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

by Eric Metaxas

“Once upon a time there was a REVOLUTION.”
 

There’s never been a nation like the United States of America. It's impossible to imagine the world without it—but do you know the wild and true story of how it came into existence? 

On our 250th anniversary, the hunger for America’s story has never been greater. 

Who better to tell it than historian Eric Metaxas, author of seven New York Times bestsellers, including the ground-breaking, million-selling biography of Dietrich Bonhoeffer?  

With the passion, erudition, and irrepressible wit that have become his signature, Metaxas’s REVOLUTION brings the epic of America’s birth to life so fully that you will feel you are a part of the story, which is precisely the point. By turns deeply moving, gripping, and spectacularly entertaining, these are the stories every American must know, including some of history’s noblest heroes — and some despicable villains.  

REVOLUTION also touches on the role that sacrifice, character, and faith played in the great struggle for “the Sacred Cause” of liberty. George Washington, John Adams, Nathan Hale, Henry Knox, Horatio Gates, Israel Putnam, Benedict Arnold and many others all come to life for a new generation of Americans. 

At more than 500 pages—with photos, maps, and illustrations—REVOLUTION is definitive and sweeping, an astonishing epic containing a dazzling array of stories, ranging from the explosive events that led up to Lexington and Concord,all the way through the impossible twists and turns of the war itself—including the Battle of Bunker Hill, the Crossing of the Delaware, Saratoga, and the bitter winter at Valley Forge — all the way to the final victory in Yorktown and “The World Turned Upside Down.” 

Unless we ourselves know the true story of the Revolution—what some have called America’s “founding myth”—we cannot play the role we are meant to play in the Revolution that still continues today.  

This is our story. We need to know it. For such a time as this. 

Genres: History, Nonfiction, American History, American Revolution, Politics, American Revolutionary War, American

633 pages, Kindle Edition

First published 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

[Paige Gordon · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is without a doubt my new favorite single-volume work about the American Revolution. Eric does a masterful job weaving the story of our Founding from the “Opening Scene of the Revolution” in 1760 with the Writs of Assistance, all the way through to the surrender at Yorktown. You’ll come out of this with a clearer picture than you’ve ever had about what actually motivated and guided the Founders, as well as the undeniable miraculous role that “Divine Providence” played in the birth of the greatest nation the world has ever known.

If you read only one book in this, the year of our Lord Two Thousand and Twenty-Six, I think it should be this one!

Favorite Quote: “So the Founding was not at all theocratic in the way the Puritan founding of the Massachusetts Bay Colony had been in 1630, but to leap toward characterizing it as therefore somehow secular is even more mistaken. Though the American that emerged in 1776 and afterward was no Christian theocracy, neither was it even slightly secular. It was deeply Christian, but in a new way that had never before been seen in history, in a way that saw respecting people’s religious liberty as at the very heart of true Christian faith. So we cannot jump from the ditch of Puritan theocracy into the opposite ditch of secular a-theocracy. Christian faith remained at the center of the Founder’s view, and without it there could be no liberty as they understood liberty.

[Breanna Butler]

🇺🇸 so good! A must-read for every American, especially for the 250th celebration of America. Reads like a fun lecture from a cool history professor - full of great information, entertaining anecdotes, and powerful prose. A deeply researched and passionate look at how we got here and what makes America unique in world history.

[Mark McElreath · Rating 5 out of 5]

A stirring one-volume history of the American War for Independence.

Though tomes have been written about the Revolutionary War, this work stands out as a single read to aid in placing all the characters and places in their proper order. It hits the key battles and highlights the important figures - even Benedict Arnold and his treasonous ways spiral through the narrative.

But this work is more. Metaxas takes nearly the first half of the book to recount the foundations of liberty laid before July 4, 1776. He details the misunderstanding of Britain and its leaders as to the misgivings of the colonies over taxes and writs, and he gives us a glimpse of the sparks that would light the bonfires of a Revolution.

