Maxima Books co-owners Brian Phillips and Jelena Babic have been part of the local independent bookstore scene for more than 20 years, first in Arlington and more recently in Lexington’s town center. With July 4th marking the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, Phillips has put together a list of 10 books on the American Revolution — including several that focus on local history or feature authors with ties to the area — spanning picture books for young children to serious historical scholarship, for anyone looking to mark the occasion with some reading.

Here is Maxima’s top 10 book recommendations for Independence Day 2026 reading:

  1. Guts & Glory #4: The American Revolution by Ben Thompson

This is an exciting retelling of the history of the American Revolution for ages 8-12. “It’s definitely not boring and a bestseller in Lexington,” Phillips said.

  1. The Minutemen and Their World by Robert A. Gross

This is a hyper-local history focusing on the Minutemen, authored by a Concord-based writer. He has visited Lexington twice to speak about his book in recent years, and notably gives a detailed explanation of the ideological and motivational differences between Lexington and Concord residents in the years leading up to the Revolution. “It’s my personal favorite because I like the guy who wrote it and listened to him talk twice. It’s filled with lots of detailed information. We’re really lucky to live where there’s such rich history,” Phillips said.

  1. Paul Revere’s Ride by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

This is an illustrated version of Longfellow’s famous poem, in which his verse gives a play-by-play of Revere’s midnight ride. 

  1. The American Revolution: A Visual History by the Smithsonian

This book contains a visual history comprised of pictures, maps, and timelines, and has been updated for the 250th celebrations. Beginning with the first instances of colonial resistance, the chronology gives readers a comprehensive understanding of the Revolution. 

  1. Who Was Paul Revere? by Roberta Edwards

Phillips says that this children’s biography is a bestseller among 2nd to 4th graders in Lexington, and is a popular installment in the “Who Was…” series. 

  1. 1776 by David McCullough

Phillips recommends this book for serious history buffs, noting that although the book is only 300 pages long, it contains 100 pages of bibliography. “It’s probably the most relevant to the Fourth of July in 2026. It’s one of those thick, dense history tomes,” Phillips said.

  1. Liberty Is Sweet: The Hidden History of the American Revolution by Woody Holton

In this book, Holton tells the story of the American Revolution from the perspective of the Southern states, which is a perspective that’s often understated or forgotten. Holton is close friends with Robert A. Gross, another author featured on Phillip’s list. 

  1. If You Lived During the American Revolution by Chris Newell 

This is a children’s non-fiction picture book that answers specific questions children might have about the Revolution, such as “How would your daily life be different?” This book is set up in a question and answer format, presenting information in a very straightforward manner.

  1. Lexington and Concord: The Beginning of the War of the American Revolution by Arthur B. Tourtellot

This book is another local historical retelling of the quotidian life of Lexington and Concord residents. It is only 300 pages long, making it a “pretty quick read,” Phillips said.

  1. The American Revolution: An Intimate History by Geoffrey C. Ward and Ken Burns

This book was notably released to coincide with the PBS film series “The American Revolution.” It centers the story of the Revolution around the grassroots struggle for change, spotlighting the perspectives of soldiers, enslaved African Americans, women, and Native Americans.

Leave a comment

Commenters must be registered and logged in with a verified email address and REAL FIRST AND LAST NAME. To register for an account visit the registration page for our site. If you already have an account, you can login here or by clicking "My Account" on the upper right hand corner of any page on the site, right above the search icon.

Commenters must use their real first and last name and a real email address.
We do not allow profanity, racism, or misinformation.
We expect civility and good-faith engagement.

We cannot always fact check every comment, verify every name, or debate the finer points of what constitutes civility. We reserve the right to remove any comment we deem inappropriate, and we ask for your patience and understanding if something slips through that may violate our terms.

We are open to a wide range of opinions and perspectives. Criticism and debate are fundamental to community – but so is respect and honesty. Thank you.