American Revolution Reading Challenge 2013
War Through the Generation’s 2013 reading challenge will be the American Revolution. The challenge will run from January 1, 2013, through December 31, 2013.
Rules:
This year you have options when reading your fiction, nonfiction, graphic novels, etc. with the American Revolution as the primary or secondary theme.
Books can take place before, during, or after the war, so long as the conflicts that led to the war or the war itself are important to the story. Books from other challenges count so long as they meet the above criteria.
Dip: Read 1-3 books in any genre with the American Revolution as a primary or secondary theme.
Wade: Read 4-10 books in any genre with the American Revolution as a primary or secondary theme.
Swim: Read 11 or more books in any genre with the American Revolution as a primary or secondary theme.
Additionally, we’ve decided that since there are so many great movies out there about the American Revolution, you can substitute or add a movie or two to your list this year and have it count toward your totals.
**Note**
*Participants anywhere in the world are eligible for most prizes in the post-challenge drawing!**
*Prize drawings will be for participants finishing the minimum 1-3 books.
*Participants can always read more than their initial goals, and even if you sign up for 11+, but read just 1-3 books, and you’ve officially completed the challenge and are eligible for prizes.
You can decide which books you’d like to read right away, or you can choose them during the course of the challenge. Check out the Recommended Reading: American Revolution page for suggestions.
How to sign up:
Leave a comment on this page with your reading goal. Please spread the word about the challenge on your blogs. Feel free to do a sign up post and leave a link to your post here.
Everyone who signs up will be listed on the American Revolution Reading Challenge Participants page.
Sign-ups will be ongoing.
**Once you’ve signed up, please visit the Buttons page to snag some for your blog for use in your sign up post and book reviews! (New American Revolution Reading Challenge buttons)**
Share your reviews with fellow participants:
If you have a blog and have reviewed a book you’re counting toward the challenge, please e-mail the review links to warthroughgenerations AT gmail DOT com. We’d be happy to post the first paragraph (or the first few sentences, depending on paragraph length) and a link to your blog.
If you don’t have a blog but would like to share your thoughts on a book you’ve read for the challenge, please write up a review and e-mail it to warthroughgenerations AT gmail DOT com. Please include the name you wish to be displayed as author of the review.
If you have any questions, please e-mail us at warthroughgenerations AT gmail DOT com. We hope you will join us for a year filled with great books!
***Please follow War Through the Generations in your feed readers and on Twitter @wargenerations and Facebook for updates, giveaways, and more***
84 Comments
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I’m in! So happy you chose The American Revolution. Can’t wait to start reading. I’m in for the wade at 4 to 10, but may read more. I’ll choose books as I go along. Will be posting this week about the challenge.
Annette from http://impressionsinink.blogspot.com
I’ve got you listed on the participants page!
I’m in! And I think my daughter will read along this year as well. Her class will be doing a big unit on the American Revolution, so the timing is perfect.
I’m signing up at the dip level, since I’m still reading books on WWI.
Great! Charity, you’re on the participants page.
I’m in as well but can’t think of any titles on the American Revolution. I will have to look through your suggestions. I guess I’ll only dip.
Caroline, you’ve been added to the participants page! We have some titles on the recommended reading page already, but there are many more to come!
I’m in for wade.I will work in a novel somewhere – maybe Graves’ Sgt Lamb novels.
Bailyn, Bernard. Faces of Revolution: Personalities and Themes in the Struggle for American Independence. New York: Knopf, 1990.
Gross, Robert A. The Minutemen and Their World. Farrar, Straus & Giroux, 2001.
Raphael, Ray. A People’s History of the American Revolution. New York: HarperCollins, 2002.
Wood, Gordon S. The Radicalism of the American Revolution. New York: Knopf, 1992.
Paine, Thomas. Common Sense. New York: Penguin, 1982.
I’m in again next year. I think I’ll sign up at the wade level. Not too familiar with American Revolution literature, so I’ll be looking through your list of recommended reading and reading the reviews as they come in. Thanks for continuing the challenge for another year.
Matt and Cheryl, thanks for joining us again for 2013′s challenge. I’ve added you to the participants list. And Matt, keep those book recommendations coming. We’ll be adding them to the list.
I am in for the wade and look forward to reading about the American Revolution throughout the year. I have visited many American Revolution historical sites so am very inspired. As a child I touched the Liberty Bell in Philadelphia and saw Betsy Ross’ house. As an American History teacher in junior high and high school I was dedicated to seeing the American Dream passed on to a new generation. This will be a great challenge.
[...] the Generations from Jan. 1 through Dec. 31, 2013. Those interested in joining us should visit the sign up page and select a reading level. You only need to read 1 book with the American Revolution as a [...]
This sounds like great fun! Count me in for Swim!
soniafogal and Julia, you’ve both been added to the participants page! Thanks for joining us.
I will participate in this wonderful reading challenge, although I may just take a “dip”. Thanks for hosting this challenge. I expect to learn a great deal this year about the American Revolution.
Suko! Thanks for joining us in 2013. We’ve added you to the participants page.
