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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 11–20 of 39 items
Image 120420 Rtr184 Henry Knox Cannons

Double Feature: Henry Knox's Winter Adventure

Posted: December 09, 2020
Read excerpts from Don Brown's Henry and the Cannons: An Extraordinary True Story of the American Revolution as well as Phillip Hamilton's The Revolutionary War Lives and Letters of Lucy and Henry Knox.
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Image Rtr Ethan Allen

Ethan Allen

Posted: April 08, 2014
Read an excerpt from Willard Sterne Randall's biography of Ethan Allen, commander of the Green Mountain Boys, a confederation of local militias.
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Financier of the Revolution Book Cover

Financier of the Revolution

Posted: October 12, 2016
Read an excerpt from Charles Rappleye about the rise and fall of Founding Father and signer of the Declaration of Independence, Robert Morris.
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First Lady Of Letters Book Cover by Sheila Skemp

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.
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Flora Macdonald Pretty Young Rebel book cover by Flora Fraser

Flora MacDonald: "Pretty Young Rebel"

Posted: January 25, 2023
Read an excerpt from Flora Fraser's new book, Flora MacDonald: “Pretty Young Rebel”: Her Life and Story.
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George Washington: Gentleman Warrior book cover

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.
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Hero Of Two Worlds by Mike Duncan book featuring a portrait of Marquis de Lafayette.

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.
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This image depicts the book cover of James Monroe: A Life by Tim McGrath. James Monroe is written in red, while A Life and Tim’s name is written in white. The cover is a portrait of James Monroe in a black jacket. His body is turned off to his left looking in the same direction.

James Monroe

Posted: April 28, 2021
Read an excerpt from Tim McGrath's book, James Monroe: A Life.
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Negotiating Peace Book Cover

John Adams

Posted: November 04, 2014
Read an excerpt from David McCullough about the Founding Fathers negotiating with the British as they begin talks to officially end the war.
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John Barry book cover

John Barry

Posted: May 20, 2014
Read an excerpt from Tim McGrath about Continental Navy Officer John Barry's actions that turned a seeming disaster into a stunning victory.
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