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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Image 10012020 The Philadelphia Campaign

History

The Philadelphia Campaign, Vol. II

Posted: September 26, 2018

This excerpt from Thomas McGuire depicts the movement of Hessian forces as they marched to fight Continental troops at the Birmingham Meeting House

Biography & Memoir

Sally Wister's Journal

Posted: September 12, 2018

This excerpt from Sally Wister's journal begins as the British marched towards Philadelphia and she fretted over the uncertainty of her place in the war

History

Never Caught

Posted: August 22, 2018

This excerpt from Erica Armstrong Dunbar examines the growth of anti-slavery sentiment in Philadelphia during the 1780s and 1790s.

History

Success to America

Posted: August 08, 2018

Read an excerpt from the book, Success to America: Creamware for the American Market, featuring the S. Robert Teitelman Collection at Winterthur.

Hamilton and Peggy! A Revolutionary Friendship book cover

Children & Young Adults

Summer 2018 Reading List

Posted: July 25, 2018

View our list of 2018 Summer Reading Books about the American Revolutionary War to share stories of history with children of all ages!

History

Digging in the City of Brotherly Love

Posted: July 11, 2018

Read this excerpt from Rebecca Yamin that features a 19 century insurance policy, suggesting an explanation to a unidentified recovered artifact.

History

Insignia of Independence

Posted: June 27, 2018

This excerpt from artist Don Troiani and author James L. Kochan looks at the armies of the American Revolution and further divides each by regiment to take a closer look.

History

Invisible Ink

Posted: May 23, 2018

This excerpt from John Nagy shows the spycraft of a Philadelphia family during British occupation and their assistance in helping Washington prepare battle

History

Revolutionary Dissent

Posted: May 09, 2018

This excerpt from Stephen Solomon explores how early Americans used technology and communication networks to expand participation in political discussions

History

Of Arms and Artists

Posted: April 25, 2018

This excerpt from Paul Staiti discusses artist and Revolutionary War veteran John Trumbull’s effort to create the paintings for the US Capitol Building.

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