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Read the Revolution

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

Sponsored by The Haverford Trust Company

Featured Books

Hessians

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

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Charity and Sylvia

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

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Rebels at Sea

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

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The Last King of America

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

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Sentiments of a British-American Woman

Read an excerpt from Owen S. Ireland's book, Sentiments of a British-American Woman: Esther DeBerdt Reed and the American Revolution.

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    Hessians German Soldiers American Revolutionary War by Friederike Baer book cover.
    Charity and Sylvia Book Cover
    Two ships on the cover of a took titled Rebels at Sea
    The Last King Of America by Andrew Roberts
    Sentiments Of A British American Woman by Owen Ireland book cover featuring a portrait of Esther de Bert Reed.

    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

    Showing 1–10 of 220 items
    Image 010721 Rtr186 1774 Long Year Revolution Norton Cover
    History

    1774: The Long Year of Revolution

    Posted: January 13, 2021
    Read an excerpt from Mary Beth Norton's new book, 1774: The Long Year of Revolution.
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    This image shows the book cover of 1776 by David McCullough. 1776 is written in large red font in the center of the image. On the bottom, there is a painting depicting the Continental Army.
    History

    1776

    Posted: July 01, 2014
    Read an excerpt from David McCullough's book that captures American reactions in the immediate aftermath of the Declaration of Independence.
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    This image depicts A Crisis of Peace by David Head book cover. It is a colored portrait of General Washington.
    History

    A Crisis of Peace

    Posted: July 14, 2021
    Read an excerpt from David Head's book, A Crisis of Peace: George Washington, the Newburgh Conspiracy, and the Fate of the American Revolution.
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    A Fool's Errand book cover
    Biography & Memoir

    A Fool's Errand

    Posted: October 09, 2019
    This excerpt of Lonnie Bunch intertwines his personal experiences with the long road that led to the National Museum of African American History and Culture.
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    A Generous and Merciful Enemy book cover
    History

    A Generous and Merciful Enemy

    Posted: July 15, 2014
    This excerpt from Daniel Krebs reveals the experience of the tens of thousands of German-speaking soldiers, called "Hessians" hired by the British Crown.
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    A Gentleman of Color book cover
    Biography & Memoir

    A Gentleman of Color

    Posted: February 11, 2014
    Read an excerpt from Julie Winch's biography of James Forten, a boy who would grow to become a prominent businessman, abolitionist and a celebrated Patriot.
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    A Hessian Diary of the American Revolution Book Cover
    Biography & Memoir

    A Hessian Diary of the American Revolution

    Posted: February 22, 2017
    This excerpt includes a journal entry of a young Hessian soldier during the month of July 1781, the summer before the surrender at Yorktown.
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    A Perfect Union Book Cover
    History

    A Perfect Union

    Posted: March 27, 2019
    This excerpt from Catherine Allgor shows how Dolly Madison became a well known figure in the United States, even earning the title of “America’s Queen.”
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    A Revolution In Color Book Cover
    History

    A Revolution in Color

    Posted: September 27, 2017
    This excerpt from Jane Kamensky provides an introduction into the world of artist John Singleton Copley and of the American Revolution as seen by him.
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    A Revolution in Eating Book Cover
    History

    A Revolution in Eating

    Posted: November 23, 2016
    This excerpt from James McWilliams shows how the first American cookbook in 1796 led to introducing American recipes alongside the traditional British ones
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    Sponsored by The Haverford Trust Company