Reference Books || Primary Sources || Revolutionary War || Biographies || Fiction

Reference - IN LIBRARY USE ONLY
Cappon, Lester, ed.   Atlas of Early American History: The Revolutionary Era, 1760-1790 RR/973.3/A88
Maps 157 pp.

Purcell, Edward L., ed. Who was who in the American Revolution  RR973.3/Purcell L

Schmittroth, Linda ed. American Revolution: Primary Sources  RR973.3/Schmittroth L

Primary Sources
Bailyn, Bernard ed. Pamphlets of the American Revolution, 1750-1776.
973.3/B16

Chenoweth, H. Avery. Art of War: Eyewitness U.S. Combat Art from the Revolution Through the Twentieth Century.
382 pp. 758.9355/Chenoweth H

Ewald, Johann. Diary of the American War: A Hessian Journal
Translation of a war diary. 467 pp. 973.3/E94

Meltzer, Milton, ed. The American Revolutionaries : a history in their own words, 1750-1800. Cromwell, 1987.
Letters, diaries, memoirs, interviews, ballads, newspaper articles, and speeches depict life and events in the American colonies in the second half of the eighteenth century, with an emphasis on the years of the Revolutionary War. 201 pp. 973.3/M52/YA

Paine, Thomas. Common sense by Thomas Paine ; with an introduction by Diana Gabaldon 973.309/Paine T
Thomas Paine spurred his fellow Americans into action in 1776 with the publication of this pamphlet. The complete text and many other of Paine's groundbreaking works are included in this updated edition.

Roop, Connie and Peter ed.. The Diary of Joseph Plumb Martin: a Revolutionary War Soldier Benchmark Books, 2001
96 pp. j973.3/Roo

Revolutionary War
American Revolution (DK press) j/973.3/Mur
A visual guide, accompanied by text, to the people, battles, and events of America's war for independence 64 pp.

Bailyn, Bernard.  Faces of revolution : personalities and themes in the struggle for American independence. 973.3/B16.1 296 pp.

Beller, Susan. The Revolutionary War (Letters from the Homefront series). New York : Benchmark Books, 2001. 
96 pp. j973.3/Bel

Bohrer, Melissa Lukeman. Glory, Passion, and Principle: The Story of Eight Remarkable Women at the Core of the American Revolution. Atria, 2003.
Chronicles the lives of 8 women who helped found our nation with courage, sacrifice, and intellect:  Sybil Ludington, Abigail Adams, Nancy Ward, Deborah Sampson, Lydia Darragh, Mercy Otis Warren, Phillis Wheatley, and Molly Pitcher. 271 pp. 973.308/Bohrer M

Cook, Fred. Dawn over Saratoga: The Turning Point of the Revolutionary War. Doubleday, 1973. 188 pp. 973.333/C77 

Ferrie, Richard. The World Turned Upside Down: George Washington and the Battle of Yorktown. Holiday House, 1999
This examination of the events surrounding the pivotal Revolutionary War battle that led to the defeat of the British forces at Yorktown, Virginia, focuses on the central role of General George Washington. 128 pp. 973.3375/Ferrie R

Fleming, Thomas. The First Stroke : Lexington, Concord, and the beginning of the American Revolution. National Park Service, 1978.
95 pp. 973.3311/Fleming T

Fleming, Thomas.  Liberty!: The American Revolution. Viking, 1997.
Based on the PBS series Liberty! 394 pp.973.3/Fleming T

Harling, Frederick ed. and Martin Kaufman. The Ethnic Contribution to the American Revolution. Westfield Bicentennial Committee, 1976.
A history of foreign participation in the American Revolution. 119 pp. 973.3/E84

Harvey, Robert. "A few bloody noses": the realities and mythologies of the American Revolution. Overlook, 2002.
A columnist and member of the British parliament, while characterizing US independence as the defining act in modern world history, offers an account of it without the patriotic sheen Americans are arduous in keeping polished. 478 pp. 973.3/Harvey R

