10 books to read about women in the American Revolution

Remember the ladies! Who can forget this admonishment from Abigail Adams to her husband as they discussed the creation of the new American government? I love to read about American history and the women in the American Revolution. So I decided to share some of my recommendations for books about women in the American Revolution. This list isn’t complete. These are books that I have personally read and enjoyed. I have a lot more on my bookshelf to be read. Please feel free to add any books you’ve enjoyed in the comments!

First Ladies

Martha Washington: An American Life by Patricia Brady. Considering how many biographies you can find on George Washington, you won’t find too many about Martha. This is a comprehensive examination of the life of Martha Dandridge Custis Washington.

Abigail Adams: A Life by Woody Holton examines the whole life of Abigail Smith Adams and the contributions she made to our country. Dear Abigail: The Intimate Lives and Revolutionary Ideas of Abigail Adams and Her Two Remarkable Sisters by Diane Jacobs is a composite biography of Abigail and her sisters. It’s told mainly through their prolific correspondence, so it really gives you a sense of what their lives were like.

Martha Jefferson Randolph, Daughter of Monticello: Her Life and Times by Cynthia A. Kierner. Thomas Jefferson’s only surviving child served as her father’s First Lady during his two terms in the White House. This book explores her life, her rather tragic marriage, and her untimely death.

More women in the American Revolution

Founding Mothers: The Women Who Raised Our Nation by Cokie Roberts offers a solid overview of many women in the American Revolution. If you’re going to read one book about the women in this era, this is definitely a contender. I personally enjoyed Cokie Roberts’ writing style.

Betsy Ross and the Making of America by Marla Miller delves into the actual life behind the myth of the legendary seamstress. Betsy Ross actually lost her first two husbands in the Revolution. She also managed an upholstery business, and this book gives some interesting context and history of that industry in Philadelphia.

The Muse of the Revolution: The Secret Pen of Mercy Otis Warren and the Founding of a Nation by Nancy Rubin Stuart. Mercy Otis Warren was a poet, playwright, and avid letter-writer. Her works also helped stir up patriotic fervor in the northern colonies and Boston in the lead-up to the Revolution. It’s a short and easy read.

Book of Ages: The Life and Opinions of Jane Franklin by Jill Lepore researches the life of Ben Franklin’s only surviving sibling. Ben and Jane were close and constant pen pals. This is another interesting read from the prospective of a Patriot woman close to (but not married to) a Founding Father.

Caty: A Biography of Catherine Littlefield Greene by John F. Stegeman looks into Caty (or Kitty) Greene, darling of her husband and George Washington. Caty became a welcome presence during winter camps during the war. She was widowed tragically young and hired Eli Whitney to work as a tutor to her children.

Defiant Brides The Untold Story of Two Revolutionary-Era Women and the Radical Men They Married by Nancy Rubin Stuart. Defiant Brides compares and contrasts the lives of Lucy Flucker Know and Peggy Shippen Arnold. They were both the daughters of Loyalist families, but their lives obviously took very different turn. This was quite interesting, too.

Looking for more book ideas? Check out my Recent Reads for more reviews.

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