Four books that celebrate the Fourth

There is no shortage of books on the American Revolution, with many published in anticipation of America’s semiquincentennial. If you are not sure where to start, here are four older books that merit a place on your summer reading list.

Professional history

Robert Middlekauf’s The Glorious Cause (Oxford University Press 1982) is a classic. Written more than 40 years ago and a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize, Middlekauf’s work provides a sweeping history of the period. Reading the book is equivalent to taking a college course on the American Founding, and it’s often found on university syllabuses.

The book covers ideological battles, military engagements, politics, and relevant leaders. Middlekauf offers insightful analysis along the way, reminiscent of a professor waxing philosophical. The book benefits from the author’s engaging style and dry humor. His coverage of the debates in the British Parliament over the rebellious colonies, for instance, is not only captivating but makes you realize the internal turmoil the rebellion created in the mother country.

As a work of professional history, The Glorious Cause may not appeal to all readers due to its length, depth, and chronological format. In addition, the author’s bird’s-eye view sometimes overlooks interesting anecdotes and stories that make the Revolution such a compelling human drama. That said, the book remains an excellent single-­volume source for understanding the American Founding, from the Colonial era through the Constitutional Convention.

The Human Story

Readers looking for a more focused take on the Revolution—particularly the events of 250 years past—should start with David McCullough’s 1776 (Simon & Schuster 2005).

This bestselling book from the Pulitzer Prize–­winning author focuses on the events and battles of that critical year of the Revolution. The narrow focus allows McCullough to provide the color and background that a larger work like Middlekauf’s lacks.

McCullough is a master storyteller and creates the sense of urgency, peril, awe, and appreciation that characterizes many of his works. Washington comes across as the central character of the book, the indispensable man who holds the military together. McCullough also gives high praise to many of Washington’s subordinates, like Nathanael Greene and Joseph Reed (though Reed later has a falling out with Washington).

British officers are also given fair treatment as their weaknesses are examined. Gen. Howe, for example, never seemed to be in much of a hurry. A little more energy by Howe might have secured victory for King George and ended the Revolution before it began.

A recurrent theme of the book is how close the colonies came to losing the war in 1776, particularly after the disastrous Battle of Long Island. McCullough covers key battles, but this is not a military history. The Revolution is presented as a human story, with McCullough using diaries and letters to provide a more personal, intimate account of the War of Independence. It’s the story of the “common man”—from farmer militia to young British regulars—that makes 1776 such a delight to read.

Beyond the battles, politics, and intellectual debates over liberty, at the heart of the American Revolution lies the tale of men and women caught up in extraordinary circumstances who did their best to defend what they believed was right. It’s the kind of book that makes you wonder how you might have behaved had you lived through the war.

Lighter and Accessible

Killing England: The Brutal Struggle for American Independence (Henry Holt and Co. 2017) by Bill O’Reilly and Martin Dugard is an enjoyable read that covers all the major events and players in a novelesque ­format. The book never gets bogged down in scholarly minutiae, but it covers the major events of the American Revolution, making it a good place to start for readers looking for a lighter, accessible refresher. Attempts to explain what leaders like Washington or Adams were thinking, as well as the literary license taken to flesh out settings, are among the reasons professional historians dismiss such works. But the book is a good introduction, and it’s fun to read.

Artistic license

If you want a novel to read by the pool, you might consider Rise to Rebellion (Ballantine Books 2001) by award-­winning novelist Jeff Shaara. A fictionalized account of the Revolution, the novel explores the growing tensions between the Colonies and Britain, culminating in the eventual move to separation.

Conversations and motivations are largely the author’s invention, but the storyline generally follows the historical events of the Revolution and gives the reader a good sense of what it was like to live through the conflict. John Adams, his cousin Sam Adams, and Ben Franklin are the heroes of this first installment, which leads to the Declaration of Independence. The novel is followed by a sequel, The Glorious Cause (2002), which focuses largely on George Washington and his military engagements leading up to Yorktown. Both novels provide an entertaining way to immerse yourself in the period while also learning about the major events, players, and battles of the American Revolution. Readers should keep in mind that the dialogue is artistic license to produce compelling drama. With few exceptions, it is not based on historical records.

While we celebrate the majesty and triumph of 1776, we should not forget the sacrifice of that critical year. As John Adams wrote to his wife Abigail: “I am well aware of the Toil and Blood and Treasure, that it will cost Us to maintain this Declaration, and support and defend these States.—Yet through all the Gloom I can see the Rays of ravishing Light and Glory. I can see that the End is more than worth all the Means.”

—Christopher Hammons is a professor of political science and the founding director of the Morris Family Center for Law & Liberty at Houston Christian University