Johansen, Bruce E. Forgotten founders : Benjamin Franklin, the Iroquois, and the rationale for the American Revolution. Gambit, 2002.
970.3/Johansen

Keller, Allan. Colonial America: A Compact History. Hawthorn Books, 1971
Traces the history and describes the character of each of the thirteen colonies from their founding to the eve of the Revolutionary War. 230 pp. 973.2/K29

Laska, Vera O. "Remember the Ladies": Outstanding Women of the American Revolution. Commonwealth of MA, 1976.
100 pp. 973.308/Laska V

Leckie, Robert. The World Turned Upside Down: the Story of the American Revolution. Putnam, 1972.
Traces the Revolutionary War from its causes to the Battle of Yorktown and the surrender of Cornwallis. 255 pp. 973.3/L45.9

Marrin, Albert. The War for Independence: The Story of the American Revolution. Atheneum, 1988.
A detailed account of the Revolutionary War beginning with its origins in the French and Indian War. unpaged 973.3/M35

McDowell, Bart. The Revolutionary War : America's Fight for Freedom. National Geographic Society.
199 pp. 973.3/McDowell B 1972

Smith, Page. A New Age Now Begins : a people's history of the American Revolution, Volumes 1 & 2.
973.3/S65.5/

Stewart, Gail B. The Revolutionary War. Lucent, 1991.
Examines the causes, events, and aftermath of the conflict that has been called "America's first civil war. 12 pp. 973.3/S84

Stokesbury, James. A Short History of the American Revolution
973.3/S87

Wood, W.J. Major Battles and Campaigns : Battles of the Revolutionary War, 1775-1781. Algonquin Books of Chapel Hill, 1990.
unpaged. 973.33/W88/YA

Wood, Gordon. The American Revolution: A History.  Modern Library, 2002.
Story of how and why the American colonies grew apart from and broke with their mother country, establishing a fundamentally new experiment in government. 224 pp. SRL/Wood G

General History (might be a chapter or two in these books)
Eliis, Joseph. The Founding Brothers: The Revolutionary Generation. Knopf, 2000.
Anecdotal biographies about the founders of our country.

Jaffe, Stephen H. Who were the founding fathers?: Two Hundred Years of Reinventing American History. Holt, 1996.

Roberts, Cokie. The Founding Mothers: The Women Who Raised Our Nation. William Morrow, 2004.
The story of early American patriots, including Abagial Adams, Martha Washington, Eliza Pinckney and others. 359 pp. 973.3/Roberts, C

Van Loom, Hendrick Willem. The Story of Mankind. Liveright, 1999.
674 pp. 909/Van Loom H

Biographies
Amler. Jane Frances. Haym Salomon : patriot banker of the American Revolution. Powerkids Press, 2004.
Salomon's fight for religious freedom during the Revolutionary War. 112 pp. jB/Sal

Aronson, Virginia. Ethan Allen. Chelsea House, 2000.
Biography of Revolutionary War leader. 80 pp. jB/Aro

Burgan, Michael. John Adams: Second U.S. President. Chelsea House, 2001
Biography of Revolutionary War leader. 80 pp. jB/Ada

Burns, James MacGregor and Susan Dunn. George Washington. Time, 2004.
A dissection of the strengths and weaknesses of Washington's presidential leadership, from his lasting foreign and economic policies to his polarizing denunciation of political parties and his public silence about slavery. 185 pp. Biog/Washington G

Davis, Kate. Thomas Paine. Blackbirch, 2003.
104 pp. jB/Pai

Fritz, Jean. Traitor, the case of Benedict Arnold. Putnam, 1991.
A study of the life and character of the brilliant Revolutionary War general who deserted to the British for money. 191 pp. Biog/Arnold B/YA

Gaines Ann Graham. John Hancock: President of the Continental Congress. Chelsea House, 2001
Biography of Revolutionary War leader. 80 pp. jB/Han