I’m definitely joining for 2013. I think I might have a few on my shelves that might qualify.
Enjoyed the WWI Challenge. Will enter the American Revolution Challenge at the Wade level for now. Have Joseph Ellis, David McCullough and Walter Isaacson TBR.
Oh my gosh, I almost forgot this challenge! I’m going to dip in; trying to make sure that while I’m challenging myself this year, I’m not also stressing myself.
Shonna, Lorraine, Lisa:
We’ve added you all to the participants page. Shonna, we put you at the dip level since you didn’t really say what level you’d be reading. If you want it changed, let us know.
Sorry, I said my level in my post, but not in my comment. My level is Wade. Thanks.
I’m in!
Here’s my announcement page — super excited. While I’m committing to ‘dip’, here’s hoping I bust that goal! 
Sounds like a great plan — I’ll try for the wade level. Eva
Thanks, Shonna for the update. We’ve made the change.
Audra: Thanks for joining us in 2013. We’ve added you to the participants page and we hope you bust the goal you’ve set.
Eva, we’ve got you listed on the participants page.
[...] 2013 I am going to participate in the War Through the Generations American Revolution reading challenge. I’m rather excited about it and went through my shelves to see what I already own. I [...]
I just found out about this challenge. I’m a big fan of Diana Gabaldon’s OUTLANDER series (books 5-7, especially, would fit this challenge very well) and always looking for good books to read about that time period. I should be able to manage at least 4 books for this challenge in 2013. And I’ll spread the word among OUTLANDER fans. Thanks for doing this!
Thanks for the book recommendations, Karen. We’ll be sure to get them on the recommendations page. We’ve added you to the American Revolution Participants page. Welcome.
I’m in…taking a Dip! http://avidseriesreader.blogspot.com/2012/12/2013-american-revolution-reading.html
Avid Series Reader, we’ve signed you up on the participants page.
I am going to wade through this.
Always one of my favortie challenges. Going to Dip into the American Revolution.
I’m going to dip into this one
I’ll be Wading into the Revolution. My post: http://www.careyfamily.org/2013-reading-challenges/
Ann, Nise’, Emily, and Sue, we’ve got you on the participants page. Thanks for joining us!
I am in for another great challenge!! Sign me up at the dip level. Thanks!!!
Thanks for this challenge – I love reading about the American Revolution. Please sign me up for the Dip level. My entry post is here: http://themaidenscourt.blogspot.com/2012/12/war-through-generations-2013-reading.html
Laura and Heather, you’re on the participants page. Thanks for joining us!
[...] Through the Generations’ 2013 reading challenge will be the American Revolution. The challenge will run from January 1, 2013, through December 31, 2013. The challenge is hosted by [...]
I’m signing up this year at ‘Dip’ level.
http://undermyappletree.net/2012/12/27/2013-challenges/#2013war
Sign me up at the swim level. Saw the challenge on Outlandish
Observations website.
I am signing up for the Swim! My blog is plscarney.wordpress.com
I have provide the wrong blog link. Here is the correct link: http://plscarney.blogspot.com
[...] American Revolution Reading Challenge 2013, sponsored by War Through the Generations. [...]
I’m in for the wade level. I am excited to get back into reading!
I’m signing up at the Wade level so I can read along with my teenagers as they study the American Revolution, too. http://www.threeplustwo.net/2012/12/and-still-more-reading-challenges.html
Hello! I came to your site via Karen’s blog “Outlandish Observations.” I would love to join the challenge, too—at the swim level (One of God’s gift to me is the ability to read like a house on fire, for which I am most grateful!)
Do I need to join Facebook, Twitter, or War Through the Generations to participate? I am really excited about this—I love this period,
Martha
I’m in at the dip level. Here’s my sign-up post: http://wildmoobooks.blogspot.com/2012/12/american-revolution-sign-up-post-for.html. Your list of recommended titles will be a huge help for this challenge!
What a great way to learn more about history – I am going to join this year as a wader but who knows…….I will put the button on my blog and also comment about the books I am reading. My blog is http://chrisaiton.blogspot.com/
I am aiming for the Dip Level. Here is my sign-up post: http://jaynesbooks.blogspot.com/2012/12/war-through-generations-reading.html
I’m excited about wading into some of the American Revolution books in my TBR piles. Don’t have a blog yet, but hope to develop one once I retire.
I am in for the dip! I too am hoping that Diana Gabaldon’s book will be out this year which will count! Not sure what else I will read. Maybe Christine Blevins will have a new book out?
http://bookwormsdinner.blogspot.com/2013/01/2013.html
I am definitely in again this year at the Wade Level of 4-10 books. I am excited about this challenge since I haven’t read much about the American Revolution. Thank You for hosting this reading challenge again this year, Anna and Serena, and have a Happy New Year.
Thanks to everyone who has signed up so far. The participant’s list has been updated.
Martha: You don’t need a blog or a Facebook or Twitter account to participate. We invite those without blogs to submit reviews to us via email (warthroughgenerations at gmail.com) and we will post them on the main page.
