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.

Subscribe Now

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

Filter By:

Showing 41–49 of 49 items

Sort by:

Biography & Memoir

Washington: A Life

Posted: December 23, 2014

Read an excerpt from Ron Chernow's biography on George Washington, Washington: A Life.

Biography & Memoir

The Shoemaker and the Tea Party

Posted: December 09, 2014

Read an excerpt from Alfred Young's essays about the contributions of ordinary people, specifically a shoemaker, to the American Revolution.

Biography & Memoir

John Adams

Posted: November 04, 2014

Read an excerpt from David McCullough about the Founding Fathers negotiating with the British as they begin talks to officially end the war.

Image 111320 Rtr First American Brands Cover

Biography & Memoir

The First American

Posted: September 23, 2014

Read an excerpt from H. W. Brands about about Ben Franklin presenting the first draft for the Articles of Confederation to the Continental Congress.

Biography & Memoir

John Barry

Posted: May 20, 2014

Read an excerpt from Tim McGrath about Continental Navy Officer John Barry's actions that turned a seeming disaster into a stunning victory.

Biography & Memoir

Ethan Allen

Posted: April 08, 2014

Read an excerpt from Willard Sterne Randall's biography of Ethan Allen, commander of the Green Mountain Boys, a confederation of local militias.

Biography & Memoir

George Washington

Posted: February 25, 2014

Read an excerpt from Stephen Brumwell's biography of George Washington and learn how Washington secured the history-making position of Commander in Chief.

Biography & Memoir

A Gentleman of Color

Posted: February 11, 2014

Read an excerpt from Julie Winch's biography of free Black Philadelphian James Forten, who would grow to become a prominent businessman, abolitionist and a celebrated Revolutionary.

Biography & Memoir

Memoir of a Revolutionary Soldier

Posted: July 16, 2013

Read an excerpt from Joseph Plumb Martins memoir describing leaving the safety of home for his first deployment for the American Revolution in 1776.

5 of 5 pages