Gaines Ann Graham. King George III: English Monarch. Chelsea House, 2001
Biography of Revolutionary War leader. 80 pp. jB/Geo

Greene, Meg. Nathanael Greene: Military Leader. Chelsea House, 2001
Biography of Revolutionary War leader. 80 pp. jB/Gre

Grote, JoAnn A.  Lafayette : French Freedom Fighter. Chelsea House, 2001
Biography of Revolutionary War leader. 80 pp. jB/Laf

Grote, JoAnn A.  Patrick Henry. Chelsea House, 1999
Biography of Patrick Henry, the Virginia lawmaker and politician known for his stirring speeches and eloquent writing. 80 pp. jB/Hen

Irvin, Benjamin. Samuel Adams: Son of Liberty, Father of Revolution. Oxford University Press, 2002.
Biography of Revolutionary War leader. 176 pp. Biog/Adams S

Jones, Veda Boyd. Thomas Jefferson : author of the Declaration of independence. Chelsea House (2001) 80 pp. jB/Jef
A biography of the multitalented leader who wrote the Declaration of independence and became the third president of the United States, discussing his childhood, education, involvement in colonial politics, writings, and career as a statesman.

Jones, Veda Boyd. Alexander Hamiliton. Chelsea House, 1999
Describes the career of Alexander Hamilton, who rose from humble beginnings to become a delegate to the Constitutional Convention and the first Secretary of the Treasury. 80 pp. jB/Ham

Kelley , Brent. James Madison : Father of the Constitution. Chelsea House, 2001
Biography of Revolutionary War leader. 80 pp. jB/Mad

Kelley , Brent. James Monroe: American Statesman. Chelsea House, 2001
Biography of Revolutionary War leader. 80 pp. jB/Mon

Fish, Bruce and Becky Durost .Thomas Paine: political writer. Chelsea House, 2001
Biography of Revolutionary War leader. 80 pp. jB/Pai

Lough, Loree. Nathan Hale. Chelsea House, 2000
Presents a biography of the school teacher turned Revolutionary War soldier who served as an American spy and was captured and eventually executed by the British army. 80 pp. jB/Lou

Lutz, Norma Jean. John Paul Jones: Father of the U.S. Navy. Chelsea House, 2000
Biography of the well-known naval leader, John Paul Jones, from his birth in Scotland through his participation in the American Revolution to his death in Paris at the age of forty-five. 80 pp. jB/Jon

Lutz, Norma Jean. Benedict Arnold: Traitor to the Cause. Chelsea House, 1999
Biography of the infamous traitor who sold secret military information to the British army during the American Revolution. 80 pp. jB/Arn

Marrin, Albert.  George Washington and the Founding of a Nation. Dutton, 2001.
Biography of George Washington (1732-1799), the first president of the United States. 276 pp SRL/Washington G, jB/Was

Mello, Tara Baukus. George Washington. Chelsea House, 1999
Biography of George Washington, the general who led the American army in the Revolutionary War and then became the first president of the United States. 80 pp. jB/Was

Miller, Susan Martins. Betsy Ross: American Patriot. Chelsea House, 1999
Biography of the Philadelphia seamstress who helped design and make the first flag to represent the United States of America. 80 pp. jB/Ros

Orlob, Helen. The Wide World of Aaron Burr. Westminster Press, 1968.
Biography of the controversial man who, though a Revolutionary War officer and Vice-President of the United States, killed Alexander Hamilton, was charged with murder and treason, and died a ruined man 127 pp. Biog/Burr A

Parker, Lewis. Charles Cornwallis. Blackbirch Press, 2003
Biography of Revolutionary War general, from the beginning of the American Revolution to the surrender at Yorktown. 104 pp. jB/Cor

Randolph, Ryan P. Betsy Ross: The American flag, and life in a young America. Powerkids, 2002.
The life and times of Quaker  Betsy Ross, including her creation of the first American Flag. 112 pp. jB/Ros

