Read the Revolution

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

Featured Books

Black Jacks

Read an excerpt from W. Jeffrey Bolster's book, Black Jacks: African American Seamen in the Age of Sail.

Liberty's Daughters

Read an excerpt from Mary Beth Norton's groundbreaking book, Liberty's Daughters: The Revolutionary Experience of American Women, 1750-1800.

Summer Reading List: 2023 Young Readers Edition

See our summer reading list of Revolutionary books that will encourage young readers to explore the past and the people who shaped it.

A Gentleman of Color

Read an excerpt from Julie Winch's groundbreaking book, A Gentleman of Color: The Life of James Forten.

The Grimkes

Read an excerpt from Kerri K. Greenidge's book, The Grimkes: The Legacy of Slavery in an American Family.

Cover of W. Jeffrey Bolster's book Black Jacks.

Image 091520 1776x2652 Libertysdaughters

A collection of books featured in the Museum's 2023 summer reading list for young readers.

The Grimkes by Kerri Greenidge Book book cover.

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

Revolutionary Backlash

Posted: August 26, 2020

Read an excerpt from Rosemarie Zagarri's Revolutionary Backlash: Women and Politics in the Early American Republic.

History

Remarkable Women of New England

Posted: August 18, 2020

This excerpt from Carole Owens explores women’s various roles and responsibilities between 1754 and 1787, including those of laborers and business owners.

History

They Were Good Soldiers

Posted: July 22, 2020

In these excerpts from John Rees, Black veterans share details of their service, emancipation, and freedom in the midst of revolutionary ferment.

History

Our Sister Republics

Posted: June 24, 2020

Caitlin Fitz investigates South Americans who visited the United States to inspire support and gather supplies for their revolutions back home.

History

Reading List: The Role of Cities in the American Revolution

Posted: June 17, 2020

Check out nine suggested readings from our collection of Read the Revolution book excerpts addressing the role of cities in the American Revolution.

History

Memories of War

Posted: May 27, 2020

In this excerpt, historian Thomas A. Chambers explores how people visited and commemorated battlefields between independence and the Civil War.

History

Learning to Stand and Speak

Posted: May 13, 2020

Read an excerpt of historian Mary Kelley's book Learning to Stand and Speak: Women, Education, and Public Life in America's Republic.

History

Sex Among the Rabble

Posted: April 22, 2020

Read an excerpt from Clare A. Lyons' book, Sex Among the Rabble: An Intimate History of Gender & Power in the Age Revolution, Philadelphia, 1730-1830.

History

Cabal! The Plot Against General Washington

Posted: April 08, 2020

Read an excerpt from Mark Edward Lender's Cabal! The Plot Against General Washington on the challenge to Washington’s command known as the "Conway Cabal."

History

First Ladies of the Republic

Posted: March 25, 2020

Read an excerpt of Abrams' First Ladies of the Republic: Martha Washington, Abigail Adams, Dolley Madison, and the Creation of an Iconic American Role.

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