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.

The American Manufactory

Read an excerpt from Laura Rigal's book, The American Manufactory: Art, Labor, and the World of Things in the Early Republic.

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.

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.

Book cover for The American Manufactory with a painting of a more than a dozen people operating a water wheel.

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.

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

Valiant Ambition

Posted: August 03, 2016

This excerpt from Nathaniel Philbrick tells the story of the rise of George Washington and the fall of Benedict Arnold during the American Revolution

History

Washington's Crossing

Posted: December 27, 2023

Read an excerpt from David Hackett Fischer's Pulitzer Prize-winning book, Washington's Crossing.

Biography & Memoir

Washington's General

Posted: January 11, 2017

Read an excerpt from Terry Golway's biography of Nathanael Greene, who was appointed by Washington as commander of the Southern Army.

History

Washington's Immortals

Posted: August 23, 2016

This excerpt from Patrick O'Donnell tells the story of the First Maryland Regiment and its presence at many of the major battles of the American Revolution

History

Washington's Spies

Posted: March 16, 2016

This excerpt from Alexander Rose describes the establishment of the Culper Ring and the risks involved with eighteenth century espionage

Biography & Memoir

Washington: A Life

Posted: December 23, 2014

Read an excerpt from Ron Chernow's biography on George Washington, Washington: A Life.

History

West of the Revolution

Posted: January 20, 2016

Read this excerpt from Claudio Saunt to learn about an ambitious, yet illegal under British law, land scheme to settle a fourteenth colony on the West Coast.