Join us throughout the fall for our Black Founders exhibit, special events, and more for all ages. Plan Your Visit

Dismiss notification

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.

Subscribe Now

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 121–130 of 248 items
 Rtr Never Caught The Washingtons Relentless Pursuit Of Their Runaway Slave Ona Judge

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.
Read More
Occupied America by Donald Johnson

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.
Read More
 Rtr Of Arms Book

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.
Read More
Our Declaration: A Reading of the Declaration of Independence in Defense of Equality book cover

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
Read More
Our Declaration: A Reading of the Declaration of Independence in Defense of Equality book cover

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.
Read More
Our Lives, Our Fortunes, Our Sacred Honor Book Cover

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.
Read More
Sister Republics Book Cover

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.
Read More
Passion is the Gale book cover

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
Read More
Past And Prologue by Michael Hattem

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.
Read More
Patriot Pirates Book Cover

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.
Read More
13 of 25 pages