This intensely human story of the War for Independence by Pulitzer-prize recipient David McCullough is the perfect way to begin understanding the origins of the United States. Beginning on October 26, 1775, when King George III declared to the British Parliament that the American colonies were in rebellion, the book takes us through the early and darkest days of the War for Independence and George Washington’s “brilliant stroke” that changed history. The experiences of patriots and loyalists, mercenaries, political leaders, traitors, preachers, spies, women and men are embedded in in the story of the birth of the United States.

Pauline Maier, one of the foremost authorities on the founding of the United States, brought to life the struggle of British colonies along the eastern shores of the north American continent to separate from Great Britain and become an independent nation. She explored the unique events, arguments, and consequential men and women leading to the Declaration of the Independence and what happened in the months and years following its approval and how it has persisted as a force in American society. Must reading for anyone who wants to truly understand our nation’s founding and the principles underlying it.

A classic in the literature relating the drafting and ratification of the United States Constitution, the book is considered to be one of the most readable and vividly told accounts of the convention that took place in the summer of 1787 as delegates from twelve of the newly independent states took a bold step from confederation to a new federal form of government. Bowen explains the important differences among the states and how they finally came together to forge a “more perfect union” and successfully managed to secure its ratification through a bitterly contentious series of state conventions.

At the signing of the Declaration of Independence, Benjamin Franklin  quipped, “We must all hang together, gentlemen, or else we shall most assuredly hang separately.” Who were these men who “pledged their lives, their fortunes and their sacred honor” when they signed a document placing them in jeopardy of being punished for treason for the actions they were taking. “Signing Their Lives Away” provides short biographies of each of these men, as well as a timeline of the birth of the United States and other choice details about this most fascinating period of our nation’s history. You will learn some surprising facts about our Founders.

A companion to their book about the signers of the Declaration of Independence, Kiernan and D’Agnese don’t focus solely on our well-known Founders but relate fascinating information and contributions about those whose names have been clouded in the mists of history. The brief biographies of the thirty-nine men who signed the Constitution on September 17, 1787, reveal duels, problems with alcohol, disputes over slavery, personal triumphs and failures, and much more. We are reminded that even great men, pursuing great ends, can be as “quirky” and flawed as those we elect today.