I’m in for the Wade level.
Carrie, we’ve got you on the participants list!
I’m doing some research that overlaps the American Revolution, and this will be the perfect way to keep me focused! Put me down for the swim level. (And I’d be more than happy to make suggestions of books I’ve already read, for those who’d like them.)
I’ll be joining at the Dip level. My sign up post is here: http://teaandagoodbook.blogspot.com/2013/01/2012-reading-challenge-wrap-up-2013.html
Since this is my first challenge with you, I’m going to start with a dip of 1-3 books.
Sugar! I just ordered a book but then realised its the American revolution and not the civil war this year…wasn’t paying attention! Being British, I really am not familiar with any part of this history except watching John Adams (awesome series).
Anyway, I’ll def be looking at the list for something because I really want to join in this year;)
Tamesin, Lisa, and Kirsten: You’re on the participants page. Thanks for joining us!
Tamesin: Please feel free to email us any titles you’ve read for inclusion on the recommended reading page.
Nemogirl: We hope you’ll join us! Just pop back over and let us know what level and we’ll add you to the participants page.
I’m going for Dip.
I’ll be posting on goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/review/list/2704384-jessica?format=html&shelf=2013-war-through-the-generations
[...] I do want to participate in the Mount TBR Challenge, Historical Fiction RC, Audio Book RC, and the American Revolution RC. I want to read more of the books I own – especially those really big ones that often get [...]
This looks interesting. I can think of at least 5 American Revolution themed books on my to-read list, so I’ll sign up for a wade.
Thanks for hosting this. Looking forward to reading and posting. I’ll be posting here:
http://severalfourmany.wordpress.com/
Jessica, Mike: You’re on the participants page.
severalfourmany: I’ve added you to the participants page, but I hope you’ll stop in and let us know what level you’re planning to read.
Thanks for participating!
I will be joining at the Dip level of participation. I want to read The Federalist Papers and Thomas Paine’s Common Sense.
I’m in – swimming. Love history especially Revolutionary War period.
I am in! Going for the dip level. Post will be up at Anglers Rest over the next day or so. http://anglersrest.net
[...] will also participate again in Anna’s and Serena’s War Through the Generations Challenge. The topic this year is the American Revolution. I haven’t read anything about this period [...]
I think I will be going in for a dip. I’m not a fast reader and I like to soak in everything a book has to offer. Also, the books I’ve looked at that are available in the UK tend to be long reads at 500+ pages.
I’m a bit weary of reading anything narrow as military history, this more than anything should be given wider context and life. I hope I can find a good book that will satisfy, illuminate, provoke, and entertain!
I’m in. I love the civil war time period the best so this will be a new reading and learning experience for me. thanks for doing this. ‘
kim in ohio
My sign up post is at http://anglersrest.blogspot.co.uk/2013/01/war-through-generations-challenge.html and I am signing up to wade level.
I’ve updated the participants page again. Thanks to everyone who signed up.
Kim in Ohio: Please let us know what level you want us to mark you down for.
nemogirl: Check out our recommended reading list. We’ll be adding to it over the course of the challenge (and beyond) and you should find books that are shorter and less military. Hope that helps!
Sign me up. Jules – Jules’ Book Reviews I’ll be doing the “wade” 1 – 3 books
http://www.julesbookreviews.com for reviews
http://bkwrmjchallenges.blogspot.ca/2013/01/war-through-generations-american.html – sign-up post
I failed at this challenge last year, so sorry. Spending the last 3 months of the year without a computer and dealing with new and old health problems didn’t help but there were 9 other months in the year! So I’m back to try again, to read some good books and ‘get me some edumacation’ {hee, hee}.
I am signing up to Dip my toes into th American Revolution. I’m not sure what books I’m going to read yet but when I write-up my blog post I’ll have some ideas, at least.
Thank you, Anna and Serena!
[...] review is a contribution to Anna’s and Serena’s American Revolution Reading Challenge. Please visit their site for other reviews or if you’d like to join as [...]
Jules and Amy: You’re on the participants page. Thanks for joining us again!
[...] War Through the Generations Challenge 2013 [...]
Glad to see a site fostering reading on the American Revolution.
Thanks, Douglas!
I’m ready to sign up for the “Dip” …seems appropriate enough!
Can’t wait to see what everyone is reading this year! Thanks for hosting Anna!
I’ve got you on the participants page, emmegail. Thanks for joining us!
I wonder if the Korean war, that forgotten war, might be added in the future. This civil war has yet to be ‘resolved’ with the North Koreans a week ago I think, saying they were going to launch WMD. We still have a military presence there.
I’d also like to suggest Iraq and Afghanistan. I’ve just finished Tom Ricks Fiasco and I’ve been reading some poetry from Brian Turner.
Just a few ideas to bring some discussion and thought on more current events.
Am still looking for a book for the current reading! Argh!
Hi Ann! Thanks for your thoughts. It’s hard to cover every war since we only focus on one per year. We’ll keep your suggestions in mind.