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

Forgotten Allies

Posted: March 25, 2014

This excerpt recounts how Oneida tribal members found themselves facing increasing pressure to choose sides as the Anglo-American conflict intensified.

History

The Marketplace of Revolution

Posted: March 11, 2014

This excerpt from T.H. Breen looks at how one city’s rebellion, the Boston Tea Party, became an entire people’s war and created a common cause of America.

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.

History

Founding Mothers

Posted: January 28, 2014

Read this excerpt from Cokie Roberts that offers a comprehensive look at the many roles women played in American Revolutionary War.

History

The Battle for the Fourteenth Colony

Posted: January 14, 2014

This excerpt from Mark Anderson reveals the beginnings of the Quebec Campaign when colonists were trying to bring Canada into the Continental confederation

History

Journal of the American Revolution

Posted: December 17, 2013

Read an excerpt from the Journal of the American Revolution.

History

Turning Point

Posted: December 17, 2013

This excerpt from Todd Andrlik features an article by Thomas Fleming revealing a turning point for General George Washington during the American Revolution

History

The Last Muster

Posted: December 02, 2013

Read this excerpt from Maureen Taylor’s The Last Muster to learn more about three veterans of the American Revolution—Nathaniel Ames, Agrippa Hull, and Ezra Green.

Image 10152020 Readrevolutionbookcover Economy Building

History

Financial Founding Fathers

Posted: November 19, 2013

This excerpt by authors Robert Wright and David Cowen reveals how Robert Morris brought order to the early American economy and created the first national bank.

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