Read the Revolution

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

Featured Books

The Overflowing of Friendship

Read an excerpt from Richard Godbeer's book, The Overflowing of Friendship: Love Between Men and the Creation of the American Republic.

Prisoners of Congress

Read an excerpt from Norman E. Donoghue II's book, Prisoners of Congress: Philadelphia’s Quakers in Exile, 1777-1778.

Freedom's Prophet

Read an excerpt from Richard S. Newman's book, Freedom’s Prophet: Bishop Richard Allen, the AME Church, and the Black Founding Fathers.

Give Me a Fast Ship

Read an excerpt from Tim McGrath's book, Give Me a Fast Ship: The Continental Navy and America's Revolution at Sea.

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.

Image 100223 Rtr251 Overflowing Of Friendship Godbeer Cover

Cover for Norman Donoghue's book Prisoner's of Congress which features a blue illustration of the top of Independence Hall atop the book title in blue over a beige background.

Book cover for Freedom's Prophet by Richard Newman featuring a large scale portrait of Bishop Richard Allen.

Book cover for Tim McGrath's book Give Me a Fast Ship featuring the title in black text over a goldish brown background with stars and a painting of naval ships.

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

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

The Dawn of Detroit

Posted: February 10, 2021

Read an excerpt from Tiya Miles' recent book, The Dawn of Detroit: A Chronicle of Slavery and Freedom in the City of the Straits.

History

The Day the American Revolution Began

Posted: April 12, 2017

In this excerpt from military historian William H. Hallahan he recounts April 19, 1775, the Day the American Revolution Began.

History

The Declaration of Independence

Posted: June 22, 2016

This excerpt by David Armitage examines how the Declaration of Independence became a political and philosophical model for nations across the globe.

History

The Disaffected

Posted: September 25, 2019

Read an excerpt from Aaron Sullivan's book, The Disaffected: Britain’s Occupation of Philadelphia during the American Revolution.

History

The Divided Ground

Posted: November 18, 2014

Read this excerpt from Alan Taylor that tells of an important ally in the American Revolution: the Oneida Nation, a nation of the Iroquois Confederacy.

History

The Expanding Blaze

Posted: March 14, 2018

This excerpt from Jonathan Israel investigates radical ideas of self-government, liberty, and republicanism that challenged the Old World institutions.

Image 111320 Rtr First American Brands Cover

Biography & Memoir

The First American

Posted: September 23, 2014

Read an excerpt from H. W. Brands about about Ben Franklin presenting the first draft for the Articles of Confederation to the Continental Congress.

History

The First Congress

Posted: July 06, 2016

Read this excerpt from Fergus Bordewich that covers the debates over Alexander Hamilton’s financial plan to the simple question of how we address the president.

History

The Ghost Ship of Brooklyn

Posted: September 13, 2017

This excerpt from Robert Watson weaves together details of the horrifying conditions experienced aboard the HMS Jersey during the American Revolutionary.

Biography & Memoir

The Grimkes

Posted: March 22, 2023

Read an excerpt from Kerri K. Greenidge's book, The Grimkes: The Legacy of Slavery in an American Family.

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