Read the Revolution

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

Featured Books

A Bard of Wolfe's Army

Read an excerpt from the book, A Bard of Wolfe’s Army: James Thompson, Gentleman Volunteer, 1733-1830, edited by Earl John Chapman and Ian Macpherson McCulloch.

Feeding Washington's Army

Read an excerpt from Ricardo A. Herrera's book, Feeding Washington's Army: Surviving the Valley Forge Winter of 1778.

Flora MacDonald: "Pretty Young Rebel"

Read an excerpt from Flora Fraser's new book, Flora MacDonald: “Pretty Young Rebel”: Her Life and Story.

Thomas Paine and the Dangerous Word

Read an excerpt from Thomas Paine and the Dangerous Word, written by Sarah Jane Marsh and illustrated by Edwin Fotheringham.

Indigenous Continent

Read an excerpt from Pekka Hämäläinen's book, Indigenous Continent: The Epic Contest for North America.

Book cover for Feeding Washington's Army by Ricardo A. Herrera featuring an image of Harrington Fitzgerald's painting Valley Forge Winter.

Flora Macdonald Pretty Young Rebel book cover by Flora Fraser

Cover for Thomas Paine and the Dangerous Word by Sarah Jane Marsh.

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

Founding Friendships

Posted: June 09, 2015

This excerpt from Cassandra Good shows how women gained political access, influence, and information through their male friends in political office.

History

Founding Gardeners

Posted: May 11, 2016

This excerpt from Andrea Wulf introduces the founding fathers as promoters of an agrarian nation, sharing new farming methods and exotic plants.

History

Founding Mothers

Posted: January 28, 2014

Read this excerpt from Cokie Roberts that offers a comprehensive look at the many roles women played in American Revolutionary War.

History

From Slaves to Soldiers

Posted: February 13, 2019

This excerpt from Robert Geake highlights the 1st Rhode Island Regiment, an integrated unit composed of African American, Native American and white soldiers

History

Frontier Rebels

Posted: January 08, 2020

Read an excerpt from Patrick Spero's book, Frontier Rebels: The Fight for Independence in the American West, 1765-1776.

Biography & Memoir

George Washington

Posted: February 25, 2014

Read an excerpt from Stephen Brumwell's biography of George Washington and learn how Washington secured the history-making position of Commander in Chief.

History

George Washington's America

Posted: December 07, 2016

This excerpt from Barnet Schecter shows the issues facing Washington and the Continental Army in 1776 as they began to defend the city from the British.

History

Grand Forage 1778

Posted: September 28, 2016

This excerpt from Todd Braisted details how the British Army gathered provisions and battled with American soldiers and civilians for supplies and loyalties

Biography & Memoir

Hero of Two Worlds

Posted: August 17, 2022

Read an excerpt from Mike Duncan's best-selling book, Hero of Two Worlds: The Marquis de Lafayette in the Age of Revolution.

History

Hessians

Posted: August 25, 2015

This excerpt from Brady Crytzer provides a look at the American Revolutionary War from the perspective of German Hessian soldiers who fought for the British

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