Patriotic Books to Read on Independence DayLike this list

19 items

• Washington

  a Life

  Chernow, Ron

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  Ron Chernow, the American historian who wrote the book that inspired that little show Hamilton, brings us what is probably the most expansive and engrossing biography of George Washington. Chernow’s details of Washington’s rise to becoming the…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• 1776

  McCullough, David G.

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  Not to be confused with the stage musical of the same name, McCullough’s definitive account of the year that changed this country’s history forever is considered one of the best, and most dramatic, examinations of the start of the American…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• The Hemingses of Monticello

  An American Family

  Gordon-Reed, Annette

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  Read about the intricate history of the enslaved Hemings family and their relation to Thomas Jefferson, who had seven children with Sally Hemings. Until recently, the extent of the Hemings family's relations with Jefferson were widely unknown,…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• The Proud and the Free

  Dailey, Janet

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  Dailey tells the story of a Cherokee princess who finds herself at a crossroads when the man she loves takes drastic measures to protect their people, and the decisions he makes eventually leads to the Trail of Tears.

• Redcoat

  Cornwell, Bernard

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  A historical novel that picks up right in the thick of the Revolutionary War, Autumn 1777, Redcoat details the shifting loyalties and allegiances on the ground of our nascent country. Against a backdrop of families torn apart by war, and rallying…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• Rise to Rebellion

  Shaara, Jeff, 1952-

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  This 2001 historical fiction novel details the events leading up to the American Revolution, starting with the Boston Massacre and leading up to the signing of the Declaration of Independence. Rise to Rebellion tells its story with characters that…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• Book of Ages

  the Life and Opinions of Jane Franklin

  Lepore, Jill, 1966-

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  Jill Lepore delves into the unexamined life of Ben Franklin's younger sister, Jane, who — unlike most of her 18th century, female peers — could read and write. Jane's playful personality is captured in letters she wrote her brother (who taught her…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• My Brother Sam Is Dead

  Collier, James Lincoln, 1928-

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  This 1974 coming-of-age tale follows Tim Meeker, a young man in Connecticut during the American Revolution, who admires his brother fighting for the rebels and yearns to prove himself as a capable man, too. During the epic adventures he seeks out,…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• Johnny Tremain

  Forbes, Esther

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  You might have read this children's history classic in school, but it's worth a second look: The story of the American Revolution is told through the eyes of a 14-year-old newspaper messenger who finds his way into the defining events of our…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• Alex & Eliza

  a Love Story

  De la Cruz, Melissa, 1971-

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  Known for the popular Witches of East End novels, Melissa de la Cruz has taken on the romance of American It-couple Alexander Hamilton and Elizabeth Schuyler with Alex and Eliza: A Love Story. The tale of the budding romance between the daughter of…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• Founding Brothers

  the Revolutionary Generation

  Ellis, Joseph J.

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  Ellis explores the founding of our country through six crucial events and the brilliant but complex men involved: the duel between Alexander Hamilton and Aaron Burr; George Washington's moving Farewell Address; John Adams' presidency and…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• Washington

  a Life

  Chernow, Ron

  Add Washington to your for later shelf

• Book of Ages

  the Life and Opinions of Jane Franklin

  Lepore, Jill, 1966-

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• 1776

  Excerpts From the Acclaimed History, With Letters, Maps, and Seminal Artwork

  McCullough, David G.

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• The Hemingses of Monticello

  An American Family

  Gordon-Reed, Annette

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• Founding Brothers

  the Revolutionary Generation

  Ellis, Joseph J.,

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• My Brother Sam Is Dead

  Collier, James Lincoln, 1928-

  Add My Brother Sam Is Dead to your for later shelf

• Rise to Rebellion

  Shaara, Jeff, 1952-

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• Alex and Eliza

  a Love Story

  de la Cruz, Melissa

  Add Alex and Eliza to your for later shelf