Read the Revolution

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

Featured Books

Captives of Liberty

Read an excerpt from T. Cole Jones's book, Captives of Liberty: Prisoners of War and the Politics of Vengeance in the American Revolution.

Black Founders

Read an excerpt from the Museum of the American Revolution's exhibit book, Black Founders: The Forten Family of Philadelphia.

The Cutting-Off Way

Read an excerpt from Wayne E. Lee's new book, The Cutting-Off Way: Indigenous Warfare in Eastern North America, 1500–1800.

The Words That Made Us

Read an excerpt from Akhil Reed Amar's book, The Words That Made Us: America's Constitutional Conversation, 1760-1840.

Until Justice Be Done

Read an excerpt from Kate Masur's book, Until Justice Be Done: America's First Civil Rights Movement, from the Revolution to Reconstruction.

Book cover for Captives of Liberty features a painting that depicts a Hessian soldier and a British redcoat leading a Continental soldier away as a prisoner.

Black Founders Exhibit Catalog Cover featuring a portrait of James Forten.

Book cover for Wayne Lee's The Cutting-Off Way.

Book cover for Akhil Reed Amar's The Words That Made Us with black font on parchment colored background.

Until Justice Be Done by Kate Masur teal book cover with white text.

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

Never Caught

Posted: August 22, 2018

This excerpt from Erica Armstrong Dunbar examines the growth of anti-slavery sentiment in Philadelphia during the 1780s and 1790s.

History

Occupied America

Posted: December 23, 2020

Read an excerpt from Donald F. Johnson's book, Occupied America: British Military Rule and the Experience of Revolution.

History

Of Arms and Artists

Posted: April 25, 2018

This excerpt from Paul Staiti discusses artist and Revolutionary War veteran John Trumbull’s effort to create the paintings for the US Capitol Building.

History

Our Declaration

Posted: October 27, 2015

This excerpt from Danielle Allen examines the Declaration of Independence, the document’s relevance today, and the relationship between freedom and equality

History

Our Declaration

Posted: January 26, 2022

Read an excerpt from Danielle Allen's book, Our Declaration: A Reading of the Declaration of Independence in Defense of Equality.

Our Lives, Our Fortunes, Our Sacred Honor Book Cover

History

Our Lives, Our Fortunes, and Our Sacred Honor

Posted: July 02, 2013

Read this excerpt where Richard Beeman reminds us the original Independence Day was not viewed so much as a new beginning but as a prelude to full-scale war.

History

Our Sister Republics

Posted: June 24, 2020

Caitlin Fitz investigates South Americans who visited the United States to inspire support and gather supplies for their revolutions back home.

History

Passion is the Gale

Posted: February 14, 2018

This excerpt from Nicole Eustace examines the language of emotions in social and political relationships through letters, diaries, books, and pamphlets

History

Past and Prologue

Posted: November 24, 2021

Read an excerpt from Michael Hattem's book, Past and Prologue: Politics and Memory in the American Revolution.

History

Patriot Pirates

Posted: May 25, 2016

This excerpt from Robert Patton presents the story of America's seaborne insurgency against British merchant ships and Navy.

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