Virtual Only

In the lead-up to America’s 250th anniversary, this book club explores history through both fiction and non-fiction that challenge familiar narratives and invite fresh perspectives on the American past. Each selection encourages readers to look beyond the textbook version of history and consider the people, choices, and hidden stories that shaped the nation.

July Selection: Revolutionary Summer: the Birth of American Independence by Joseph J. Ellis

In July’s selection, we turn to a vivid work of narrative history that brings the turbulent summer of 1776 into sharp focus. Moving between Philadelphia, New York City, and London, the book traces the precarious path toward independence through the perspectives of political leaders, soldiers, and ordinary citizens. By weaving together battlefield realities with the high-stakes debates of the Continental Congress, this selection highlights the uncertainty, risk, and contingency at the nation’s founding—inviting readers to reconsider the Revolution not as an inevitable triumph, but as a fragile and deeply human moment in history.