The 60 percent of Americans with Revolutionary-era ancestors are not being deliberately erased. They are simply statistically unlikely to have their specific family experiences researched, written, and published by the small number of professionals working within an industry that must prioritize profitability and editorial fashion.
Anniversaries shape collective memory. Overly sanitized history breeds cynicism when contradictions surface; relentlessly woke approaches erode the shared narrative needed for cohesion. The Revolution succeeded partly because colonists forged common cause around genuine grievances and Enlightenment-influenced principles despite deep divisions—much as Americans today might benefit from engaging the full record. Anniversaries shape collective memory. Overly sanitized history breeds cynicism when contradictions surface; relentlessly critical approaches can erode the shared narrative needed for cohesion. The Revolution succeeded partly because colonists forged common cause around genuine grievances and Enlightenment-influenced principles despite deep divisions—much as Americans today might benefit from engaging the full record.
We are just days into the 250th year of American independence. While the Founders wrote everything down, few people have time for dry lectures or dense textbooks. Most of us prefer to learn through the "entertainment principle"—absorbing history through compelling stories. My goal as an author is to inspire you to fact-check me. If my novels drive you to the library to uncover the real history, that is a win. To help you connect with the past, I am launching Countdown to 250: A Rebel's Collection of Books, Films, and Podcasts. This is a curated, multimedia list of the best historical fiction, nonfiction, and movies I have personally vetted.