2 historians critical of ‘Hamilton’ win American Book Award

NEW YORK – Two historians who have faulted the Pulitzer Prize-winning musical “Hamilton” are among the recipients of an American Book Award for criticism.

The awards started in 1980 and are presented by the Before Columbus Foundation. They honour “outstanding literary achievement” that reflect the country’s diversity.

Winners Lyra Monteiro and Nancy Isenberg have written that “Hamilton” romanticizes Alexander Hamilton and misrepresents history.

Other winners Monday include poet Ray Young Bear’s “Manifestation Wolverine,” Ned and Constance Sublette’s history “The American Slave Coast” and activist Deepa Iyer’s exploration of racism and immigrant communities, “We Too Sing America.” Author and activist Louise Meriwether won a lifetime achievement prize.

Before Columbus advocates for multicultural literature. It was founded in 1976 by novelist, essayist and playwright Ishmael Reed.

The Lin-Manuel Miranda Broadway hit “Hamilton” has won several Tony Awards.