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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

Showing 231–240 of 261 items
The American Revolution Book Cover

The American Revolution

Posted: August 26, 2014
This excerpt from Gordon Wood shows how the ideals of 'republicanism' influenced the governments being formed at the start of the Revolutionary War.
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The Perils of Peace book cover

The Perils of Peace

Posted: August 12, 2014
This excerpt from Thomas Fleming describes the political reaction in Britain immediately after the surrender at Yorktown, Virginia
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Band of Giants book cover

Band of Giants

Posted: July 29, 2014
This excerpt from Jack Kelly describes the circumstances surrounding Washington's important decision to march his troops to Virginia in the summer of 1781.
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A Generous and Merciful Enemy book cover

A Generous and Merciful Enemy

Posted: July 15, 2014
This excerpt from Daniel Krebs reveals the experience of the tens of thousands of German-speaking soldiers, called "Hessians" hired by the British Crown.
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This image shows the book cover of 1776 by David McCullough. 1776 is written in large red font in the center of the image. On the bottom, there is a painting depicting the Continental Army.

1776

Posted: July 01, 2014
Read an excerpt from David McCullough's book that captures American reactions in the immediate aftermath of the Declaration of Independence.
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This image shows the book cover of Bunker Hill: A City, A Siege, A Revolution by Nathaniel Philbrick. It shows a picture of a cannon going off during a nighttime battle. There are Revolutionary soldiers behind the cannon and the fire and sparks fill the dark.

Bunker Hill

Posted: June 17, 2014
This excerpt from Nathaniel Philbrick describes the uncertain, dramatic start to the legendary Battle of Bunker Hill during the American Revolution.
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Renegade Revolutionary Book Cover

Renegade Revolutionary

Posted: June 03, 2014
This excerpt from Phillip Papas shows the tension building between George Washington and General Charles Lee and their very different military ideologies.
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John Barry book cover

John Barry

Posted: May 20, 2014
Read an excerpt from Tim McGrath about Continental Navy Officer John Barry's actions that turned a seeming disaster into a stunning victory.
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Revolutionary Medicine book cover

Revolutionary Medicine

Posted: May 06, 2014
Read an excerpt from Jeanne Abrams to learn how Washington's effort to prevent smallpox represents one of the first American public health initiatives
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Image Rtr18 Following The Drum

Following the Drum

Posted: April 22, 2014
This excerpt from Nancy Loane focuses on female camp followers during the American Revolution: nurses, cooks, laundresses, and even ladies of privilege.
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