Another benefit of this work is that Metaxas is clearly making the case for the religious grounding of the Founders. They were not Deists of the Enlightenment. Letters, proclamations, and personal accounts abound showing how sacred these men believed their cause to be and how they depended upon Providence alone to see their righteous labor through. He highlights their belief in "covenant" living as soldiers and citizens before God, who would win His favor by acting virtuously even in war.

Metaxas is a superb author. I have enjoyed everything I have read of his, and recommend you to take up this volume with a ready mind and a patriotic heart.

[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.

[Steve Sylvest · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very well done. This should be required reading for each generation to remember our founding.

[Fred Leland · Rating 5 out of 5]

outstanding history

Great historical moment Ali through history of our revolution. The tone, the revolutionary characters and our traditional American values all come shining through, in this masterfully written book. I highly recommend it.

[Matthew Rawlings · Rating 5 out of 5]

Metaxas is a gifted writer and this may be his best work to date. Highly, highly recommended.

[Collin Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Extremely well written history of the American Revolution. For such a long book, it felt effortless to get through. I felt that Metaxas was unbiased throughout even as he put his own views on the table.

I’m still unsure of the permissibility of the revolution from a Christian perspective after reading this. From my perspective, it does seem like such a rebellion on the basis of taxation and representation in government can arguably be called wrong by a Christian. Some of the earlier chapters were unsettling as I considered that, if I were living in Boston at the time, I may have been targeted by mobs for simply not being willing to throw my hat in with rebels. That being said, it’s somewhat reassuring that over the course of the war it becomes clear that one side of this conflict, the American side, was far more virtuous and pious than the other. George Washington’s virtue and humility in particular is really inspiring.

I also get the suspicion the author may have shied away too much from expressing that many of the founding fathers had departed quite far from traditional Christianity. The author does a good job at showing that the founders were far from deists, but almost all of the quotes given to show their religiosity could also fit with their believing in a more generic deity who providentially guides history and who upholds virtues like those found in the teachings of Jesus, without necessarily being incarnate in the person of Jesus. I’m not saying this was done intentionally, but if one read this book without knowing that their may be other categories besides strict deist or strict Christian, they would probably come away with the idea that the founders were all or mostly strictly Christian, which I think may be somewhat misleading, but am unsure of myself at the moment.

The seemingly providential nature of so many of the escapes and victories of the Americans are interesting to consider, though even if we come to the conclusion that God was on the side of the Americans, we don’t necessarily need to conclude that this was because they held perfect or even right religious or political beliefs, as God could just be providentially preparing the world for something even now unknown to us.

I also enjoyed his message at the end about how the nation was built for a faith filled and virtuous people, but that this can’t be forced, and so we each have a duty to keep our country full of faith and virtue as much as we can.

Overall, having known a pathetic amount of the history in this area beforehand, I felt this was a great introduction. It was thorough but highly readable and entertaining. Everyone should know American history, and this is a great place to start, so I give it 5 stars.

Final note: after discussing at length how the number 45 became a symbol of liberty for the Americans, I was quite disappointed when I saw this book only had 44! Surely we could have fit another chapter in. Maybe in the 500th year anniversary edition.

[Jonathan Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an advanced reader copy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review on my Goodreads page. This book is scheduled for release on June 2, 2026.

As America commemorates the 250th anniversary of its founding, there could hardly be a more fitting time to pick up a book like this. For readers looking to deepen their understanding of the American Revolution and the remarkable individuals who shaped it, I wholeheartedly recommend this outstanding work.

Eric Metaxas takes readers on a sweeping journey from the turbulent 1760s through the hard-fought victory at Yorktown and beyond. Along the way, he introduces us to the familiar giants of the era—James Otis, Paul Revere, Samuel and John Adams, George Washington, Benjamin Franklin, John Hancock, and many others—not as distant historical figures, but as real people grappling with extraordinary challenges and impossible decisions.

