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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 121–130 of 183 items
The First Congress Book Cover

The First Congress

Posted: July 06, 2016
Read this excerpt from Fergus Bordewich that covers the debates over Alexander Hamilton’s financial plan to the simple question of how we address the president.
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The Declaration of Independence Book Cover

The Declaration of Independence

Posted: June 22, 2016
This excerpt by David Armitage examines how the Declaration of Independence became a political and philosophical model for nations across the globe.
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Mapping the Revolution Book Cover

Mapping the Revolution

Posted: June 08, 2016
This excerpt from authors Richard Brown and Paul Cohen charts the territorial claims and geographic strategy behind military campaigns during the Revolutionary War.
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Patriot Pirates Book Cover

Patriot Pirates

Posted: May 25, 2016
This excerpt from Robert Patton presents the story of America's seaborne insurgency against British merchant ships and Navy.
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Founding Gardeners Book Cover

Founding Gardeners

Posted: May 11, 2016
This excerpt from Andrea Wulf introduces the founding fathers as promoters of an agrarian nation, sharing new farming methods and exotic plants.
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Independence Lost Book Cover

Independence Lost

Posted: April 27, 2016
This excerpt from Kathleen DuVal sets the stage for the American Revolution on the Gulf Coast and tells stories that give international perspectives
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American Insurgents, American Patriots Book Cover

American Insurgents, American Patriots

Posted: April 13, 2016
Read an excerpt from TH Breen that traces the rise of everyday patriots who used pressure at the local level to create a shared American sense of purpose.
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Rum Punch and Revolution Book Cover

Rum Punch and Revolution

Posted: March 30, 2016
This excerpt from Peter Thompson highlights the changing culture surrounding taverns and political life on the eve of the American Revolution
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Image 091120 388x540 Rtrwashingtonsspies

Washington's Spies

Posted: March 16, 2016
This excerpt from Alexander Rose describes the establishment of the Culper Ring and the risks involved with eighteenth century espionage
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Image 091120 333x499 Rtrguilford

The Road to Guilford Courthouse

Posted: March 02, 2016
This excerpt from John Buchanan examines not only the battlefield strategy made in the Carolinas, but also the military careers of the major characters
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