Richmond, Robert P. John Stark, Freedom Fighter. Dale, 1976.
Biography of John Stark, a general in the American army during the Revolutionary War. 82 pp. Biog/Stark J

Stevenson, Augusta. Molly Pitcher, Young Patriot. MacMillan, 1983.
Childhood biography of the Pennsylvania German woman who became a Revolutionary War heroine when she carried water to American soldiers and even fired a cannon herself during the Battle of Monmouth. 192 pp. jB/Pit

Fiction
Avi. The Fighting Ground. Harper & Row, 1987.
Thirteen-year-old Jonathan goes off to fight in the Revolutionary War and discovers the real war is being fought within himself. YA/Avi, jPb/5-7

Blackwood, Gary. The Year of the Hangman. Dutton, 2002.
In 1777, having been kidnapped and taken forcibly from England to the American colonies, fifteen-year-old Creighton becomes part of developments in the political unrest there that may spell defeat for the patriots and change the course of history.  YA/Blackwood G

Collier, James Licoln and Christopher Collier. War comes to Willy Freeman. Delacorte, 1983
A free thirteen-year-old black girl in Connecticut is caught up in the horror of the Revolutionary War and the danger of being returned to slavery when her patriot father is killed by the British and her mother disappears. YA/Collier, J JPb/5-7

Collier, James Licoln and Christopher Collier. My Brother Sam is Dead. Scholastic, 1989
All his life, Tim Meeker has looked up to his brother Sam. Sam's smart and brave -- and is now a part of the American Revolution. Not everyone in town wants to be a part of the rebellion. Most are supporters of the British -- including Tim and Sam's father. With the war soon raging, Tim know he'll have to make a choice -- between the Revolutionaries and the Redcoats . . . and between his brother and his father. 224 pp. YA/Collier, J Pb/YA.

DeFord, Deborah. An Enemy Among Them. Houghton, 1987
A young Hessian soldier questions his loyalty to his king after fighting with the British in America during the Revolutionary War and spending time as a prisoner in the home of a German America family from Pennsylvania. 203 pp.YA/DeFord D

Forbes, Esther. Johnny Tremain. Franklin Watts, 1943.
After injuring his hand, a silversmith's apprentice in Boston becomes a messenger for the Sons of Liberty in the days before the American Revolution.YA/Forbes

Goodman, Joan Elizabeth. Hope’s Crossing. Houghton Mifflin 1998.
When kidnapped by English Loyalists during the Revolutionary War, thirteen-year-old Hope draws on every ounce of courage within her to respond to the ordeal. 212 pp. YA/Goodman J

O'Dell, Scott. Sarah Bishop. Houghton Mifflin, 1980.
Left alone after the deaths of her father and brother who take opposite sides in the War for Independence, and fleeing from the British who seek to arrest her, Sarah Bishop struggles to shape a new life for herself in the wilderness. 184 pp. YA/O'Dell S, Pb/YA

Rinaldi, Ann. Cast Two Shadows: The American Revolution in the South. Harcourt, 1998.
In South Carolina in 1780, fourteen-year-old Caroline sees the Revolutionary War take a terrible toll among her family and friends and comes to understand the true nature of war. 281 pp.YA/Rinaldi A, Pb/YA

Rinaldi, Ann. Finishing Becca: A Story about Peggy Shipman and Benedict Arnold. Harcourt, 1994.
Fourteen-year-old Becca takes a position as a maid in a wealthy Philadelphia Quaker home and witnesses the events that lead to General Benedict Arnold's betrayal of the American forces during the Revolutionary War. 362 pp. Pb/YA

Rinaldi, Ann. Time Enough for Drums. LaurelLeaf, 2000.
Sixteen-year-old Jem struggles to maintain the status quo at home in Trenton, New Jersey, when the family men join the war for independence. She and her family soon find themselves fighting for freedom in whatever ways they can in the Revolutionary War. 256 pp. Pb/YA

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10/21/2007    Back to the top