Resources

Recommended Reading

General – American Revolution

Fischer, David Hackett, Washington’s Crossing, 2004 – This book is part of a series called “Pivotal Moments in American History.” Mr. Fischer provides fascinating details and a dramatic narrative about not just the fateful days of 25/26 December 1776, but so much more. Washington’s challenges in forming an army of citizen soldiers are explained perfectly, as well as the military campaign up to that point in the war.

Ferling , John, Almost A Miracle, 2009 (reprint edition). — A very honest and epic telling of the entire war.

Ruddiman, John, Becoming Men of Some Consequence, — Youth and Military Service in the Revolutionary War, 2014. An in-depth look at the motivations, challenges, and experiences of the young soldiers and officers who fought in the Revolution.

O’Donnell, Patrick K., Washington’s Immortals, 2017.

Nash, Gary, Unknown American Revolution, 2005.

Battles of Trenton and Princeton

Ketchum, Richard M. The Winter Soldiers, 1973 — An exciting, detailed account of the events leading up to and during the decisive winter of 1776-1777. Ketchum paints a vivid picture of the incredible conditions Washington’s army was forced to contend with.

Dwyer, William M., The Day Is Ours, 1983 — Like Ketchum’s book, this book also provides a thrilling, minute-by-minute account of the battles.

McCullough, David, 1776, 2006.

The King’s Broad Arrow/ Colonial New England Lumber/ Machias

Cluff, Tom, Minutemen of the Sea, 1955 — A wonderful historical fiction novel which tells the story of the Battle of Machias. Currently out of print, but I have been able to find copies on eBay, etc.

Manning, Samuel F., New England Masts and the King’s BROAD ARROW, 1979 — Full of information and fantastic illustrations — this book explains the origins of the Broad Arrow laws; the dynamics of the colonial mast trade in North America and the complex process of bringing a tree from the forest to the ocean.

Sherman, Andrew M., Life of Jeremiah O’Brien, Machias. Maine, 1902.

Leamon, James S., Revolution Downeast, 1993.

Historical Figures

George Washington, Alexander Hamilton

– Ron Chernow’s biographies are tomes of information and insight about these incredible men.

Thomas Paine

Nelson, Craig, Thomas Paine, 2006 – Great biography of a truly fascinating man.

Liell, Scott, 46 Pages – Thomas Paine, Common Sense and the Turning Point to Independence, 2003 – A thorough resource for understanding one of the most powerful pamphlets of all time.

Paul Revere

Forbes, Esther, Paul Revere and the World He Lived In, 1942 – Winner of the 1942 Pulitzer Prize, this delightful book makes the reader feel like she/he is sitting with a 100-year old Bostonian, getting all the local gossip. Esther Forbes was a tenacious historian with the gift of beautiful prose. Forbes presents every detail of Paul Revere’s extraordinary life, beginning with his father, Apollos Rivoire’s arrival after fleeing a turbulent France in 1716. A wonderful book for anyone interested in colonial Boston.

Fischer, David Hackett, Paul Revere’s Ride, 1995 – Another terrific book by Mr. Fischer, which as with Washington’s Crossing, illuminates much more than just the events of 18 April, 1775.

John Greenwood

Greenwood, Isaac John, The Revolutionary Services of John Greenwood of Boston and New York, 1775-1783 The De Vinne Press, 1922 – A great first-hand account from Johnny Greenwood, who went on to become Washington’s dentist.

Johann Gutenberg/ Printing press

Christie, Alix, Gutenberg’s Apprentice, 2014 – This book is historical fiction, but it is clear that Ms. Christie, herself a printer, researched every aspect of the story in depth. Christie’s novel brings 15th century Mainz to life with all the religious, economic and political factors which shaped Gutenberg’s implacable endeavor to bring his invention to the world.

Rumford, James, From the Good Mountain – How Gutenberg Changed the World, 2012 – A beautifully illustrated book about the entire process of book-making in the 15th century, and the impact of Gutenberg’s invention.

Philosophy

McCarty, Marietta, Little Big Minds, 2006 – The book that started it all! Wise and wonderful McCarty shares her decades of experience bringing the wonder, power, and gift of philosophy to children.

1777 Smallpox Vaccination

https://hekint.org/2018/03/21/washingtons-deadliest-enemy/

DK and Smithsonian books

The American Revolution: A Visual History, 2016.

Recommended Books/childhood favorites about the American Revolution

You are never too old to read children’s books.

Lawson, Robert – I love all of Robert Lawson’s books! But these two, stories of AR heroes as told by their animal companions, are particularly clever and feature Mr. Lawson’s beautiful illustrations. You will find both of these ‘narrators’ in The King’s Broad Arrow.

• Ben and Me: An Astonishing Life of Benjamin Franklin by His Good Mouse Amos. 1939. The real genius behind Benjamin Franklin’s scientific, literary and diplomatic successes was actually a mouse named Amos.
• Mr. Revere and I: Being an Account of certain Episodes in the Career of Paul Revere, Esq. As Revealed by his Horse. 1953. Paul Revere could not have made his famous ride without an equally famous, devoutly patriotic horse.

Forbes, Esther, Johnny Tremain, 1943.

Collier, James and Christopher, My Brother Sam Is Dead, 1974.

O’Dell, Scott, Sarah Bishop, 1980.