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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 91–100 of 190 items
 Rtr Invisible Ink 1

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

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

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

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

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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The Expanding Blaze book cover

The Expanding Blaze

Posted: March 14, 2018
This excerpt from Jonathan Israel investigates radical ideas of self-government, liberty, and republicanism that challenged the Old World institutions.
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Passion is the Gale book cover

Passion is the Gale

Posted: February 14, 2018
This excerpt from Nicole Eustace examines the language of emotions in social and political relationships through letters, diaries, books, and pamphlets
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Most Bless Of The Patriarchs book cover

Most Blessed of the Patriarchs

Posted: January 24, 2018
This excerpt from authors Annette Gordon-Reed and Peter Onuf dissects the life of Thomas Jefferson and explores his attachment to home and to family.
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The Common Cause Book Cover

The Common Cause

Posted: December 27, 2017
This excerpt from Robert Parkinson explores the creation of a common cause to rally colonists from South Carolina to Massachusetts against a common enemy.
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Don Troiani's Soldiers Of The American Revolution book cover

Don Troiani’s Soldiers of the American Revolution

Posted: December 13, 2017
These works by Don Troiani show his original paintings of soldiers alongside the actual objects he studied in his artistic recreations.
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