The book moves effortlessly from the streets of Boston to the halls of Philadelphia, from the brutal winter at Valley Forge to the climactic triumph at Yorktown. Metaxas has a gift for bringing history to life. His writing is engaging, accessible, and richly detailed without ever becoming overwhelming. Reading this book felt less like studying a textbook and more like listening to a gifted historian deliver a fascinating lecture, one filled with memorable personalities, dramatic moments, and a deep appreciation for the courage and sacrifice (and faith) that gave birth to a nation.

What impressed me most was the author's ability to weave together the political, military, and personal dimensions of the Revolution into a compelling narrative. Even readers who are already familiar with the broad outlines of the era will likely discover new insights and perspectives. The result is a work that is both educational and thoroughly enjoyable.

In a year when many Americans will be reflecting on the nation's origins and ideals, this book is especially timely. It serves as both a vivid history of the Revolutionary era and a reminder of the determination, vision, and resilience that characterized the generation that secured American independence.

I cannot recommend this book highly enough. It was one of the most enjoyable and informative historical reads I have encountered in recent years. I fully intend to purchase a copy for my personal library, and I will be enthusiastically recommending it to friends, fellow readers, and anyone with an interest in American history. This is a five-star read in every sense of the word.

[Todd Hudnall · Rating 5 out of 5]

Eric Metaxas has written a sweeping 600-page narrative to commemorate America’s 250th anniversary. The author employs his extraordinary storytelling gift to recount the improbable birth of the United States, from its initial ideological seeds to the early resistance, struggles, and profound sacrifices for the “Sacred Cause” of liberty. Metaxas shares the stories of the heroism of Washington, Adams, Knox, Hale, and others; the brutal winters; the betrayals; the improbable victories; and the march to Yorktown. He does it with wit and insight.

The book emphasizes divine providence, the founders' character, their sacrifice, and their revolutionary idea that a people didn’t need a monarchy but could govern themselves based on moral and religious foundations.

Revolution brings you into the epic of American liberty. As a reader, you encounter flesh-and-blood figures whose courage and convictions made self-government conceivable. The emphasis on the “Sacred Cause” and the necessity of moral character in sustaining freedom offer a timely counter to cynical or purely pragmatic, secular views of history. He draws a stark contrast between the immoral, unprincipled society of the British elites and the moral and religious moorings that guided the colonial leaders.

“Revolution” stays in the middle lane, avoiding the gutters of secular, deist founding narratives and, on the other side, the erroneous idea that American founders established a theocracy. Instead, Metaxas highlights faith’s role in the founding and the golden-triangle interplay of freedom, virtue, and faith. He touches on how, despite the founders’ high ideals, America could allow the realities of slavery and other national sins.

On its 250th anniversary, Revolution restores the reality of the moral dignity and the hand of God’s providence in the founding of America. Despite 600 pages, you wanted Metaxas to share an even more comprehensive account. The book was hard to put down. I highly recommend this informative, inspiring, and enjoyable book.

[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

[Tammy · Rating 5 out of 5]

As one who's been an ardent consumer of American history, I did not think a book could make me fall more in love with my nation then reading this book did. It beautifully encapsulates the heart of the men who gave up their lives, their fortunes, and their sacred honor to establish something no man had ever seen happen in the modern world. I'm so thankful for the providential hand that led them down the path to establish a nation whom claim is my own 250 years later. I'm thankful that finally we as a nation are beginning to understand how the hand of Providence is crucial and vital to maintaining this revolution in a world that would rather deny the hand of God as being something unnecessary to experience true liberty. This should be read by every student in the public schools. If we were able to even just get the high schoolers to read it and understand the significant battles our nation faced as it came into existence, it would truly transform our nation into something many of us have not seen sadly in generations.

