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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Biography & Memoir

Sally Wister's Journal

Posted: September 12, 2018

This excerpt from Sally Wister's journal begins as the British marched towards Philadelphia and she fretted over the uncertainty of her place in the war

History

Never Caught

Posted: August 22, 2018

This excerpt from Erica Armstrong Dunbar examines the growth of anti-slavery sentiment in Philadelphia during the 1780s and 1790s.

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.

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!

History

Digging in the City of Brotherly Love

Posted: July 11, 2018

Read this excerpt from Rebecca Yamin that features a 19 century insurance policy, suggesting an explanation to a unidentified recovered artifact.

History

Insignia of Independence

Posted: June 27, 2018

This excerpt from artist Don Troiani and author James L. Kochan looks at the armies of the American Revolution and further divides each by regiment to take a closer look.

History

Invisible Ink

Posted: May 23, 2018

This excerpt from John Nagy shows the spycraft of a Philadelphia family during British occupation and their assistance in helping Washington prepare battle

History

Revolutionary Dissent

Posted: May 09, 2018

This excerpt from Stephen Solomon explores how early Americans used technology and communication networks to expand participation in political discussions

History

Of Arms and Artists

Posted: April 25, 2018

This excerpt from Paul Staiti discusses artist and Revolutionary War veteran John Trumbull’s effort to create the paintings for the US Capitol Building.

History

Eyewitness Images from the American Revolution

Posted: April 11, 2018

Read an excerpt from Arthur Lefkowitz that introduces less-celebrated figures of the war and reveals their methods for creating art amidst the war.

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