Read the Revolution

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

Featured Books

Female Genius

Read an excerpt from Mary Sarah Bilder's book, Female Genius: Eliza Harriot and George Washington at the Dawn of the Constitution.

King Hancock

Read an excerpt from Brooke Barbier's book, King Hancock: The Radical Influence of a Moderate Founding Father.

Witness to Revolution Exhibit Reading List

See five books recommended by the Museum that explore key people connected to George Washington’s tent and were critical to researching and constructing the exhibition.

The Odyssey of Phillis Wheatley

Read an excerpt from David Waldstreicher's book, The Odyssey of Phillis Wheatley: A Poet’s Journeys Through American Slavery and Independence.

Brothers in Liberty

Read an excerpt from Phillip Thomas Tucker's book, Brothers in Liberty: The Forgotten Story of the Free Black Haitians Who Fought for American Independence.

Book cover for Female Genius written in a wavy font across the bottom third features Columbia holding the American flag.

Book cover for King Hancock book featuring a large portrait of John Hancock's face with the title King Hancock in gold and Hancock written in his famous signature.

Introductory wall panel in the Witness to Revolution special exhibit with white text on a red background.

Cover for David Waldstreicher's book The Odyssey of Phillis Wheatley with the book title and author name in bold black font against an orange background with a colorized version of Phillis Wheatley's portrait in the center.

Book cover for Brothers in Liberty features the book title in yellow on a red background in the middle of the cover with the subtitle right below in white.

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

Monmouth Court House

Posted: June 23, 2015

This excerpt from authors Joseph Bilby and Katherine Bilby Jenkins shows George Washington receiving recommendations from his generals regarding the readiness of American troops

History

Founding Friendships

Posted: June 09, 2015

This excerpt from Cassandra Good shows how women gained political access, influence, and information through their male friends in political office.

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.

Biography & Memoir

The Revolution's Last Men

Posted: April 21, 2015

Read an excerpt from Don Hagist in which he updated biographies on the last living American Revolution veterans for a more accurate take.

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.

Biography & Memoir

Treacherous Beauty

Posted: March 24, 2015

Read an excerpt from a biography by Mark Jacob and Stephen H. Case highlighting the life of Peggy Shippen, the wife of the treasonous Benedict Arnold.