Read the Revolution

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

Featured Books

African Founders

Read an excerpt from Pulitzer Prize-winning author David Hackett Fischer's book, African Founders: How Enslaved People Expanded American Ideals.

The Journal of Charlotte L. Forten

Read an excerpt from The Journal of Charlotte L. Forten, edited by Ray Allen Billington.

The Grimkes

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

Double Feature: First Martyr of Liberty and The Remarkable Cause

Read excerpts from Mitch Kachun's First Martyr of Liberty: Crispus Attucks in American Memory and Jean O'Connor's The Remarkable Cause: A Novel of James Lovell and the Crucible of the Revolution.

Flora MacDonald: "Pretty Young Rebel"

Read an excerpt from Flora Fraser's new book, Flora MacDonald: “Pretty Young Rebel”: Her Life and Story.

African Founders book cover by David Hackett Fischer

Cover of The Journal of Charlotte L. Forten featuring a photograph of an older Charlotte.

The Grimkes by Kerri Greenidge Book book cover.

Book covers for First Martyr of Liberty and The Remarkable Cause.

Flora Macdonald Pretty Young Rebel book cover by Flora Fraser

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

Unveiling Memories

Posted: October 05, 2022

Read an excerpt from Iberdrola's book Unveiling Memories: Spain and the Hispanic Contribution to American Independence edited by José Manuel Guerrero Acosta.

History

The Compleat Victory

Posted: September 14, 2022

Read an excerpt from Kevin J. Weddle's The Compleat Victory: Saratoga and the American Revolution.

Biography & Memoir

First Lady of Letters

Posted: August 24, 2022

Read an excerpt from Sheila L. Skemp's book, First Lady of Letters: Judith Sargent Murray and the Struggle for Female Independence.

Biography & Memoir

Hero of Two Worlds

Posted: August 17, 2022

Read an excerpt from Mike Duncan's best-selling book, Hero of Two Worlds: The Marquis de Lafayette in the Age of Revolution.

History

Liberty is Sweet

Posted: July 27, 2022

Read an excerpt from Woody Holton's book, Liberty is Sweet: The Hidden History of the American Revolution.

Children & Young Adults

Summer Reading List: 2022 Young Readers Edition

Posted: July 13, 2022

Check out the Museum education team's 2022 summer reading list selections for young readers ages 6-12.

History

Rebels at Sea

Posted: June 22, 2022

Read an excerpt from Eric Jay Dolin's book, Rebels at Sea: Privateering in the American Revolution.

Biography & Memoir

Charity and Sylvia

Posted: June 08, 2022

Read an excerpt from Rachel Hope Cleves' book, Charity and Sylvia: A Same-Sex Marriage in Early America.

Biography & Memoir

The Last King of America

Posted: May 25, 2022

Read an excerpt from Andrew Roberts' book, The Last King of America: The Misunderstood Reign of King George III.

History

Hessians

Posted: May 11, 2022

Read an excerpt of Friederike Baer's new book, Hessians: German Soldiers in the American Revolutionary War.

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