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Read the Revolution

A curated collection of thought-provoking books about the American Revolution.

Featured Books

Memory Wars

Read an excerpt from A. Lynn Smith's book, Memory Wars: Settlers and Natives Remember Washington’s Sullivan Expedition of 1779.

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The Bill of Obligations

Read an excerpt from Richard Haass's book, The Bill of Obligations: The Ten Habits of Good Citizens.

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One Minute A Free Woman

Read an excerpt from Emilie Piper and David Levinson's book, One Minute A Free Woman: Elizabeth Freeman and the Struggle for Freedom.

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The Contagion of Liberty

Read an excerpt from Andrew M. Wehrman's book, The Contagion of Liberty: The Politics of Smallpox in the American Revolution.

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Making the Presidency

Read an excerpt from Lindsay M. Chervinsky's book, Making the Presidency: John Adams and the Precedents That Forged the Republic.

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    This image shows the book cover for the book Memory Wars with a red background textured with Native American symbols and the book title and author name in white font to the left side.
    This image shows the book cover for The Bill of Obligations with black text on a cream background and an American flag sown back together with a needle and thread in the center.
    This image shows the book cover for One Minute A Free Woman with the title in large navy blue serif font over script writing on beige paper.
    This image shows the book cover for The Contagion of Liberty featuring the book title large in blue and white font over a brown beige background on the top half with an engraving of a crowd of people getting vaccinated against smallpox.
    This image shows the book cover for Making the Presidency by Lindsay Chervinsky featuring a portrait of John Adams.

    About

    Curated by Museum staff since 2013, Read the Revolution features excerpts from thought-provoking books about the American Revolution. Read the Revolution was created with thanks to a grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities: Democracy demands wisdom. Subscribe to get the biweekly Read the Revolution featured excerpts emailed right to your inbox for free.

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    Speaker Series

    Inspired by the Read the Revolution featured excerpts, the Read the Revolution Speaker Series brings celebrated authors and historians to the Museum for lively, facilitated discussions of their work. Each Read the Revolution Speaker Series program, hosted by Museum President & CEO Dr. R. Scott Stephenson, includes a special talk and audience Q&A.

    About the Series

    All Books

    Showing 101–110 of 205 items
    Image 10012020 The Philadelphia Campaign
    History

    The Philadelphia Campaign, Vol. II

    Posted: September 26, 2018
    This excerpt from Thomas McGuire depicts the movement of Hessian forces as they marched to fight Continental troops at the Birmingham Meeting House.
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    Rtr Never Caught The Washingtons Relentless Pursuit Of Their Runaway Slave Ona Judge
    History

    Never Caught

    Posted: August 22, 2018
    This excerpt from Erica Armstrong Dunbar examines the growth of anti-slavery sentiment in Philadelphia during the 1780s and 1790s.
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    Image 102620 Rtr128 Success To America
    History

    Success to America

    Posted: August 08, 2018
    Read an excerpt from the book, Success to America: Creamware for the American Market, featuring the S. Robert Teitelman Collection at Winterthur.
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    This image depicts the book cover of Digging in The City of Brotherly Love by Rebecca Yamin. The cover is a photo of a Philadelphia park in the fall. The top and bottom of the book cover are purple. The title of the book is written in front of a yellow strip.
    History

    Digging in the City of Brotherly Love

    Posted: July 11, 2018
    Read this excerpt from Rebecca Yamin that features a 19 century insurance policy, suggesting an explanation to a unidentified recovered artifact.
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    Insignia of Independence Book Cover
    History

    Insignia of Independence

    Posted: June 27, 2018
    This excerpt from artist Don Troiani and author James L. Kochan looks at the armies of the American Revolution and further divides each by regiment to take a closer look.
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    Rtr Invisible Ink 1
    History

    Invisible Ink

    Posted: May 23, 2018
    This excerpt from John Nagy shows the spycraft of a Philadelphia family during British occupation and their assistance in helping Washington prepare battle
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    Revolutionary Dissent book cover
    History

    Revolutionary Dissent

    Posted: May 09, 2018
    This excerpt from Stephen Solomon explores how early Americans used technology and communication networks to expand participation in political discussions
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    Rtr Of Arms Book
    History

    Of Arms and Artists

    Posted: April 25, 2018
    This excerpt from Paul Staiti discusses artist and Revolutionary War veteran John Trumbull’s effort to create the paintings for the US Capitol Building.
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    Book cover of "Eyewitness Images from the American Revolution" by Arthur S. Lefkowitz
    History

    Eyewitness Images from the American Revolution

    Posted: April 11, 2018
    Read an excerpt from Arthur Lefkowitz that introduces less-celebrated figures of the war and reveals their methods for creating art amidst the war.
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    Rtr Revolution Song
    History

    Revolution Song

    Posted: March 28, 2018
    This excerpt from Russell Shorto weaves together the life stories of six historical figures against the backdrop of the American Revolution.
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