American Revolutions: A Continental History#

Alan Taylor ()
Rating: ★★★★★ (5/5)

I didn’t originally plan to read American Revolutions as my main overview of the American Revolution, but after finishing American Colonies I pivoted immediately—and I am incredibly grateful I did. This book was a fantastic, comprehensive look at the lead-up to the Revolution, the conflict itself, and the turbulent years through the Constitution.

I was surprised by how much I learned. I had expected a familiar retelling of material I had covered in school, but Taylor reframed nearly everything: the factions among the founders, regional divides, the motivations of ordinary Americans, and the broader international context. I walked away with a far more nuanced understanding of the Revolution and the political environment that produced it.

Taylor does not shy away from the contradictions and hypocrisies of the founders, particularly around slavery. He distinguishes clearly between different political factions, regional interests, and ideological divides, giving a far more honest and complete picture than the mythologized patriotic narratives often taught in the United States.

Covering foreign powers, enslaved people, religion, economics, politics, and military decision-making, American Revolutions is readable, accessible, and engaging from start to finish. It pairs perfectly with American Colonies and should be considered essential reading on the period.