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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 111–120 of 199 items
This image depicts the book cover of Revolution Against Empire by Justin Du Rivage.

Revolution Against Empire

Posted: November 08, 2017
Read this excerpt from Justin du Rivage that introduces the competing ideological groups who shaped and reshaped the debates during the American Revolution
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The Burning Of His Majesty's Schooner Gaspee Book Cover

The Burning of His Majesty’s Schooner Gaspee

Posted: October 25, 2017
This excerpt from Steven Park tells how a group of colonial protestors captured and burned a British naval schooner a year before the Boston Tea Party.
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Image 101920 330x499 Braddocks Defeat

Braddock's Defeat

Posted: October 11, 2017
Read this excerpt by David Preston that summarizes the challenges of a pivotal battle and its impact on the Revolutionary War two decades later.
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A Revolution In Color Book Cover

A Revolution in Color

Posted: September 27, 2017
This excerpt from Jane Kamensky provides an introduction into the world of artist John Singleton Copley and of the American Revolution as seen by him.
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The Ghost Ship of Brooklyn Book Cover

The Ghost Ship of Brooklyn

Posted: September 13, 2017
This excerpt from Robert Watson weaves together details of the horrifying conditions experienced aboard the HMS Jersey during the American Revolutionary.
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The Queen's American Rangers Book Cover

The Queen's American Rangers

Posted: August 09, 2017
This excerpt from Donald Gara details efforts to remake the Queen's Rangers in 1777 during the early months of the British occupation of Philadelphia.
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Scars of Independence Book Cover

Scars of Independence

Posted: July 26, 2017
This excerpt from author Holger Hoock examines the moral dilemmas posed by the all-pervasive violence of the American Revolutionary War.
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Fatal Sunday Book Cover

Fatal Sunday

Posted: June 28, 2017
Read this excerpt that offers a glimpse into the aftermath of Battle of Monmouth, detailing the gruesome task left to victors of burying the dead.
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American Revolutions Book Cover

American Revolutions

Posted: June 14, 2017
This excerpt from Alan Taylor strips away the rosy veneer associated with the American Revolution to reveal a violent civil war and a fragile new nation.
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Betsy Ross Book Cover

Betsy Ross

Posted: May 24, 2017
Read an excerpt from Marla Miller who breaks through the myths and weaves Betsy Ross's life story with that of the nation's.
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