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Bibliography of books about the
American Revolutionary War

 

Forgotten Patriots

Understanding the role of American men, women, and children of African descent during the Revolutionary War has been captured by several historians. These books provide valuable insights into the often-overlooked contributions and experiences of Black soldiers during the American Revolutionary War and other historical periods. We intend over the upcoming months to bring forward a more comprehensive bibliography of primary and secondary sources of publications to be used for your research or teaching assignments.
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"Black Soldiers in the Revolutionary War" by Marion Lena Starkey - A classic work that provides an overview of the experiences and contributions of Black soldiers during the Revolutionary War.
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"Forgotten Patriots: African American and American Indian Patriots in the Revolutionary War" by Eric Grundset and National Society Daughters of the American Revolution - A comprehensive resource that highlights the stories of African American and American Indian soldiers and patriots during the Revolution.
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"The Black Phalanx: A History of the Negro Soldiers of the United States in the Wars of 1775-1812, 1861-1865" by Joseph T. Wilson - An early 19th-century account of the service of Black soldiers in the Revolutionary War and the War of 1812.
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"African American Faces of the American Revolution: An Illustrated History" by Ron Coddington - This book features portraits and biographical sketches of Black soldiers who fought in the Revolutionary War.
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"The Invisible Soldier: The Experience of the Black Soldier, World War II to the War in Iraq" by Mary Penney - Although not exclusively focused on the Revolutionary War, this book provides a broader historical context for the experiences of Black soldiers in various conflicts.
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"The Negro in the American Revolution" by Benjamin Quarles - This book explores the role of Black soldiers and the broader contributions of African Americans during the Revolutionary War.
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"African Americans and the American Revolution: A Documentary History" edited by Woody Holton - A collection of primary source documents that shed light on the experiences of Black soldiers and the challenges they faced during the Revolutionary era.
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"Liberty's Exiles: American Loyalists in the Revolutionary World" by Maya Jasanoff - While not exclusively about Black soldiers, this book discusses the experiences of Black loyalists who fled the American Revolution and their subsequent struggles.
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"The African American Soldier: From Crispus Attucks to Colin Powell" by Michael Lee Lanning - A comprehensive look at the role of Black soldiers in American military history, including their service during the Revolutionary War.
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 "In Search of the Racial Frontier: African Americans in the American West, 1528-1990" by Quintard Taylor - While focusing on a broader historical context, this book touches on the experiences of African Americans, including veterans of the Revolutionary War, who migrated to the American West.
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 “Brothers in liberty: The story of the free black Haitians who fought for American Independence,” by Phillip Thomas Tucker (2023). Stackpole Books. Essex, Connecticut and Blue Ridge Summit, Pennsylvania. In-depth details about the Chasseurs-Voluntaires de Saint-Domingue – the largest Black military unit in the American Revolution, comprised of free men, sons of French fathers and enslaved mothers, and mostly sugar plantation owners.
   

 

Causes and Consequences of War

These books cover a wide range of topics related to the American Revolutionary War and should provide a solid foundation for understanding this pivotal period in American history.
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 "1776" by David McCullough - A Pulitzer Prize-winning book that provides a detailed account of the critical year in the American Revolution.
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 "The Glorious Cause: The American Revolution, 1763-1789" by Robert Middlekauff - A comprehensive and well-regarded overview of the entire Revolutionary period.
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 "Founding Brothers: The Revolutionary Generation" by Joseph J. Ellis - A study of the relationships and conflicts among the Founding Fathers during and after the Revolution.
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 "Washington: A Life" by Ron Chernow - A biography of George Washington that explores his leadership during the Revolutionary War and his contributions to the birth of the United States.
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 "The First Salute: A View of the American Revolution" by Barbara W. Tuchman - A book that examines the international aspects of the Revolutionary War, including the role of the Dutch Republic in recognizing American independence.
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 "Bunker Hill: A City, A Siege, A Revolution" by Nathaniel Philbrick - A detailed account of the events leading up to and including the Battle of Bunker Hill.
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 "Revolutionary Summer: The Birth of American Independence" by Joseph J. Ellis - Focuses on the summer of 1776 and the Declaration of Independence.
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 "Valley Forge" by Bob Drury and Tom Clavin - An in-depth look at the difficult winter at Valley Forge and the transformation of the Continental Army.
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 "1775: A Good Year for Revolution" by Kevin Phillips - An exploration of the events of 1775, a year of significant changes and clashes leading to the Revolutionary War.
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 "Saratoga: Turning Point of America's Revolutionary War" by Richard M. Ketchum - Examines the importance of the Battles of Saratoga in the context of the overall war.
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 "The Ideological Origins of the American Revolution" by Bernard Bailyn - A classic work that delves into the intellectual and ideological roots of the Revolution.
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 "The American Revolution: A History" by Gordon S. Wood - A comprehensive overview of the Revolution, its causes, and its consequences.
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 "George Washington's War: The Saga of the American Revolution" by Robert Leckie - A narrative history of the Revolutionary War with a focus on George Washington's role.
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 "A People's History of the American Revolution" by Ray Raphael - An account that emphasizes the experiences and contributions of ordinary people during the Revolution.
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 "The Battle of Bunker Hill: A History Perspectives Book" by Christopher Forest - Aimed at younger readers, this book offers a perspective on the Battle of Bunker Hill.
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 “Roster of soldiers and Patriots of the American Revolution buried in Indiana,” compiled and edited by Mrs. Roscoe C. O’Byrne, Chairman, Brookville, Indiana. Published by the Indiana Daughters of the American Revolution. Each entry has some biographical and military details with the burial location. Vol. 1 (1938). Vol. 2 (unknown) Vol. 3 (1980).
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  “The Official Roster – of the Soldiers of the American Revolution Buried in the State of Ohio,” by the Daughters of the American Revolution of Ohio. Many entries have some biographical and military details with the burial location. Vol. 1 (1929). Vol. 2 (1938) Vol. 3 (1959).