Read the Revolution

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

Featured Books

The Compleat Victory

Read an excerpt from Kevin J. Weddle's The Compleat Victory: Saratoga and the American Revolution.

Founding Finance

Read an excerpt from William Hogeland's book, Founding Finance: How Debt, Speculation, Foreclosures, Protests, and Crackdowns Made Us a Nation.

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.

Indigenous Continent

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

Unveiling Memories

Read an excerpt from Iberdrola's book Unveiling Memories: Spain and the Hispanic Contribution to American Independence edited by José Manuel Guerrero Acosta.

The Compleat Victory Saratoga and the American Revolution by Kevin Weddle book cover.

Founding Finance book cover by William Hogeland.

Unveiling Memories book Cover by Iberdrola

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

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

Children & Young Adults

Never Caught

Posted: January 23, 2019

Read an excerpt from Dr. Erica Armstrong Dunbar and Kathleen Van Cleve's young reader adaptation of the story of runaway slave Ona Judge.

History

Curators' Book List on Alexander Hamilton

Posted: January 09, 2019

Read an excerpt from Ron Chernow's biography of Alexander Hamilton that inspired the Broadway hit musical Hamilton: An American Musical.

History

Madison's Hand

Posted: December 26, 2018

This excerpt from Mary Bilder discusses James Madison’s personal and political evolution and his enduring ambivalence toward the Constitutional Convention

History

The West Point History of the American Revolution

Posted: December 12, 2018

This excerpt from a team of historians details 1778 when the British went to the South to rally Loyalists and disrupt the economy of the Revolutionaries.

History

American Cookie

Posted: November 28, 2018

Read an excerpt from Anne Byrn's recipe book that journeys through America's most beloved sweet treats and historical confections.

Fiction

I, Eliza Hamilton

Posted: November 14, 2018

Read an excerpt from Susan Holloway Scott's work of historical fiction about Eliza Schuyler, wife of Alexander Hamilton, during the Revolutionary War.

History

The Indian World of George Washington

Posted: October 24, 2018

This excerpt from Colin Calloway shows George Washington’s initial lack of understanding of Native allies and their impact on the nation’s founding

History

Historians on Hamilton

Posted: October 10, 2018

In her essay, Renee C. Romano looks at how Hamilton: An American Musical sparked surprising conversations and unexpected results

Image 10012020 The Philadelphia Campaign

History

The Philadelphia Campaign, Vol. II

Posted: September 26, 2018

This excerpt from Thomas McGuire depicts the movement of Hessian forces as they marched to fight Continental troops at the Birmingham Meeting House

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