Which are the best books to read on July 4th, US Independence Day? These are recommendations from our readers, via Twitter. Thank you @Femme_Mal, @mattpergo, @KarenBarna4, @SCodyLoftin.
Rights of Man
by Thomas Paine
The Rights of Man by Thomas Paine was, literally, a revolutionary book.
Democracy in America
by Alexis de Tocqueville & Harvey Mansfield and Delba Winthrop (translators)
"Among the new objects that attracted my attention during my stay in the United States, none struck my eye more vividly than the equality of conditions. I discovered without difficulty the enormous influence that this primary fact exerts on the course of society; it gives a certain direction to public spirit, a certain turn to the laws, new maxims to those who govern and particular habits to the governed."
—Alexis de Tocqueville, Democracy in America (Harvey Mansfield and Delba Winthrop translation), opening paragraph.
“Zinn’s book has sold over two million copies. It’s probably the most popular work of nonfiction that any radical has written in American history. It’s a history of what he calls the “1%” and the “99%”.” Read more...
The best books on The Roots of Radicalism
Michael Kazin, Historian
“Instead of writing a massive 700-page book, Ellis just gives you seven events which will tell you everything you need to know.” Read more...
The best books on Horticulture
Andrea Wulf, Historian
The Ideological Origins of the American Revolution
by Bernard Bailyn
***Winner of the Pulitzer Prize for History 1968***
Bernard Bailyn was interviewed by Five Books in 2011 on the best books on Atlantic History.