[Lianna Davis · Rating 5 out of 5]

I did not expect this book to be so edifying. I knew I was reading about the Revolutionary War and the founders of our country, but I didn’t know I’d also be reading about such remarkable displays of God’s providence and such inspiring examples of Christian faith throughout our nation’s founding.

Metaxas does a really excellent job telling the story, highlighting fascinating details along the way, and bringing it all to a fitting conclusion with his reflections. As someone who didn’t remember much about the Revolutionary War (my last U.S. history class was in high school), I found the book to be a perfect match for my interests. It left me with a much greater appreciation for our nation’s founding.

[Charlie Wagner · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a very concise history of the American Revolution. It begins more than a dozen years before the declaration of independence and there’s only about 600 pages long. Still, it covers all of the major points, and does a very good job of introducing all of the major characters and quite a few minor ones too. If you want to read a more in-depth book on the revolution, read 1776 by David McCullough, or Battles of the Revolutionary War by WJ Wood. Walter Isaacson, David McCullough, and Joseph Ellis all have written fantastic biographies on the founders.

Thank you Aldridge Publications for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

[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!

[* Elle * the * Babbling * Dabbler * · Rating 5 out of 5]

Revolution is an essential read for the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution. Eric Metaxas presents America’s founding story in a way that is engaging, accessible, and surprisingly easy to read despite its length. The people and events behind the nation’s birth come alive on the page, making history feel both relevant and deeply human. Whether you’re a history buff or simply want a better understanding of the foundations of America, this is a book worth picking up.

[Richard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Revolution: The Birth of the Greatest Nation in the History of the World is a powerful, engaging account of the American Revolution. Packed with facts, primary sources, and embedded wit, it brilliantly brings history's epic personalities to life. This deeply researched book is an absolute must-read that reminds us of the courage, sacrifice, and faith required to build our nation. It is the perfect read for every American as we celebrate the 250th anniversary of the United States.

[Phoebe Lucker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just started reading this book and I am not disappointed. Eric has a way of writing that keeps you captivated and engaged. The index and sources he provided paint a picture of the events that led to a successful Revolution. It is such a poignant book for the historical time we live in today upon the upcoming semiquincentennial!

[Tom Hill · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great read on how our country gained its independence from England and the men that made it happen. It is fascinating how Christian values influenced the people who designed the government we have today, even for those who did not have that strong a faith. Those who today like to claim the country was not created based on Christian
Principles do not know our history.

[Andrew Shaw · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent and thorough description of the Revolutionary War

I struggled to find a good book describing the American War for independence, but definitely found it in this book. With a lot of direct quotations from the people described in the text, and Metaxas’ witty writing style, this is a thorough and interesting book.

[Lisa]

An interesting title. It seems his main point is that before the United States was created, the idea of freedom, liberty, equal rights (okay so, this has been a process for the US ie slavery, women's rights, native Americans etc.). However, it was a start with the genius of the Declaration of Independence, the constitution.

He sees the "creation" of the United States as something God did in His sovereign plan.

I've read about a quarter of the book. I really appreciated that he wrote about the Boston Massacre in a way I'd never read before. It was always that the British soldier shot up a group of non violent sons of liberty. he described how it was a violent mob, teasing, baiting this one British soldier. I appreciate that he paints a different and I would guess more accurate picture.

[Keith Connor · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really enjoyable read on the Revolution. It's a good history on the lead up and a corrective to how oriented to God it was. I mean many of the leading patriots were more than deists. If you haven't read about this era of American history lately you'll find it enjoyable.

[Alyssa · Rating 5 out of 5]

This should be required reading for every American. May we endeavor to seek the Lord as they did. May we endeavor to honor their sacrifice and keep this republic, if we can.

[Tara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Everything you need to know about the founding of America. Lest we forget.

[Marnix Matthijsse · Rating 1 out of 5]

MAGA propaganda, this has nothing to do with history. Sad because when told fairly, the USA has a very interesting history.

[Joeman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Best American Revolution history read to date. Highly recommended!