The Cause: The American Revolution and its Discontents, 1773-1783

In The Cause, Pulitzer Prize–winning historian Joseph J. Ellis offers a masterful reexamination of the American Revolution, challenging long-held narratives and revealing a conflict far more complex and brutal than commonly portrayed. Covering the critical years 1773–1783, Ellis explores the political, social, and military upheavals that forged the United States, shedding new light on both familiar and forgotten figures of the era.

From George Washington’s cautionary warnings about recounting the war to John Adams’ assertion that the British were the “real revolutionaries,” this book recovers the nuanced realities of a war fought for independence, highlighting the prudence—and moral compromises—of the revolutionaries, especially regarding slavery, the nation’s enduring original sin. Written with flair, drama, and scholarly rigor, The Cause delivers a fresh perspective on the foundations of American identity and governance.

Details:

• Format: Hardcover
• Focus: American Revolution, George Washington, John Adams, slavery in early America, colonial history
• Audience: Scholars, students, history enthusiasts, and readers of Revolutionary War biographies

This edition includes a Mount Vernon bookplate signed by the author, making it a unique collectible.