Read the Revolution

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

Featured Books

Misinformation Nation

Read an excerpt from Jordan E. Taylor's book, Misinformation Nation: Foreign News and the Politics of Truth in Revolutionary America.

The Pattern

Read an excerpt from Robbie MacNiven's book, The Pattern: The 33rd Regiment and the British Infantry Experience During the American Revolution, 1770-1783.

The Public Universal Friend

Read an excerpt from Paul Moyer's book, The Public Universal Friend: Jemima Wilkinson and Religious Enthusiasm in Revolutionary America.

Reading List: Native Americans in the American Revolution

View a list of six recommended Read the Revolution book selections to read for Native American Heritage Month this November.

Making the Presidency

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

This image shows the book cover for Misinformation Nation with the title of the book in large text in a gray box centered on the page with an engraving of a city port scene in the background.

This book cover features a figure study of a British Army soldier wearing a red coat with white lining holding a long firearm and wearing a black tri-corner hat.

This image shows the cover of the book The Public Universal Friend with the title in white font overlaid atop dark orange, black, and gold religious paintings.

This image shows a vertical graphic with four book covers in a grid including Liberty's Exiles in the top left, Memory Wars top right, The Cutting-Off Way bottom right, and The Forgotten Allies bottom left.

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

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History

Desperate Sons

Posted: May 26, 2015

This excerpt from Les Standiford describes America's growing number of grievances with its mother country and Britain's indifference to colonists' complaints

History

Philadelphia

Posted: May 12, 2015

This excerpt from a multitude of authors shows how the events of 1776 led an uneasy population to shore up their defenses and eventually flee.

History

Paul Revere's Ride

Posted: April 07, 2015

This excerpt from David Hackett Fischer delves into Paul Revere's history as well as the tumultuous world he lived in, and highlights that fateful day.

History

The American Plate

Posted: March 10, 2015

Read this excerpt from Libby O'Connell's The American Plate about the role patriotism played in leading us towards our now ubiquitous coffee culture.

History

Rebels Rising

Posted: February 24, 2015

This excerpt from Benjamin Carp explains the role of colonial meeting spaces as opinions of everyday people gained increasing political influence.

History

Age of Homespun

Posted: February 10, 2015

Read an excerpt from Laurel Thatcher Ulrich’s telling of the importance of women's patriotism during the boycotting of British goods.

History

Battle of Cowpens

Posted: January 20, 2015

This excerpt from Lawrence Babits transports us to 1781, when Americans finally achieved victory at the Battle of Cowpens after a series of southern losses.

History

Common Sense

Posted: January 06, 2015

This excerpt comes from the section "Thoughts on the Present State of American Affairs" from Common Sense, the influential pamphlet by Thomas Paine.

History

The Secret Six

Posted: December 31, 2014

This excerpt from authors Kilmeade and Yaeger shows George Washington's use of intelligence and counterintelligence, including Culper Spy Ring

History

The Divided Ground

Posted: November 18, 2014

Read this excerpt from Alan Taylor that tells of an important ally in the American Revolution: the Oneida Nation, a nation of the Iroquois Confederacy.

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