Revolution: The Birth of the Greatest Nation in the History of the World

by Eric Metaxas

There has never been a nation like the United States of America.

Its impact on the world is unprecedented in all of human history. After two and a half centuries of existence, it is difficult to imagine what the world would be like without it.

But how did it come into existence? Who has really done justice to this astonishing story? Innumerable books have been written about the American Revolution, but the definitive treatment of the full story simply does not exist—certainly not in our generation. And it’s a story, actually a host of stories, that every single American really must know and celebrate.

Who better to tell it than Eric Metaxas, historian and author of seven New York Times bestsellers, including the million-selling biography of Dietrich Bonhoeffer? And what better time for such a book to appear than the 250th anniversary of America’s birth?

The Bicentennial in 1976 fell at a rather awkward cultural moment, following the debacles of Vietnam and Watergate and smack-dab in the middle of the especially unexciting presidency of Gerald Ford. The contrast with where America is now could hardly be greater. There is an undeniable explosion of patriotism and a concomitant hunger for the grand and sweeping epic story of our fabled founding. Millions of Americans have adopted the slogan “Make America Great Again.” But in order to do that, we must go back to the beginning and must retell the great story that made us great in the first place.

Metaxas’s The Revolution will do precisely that. At more than 500 pages—including photos, maps, and illustrations—it will be definitive and sweeping, but it will also be fabulously entertaining, containing the dazzling array of extraordinary stories every American should know, ranging from the many events that led to Lexington and Concord, all the way through the twists and turns of the war itself, until Yorktown and beyond.

Genres: History

640 pages, Hardcover

Expected publication June 2, 2026

About the author

In a decidedly eclectic career, Eric Metaxas has written for VeggieTales, Chuck Colson, Rabbit Ears Productions and the New York Times, four things not ordinarily in the same sentence. He is a best-selling author whose biographies, children’s books, and works of popular apologetics have been translated into more than 25 languages.

Reviews

[Charissa Wilkinson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this book courtesy of NetGalley for the purpose of a fair and honest review.

Overview: The United States has been around as a nation for nearly 250 years now. How did we become a nation? It's been a while since many of us have studied the Revolutionary War. What drove men like John and Samuel Adams, Benjamin Franklin, George Washington, and more to turn on the mother country of Great Britian? Let's find out.

Dislikes: The British Redcoats were brutal. What they did on the American Continent was savage by any means by which they can be measured.

Those who were willing to betray their fledging country all seem to be cursed with a fragile, yet overblown, ego.

Likes: George Washington is usually called a deist by many today. I'm not so sure that they are right. How many deists would join a collective designed to push against deism?

He also had a presence that could control the masses. Grant he was a tall and rather strong man. Just ask the two foolish men who started a brawl in the city, I believe that it was either near Boston or New York City.

John Adams and his cousin Samuel worked hard to bring about the United States as we know it today.

It's great to see how many of these men didn't care about what branch of Christianity, or Judaism, that their fellow men were a part of, just as long as they had a strong moral compass that can only be brought about by a belief in God.

We get a lot of images, paintings, and portraits in this book. There are also plenty of footnotes, and references to other books that may help.

Conclusion: This is fascinating book. If you are interested in the Founding Era, then this book is for you. Enjoy the read.

[Jeannine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Revolution by Eric Metaxas was an enthralling historical read! Being a native Bostonian I am more than familiar with much of the history of the Revolution, especially the part that happened here in Bost but I found the author was able to draw out or perhaps painting a fuller background picture than I’d had before reading this book. I’ve read several other books by Metaxas and as with those I loved how readable it is; he writes narrative nonfiction in a way that feels smooth, engaging, and easy to sink into. I was impressed by the breadth of material he covers. The book moves across people, ideas, and events in a way that makes the American founding feel expansive and alive. It never felt narrow or dry to me, instead, he kept building a bigger picture, which made the whole subject feel more vivid. At times it almost read like fiction. The pacing, scene-setting, and sense of momentum gave it that page-turning quality I usually associate with the strongest novels. I found that especially impressive in a history book, because it made the story not just informative but genuinely enjoyable to read. This is a wonderful book that will be available as we celebrate 250 years of The United States this summer. I highly recommend this read as enjoyable and eye opening.

#Revolution #NetGalley # #SkyhorsePublishing

[LittleRead · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was a child in 1976, but I remember reading so many books and stories about our country and fell in love with our history. This book is EXACTLY what I needed for our Semiquincentennial celebration. I will be reading this for the Summer to celebrate. Savoring each and every entry.

I have also order six copies for friends and family who need a reminder of what was at stake, what was fought for and won and why it is still important today. I cannot recommend this book enough. Especially this year!