Read the Revolution

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

Featured Books

Female Genius

Read an excerpt from Mary Sarah Bilder's book, Female Genius: Eliza Harriot and George Washington at the Dawn of the Constitution.

King Hancock

Read an excerpt from Brooke Barbier's book, King Hancock: The Radical Influence of a Moderate Founding Father.

Witness to Revolution Exhibit Reading List

See five books recommended by the Museum that explore key people connected to George Washington’s tent and were critical to researching and constructing the exhibition.

The Odyssey of Phillis Wheatley

Read an excerpt from David Waldstreicher's book, The Odyssey of Phillis Wheatley: A Poet’s Journeys Through American Slavery and Independence.

Brothers in Liberty

Read an excerpt from Phillip Thomas Tucker's book, Brothers in Liberty: The Forgotten Story of the Free Black Haitians Who Fought for American Independence.

Book cover for Female Genius written in a wavy font across the bottom third features Columbia holding the American flag.

Book cover for King Hancock book featuring a large portrait of John Hancock's face with the title King Hancock in gold and Hancock written in his famous signature.

Introductory wall panel in the Witness to Revolution special exhibit with white text on a red background.

Cover for David Waldstreicher's book The Odyssey of Phillis Wheatley with the book title and author name in bold black font against an orange background with a colorized version of Phillis Wheatley's portrait in the center.

Book cover for Brothers in Liberty features the book title in yellow on a red background in the middle of the cover with the subtitle right below in white.

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

Slave Counterpoint

Posted: July 24, 2019

This excerpt from Phillip Morgan explains the value of studying slave culture in the eighteenth century and “humanizing the institution of slavery.”

History

Standing in Their Own Light

Posted: June 23, 2021

Read an excerpt from Judith L. Van Buskirk's book, Standing in Their Own Light: African American Patriots in the American Revolution.

History

Success to America

Posted: August 08, 2018

Read an excerpt from the book, Success to America: Creamware for the American Market, featuring the S. Robert Teitelman Collection at Winterthur.

Image 101520 Rtr 2017 Summer Reading List Kids

Children & Young Adults

Summer 2017 Reading List

Posted: July 12, 2017

Check out the 45 titles featured in our summer 2017 reading list for children and young adults.

Hamilton and Peggy! A Revolutionary Friendship book cover

Children & Young Adults

Summer 2018 Reading List

Posted: July 25, 2018

View our list of 2018 Summer Reading Books about the American Revolutionary War to share stories of history with children of all ages!

Children & Young Adults

Summer 2019 Reading List

Posted: June 26, 2019

View our list of 2019 Summer Reading Books about the American Revolutionary War to share stories of history with children of all ages!

Children & Young Adults

Summer Reading List: 2020 Young Readers Edition

Posted: July 08, 2020

View our list of 2020 Summer Reading Books about the American Revolutionary War to share stories of history with children of all ages!

The Museum’s 2021 Children’s Youth Reading List includes Why Longfellow Lied: The Truth About Paul Revere’s Ride, The Age of Phillis by Honoree Fanonne Jeffers, and A Parade for George Washington by David A. Adler and illustrated by John O’Brien.

Children & Young Adults

Summer Reading List: 2021 Young Readers Edition

Posted: August 25, 2021

View our list of new books about the American Revolutionary War to share stories of history with children of all ages for 2021 summer reading.

Children & Young Adults

Summer Reading List: 2022 Young Readers Edition

Posted: July 13, 2022

Check out the Museum education team's 2022 summer reading list selections for young readers ages 6-12.

A collection of books featured in the Museum's 2023 summer reading list for young readers.

Children & Young Adults

Summer Reading List: 2023 Young Readers Edition

Posted: May 24, 2023

See our summer reading list of Revolutionary books that will encourage young readers to explore the past and the people who shaped it.

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