I'm not stupid"—this blend of biography, advice, and humor will reveal the experiences that forged Joe Biden, and the lessons we can use in our own lives. Along the way, readers will also encounter fun sidebars on his love of muscle cars, his most endearing gaffes, his bromance with President Obama, and much more.
Yet beneath the memorable Biden-isms, the book will reveal an inspirational story of a man who keeps "getting back up." We need this right now. Much as Biden has come back from both professional missteps and personal heartbreaks, sometimes we all have to get back up and fight. Given Biden's reputation as a decent, plainspoken, patriotic statesman of integrity, this entertaining and practical book will be both a celebration of great political figure and an essential guide to creating the America he believes in so dearly.
Published by Crown/Three Rivers Press in 2017.