Across the country, the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution, also known as the Semiquincentennial, is being commemorated through a vast array of history events for all ages and interests. Virginia, in particular, is rich with Revolution-era activity and thought, providing a myriad of opportunities to actively experience history beyond the pages of a book.
That said, books are the crucial underpinnings to learning about American history and its complexities. Researchers and historians interpret original source materials, then create accessible narratives. We then benefit by reading and discussing their works, then engaging in thoughtful conversation about where we began, where we’re going, and the lessons learned along the way.
Over the next year, Central Rappahannock Regional Library will hold a series of Virginia 250 book discussions at various library branches and historic venues. Read on for the list of books with discussion dates and locations.
Martha Washington: An American Life, opens a new window by Patricia Brady
Book discussion at Snow Branch, Aug. 20, opens a new window
Patricia Brady’s new biography of Martha Washington reveals a strong and decisive woman, challenging the popular myth of her as a simple, matronly figure. When she married George Washington in 1759, Martha was a wealthy widow and mother who went on to become his most vital partner for over forty years, providing essential support throughout his stressful career. Despite Martha having burned their personal letters, Brady uses extensive research and primary sources to portray her as a passionate, humorous, and resourceful individual who was deeply devoted to her family and country and contributed significantly to the new nation.
From Trenton to Yorktown: Turning Points in the Revolutionary War, opens a new window by John R. Maass
Book discussion at Rising Sun Tavern, Sept. 9, opens a new window
Maass offers a fresh perspective on the American Revolution, arguing that five decisive turning points secured colonial independence. The conflict extended from Canada to Florida and west to the Mississippi River, ensnaring Native American warriors as well as military forces of France, Spain, the Dutch Republic, and various German principalities. Maass contends that victory in the grueling, international eight-year war was achieved not only through key battles such as Trenton and Yorktown, but also through crucial non-combat factors, such as Washington’s leadership during the harsh winter of 1778 and vital military and financial aid from France. Through careful analysis of these varied events, Maass challenges conventional interpretations of what constitutes victory in warfare.
George Washington’s Secret Six: The Spy Ring That Saved the American Revolution, opens a new window by Brian Kilmeade and Don Yaeger
Book discussion at The Hague Winery, Nov. 6, opens a new window
After a crushing defeat in New York City in August 1776, General George Washington recruited a top-secret intelligence group, the Culper Spy Ring, to infiltrate New York. This book tells the story of how the ring’s six members, so secretive that some of their identities remained unknown for centuries, provided crucial intelligence that turned the tide of the American Revolution and helped secure victory.
The Fate of the Day: The War for America, Fort Ticonderoga to Charleston, 1777-1780, opens a new window by Rick Atkinson
Book discussion at Fredericksburg Branch, Jan. 26, 2026
Pulitzer Prize-winning historian Atkinson chronicles the pivotal middle years of the American Revolution when the war’s outcome hung in the balance. It explores the immense struggles of Washington’s exhausted army at Valley Forge while detailing the shifting British perspective, as the war became ruinously expensive and their commanders began to doubt victory. Weaving in Benjamin Franklin’s crucial diplomatic efforts in Paris and covering key battles, Atkinson explores how desperation, strategy, and sacrifice defined this critical turning point in the fight for colonial independence.
A Girl Called Samson, opens a new window by Amy Harmon
Book discussion at Porter Branch, April 27, 2026
In this historical novel, Deborah Samson longs for freedom and adventure, having spent the past twenty years as an indentured servant. Energized by the battle for colonial independence, Deborah disguises herself as a man to enlist in the Continental Army. As she confronts the horrors of the Revolutionary War, she must fight not only for her country’s independence but also to protect her secret identity while navigating an unexpected love.
This Fierce People: The Untold Story of America’s Revolutionary War in the South, opens a new window by Alan Pell Crawford
Book discussion at Mary Washington House, July 27, 2026
In this groundbreaking addition to Revolutionary War history, Crawford argues that the American Revolution was won not in the North, but in the South. He reframes the conflict by focusing on the often-ignored final three years of the war, presenting the southern campaign as a brutal civil war between Patriots and Loyalists that directly led to the British surrender at Yorktown. These fierce southern battles were fought by a diverse group of unsung heroes, including African Americans, militiamen and ‘irregulars,’ Frenchmen, and Hessians. Crawford seeks to upend the national myth that victory over the British should be credited solely to General George Washington and his troops.
Visit librarypoint.org/va250, opens a new window for details on these book discussions along with all upcoming Virginia 250 events at the library, reading recommendations for all ages, and history tidbits.
Tracy McPeck is the Director of Adult Services at Central Rappahannock Regional Library. This column first appeared in the Free Lance-Star newspaper.
