The Revolution, and the “Revolution”

Reviewing Ken Burns reviews, and reflections of friends on what Americans might want to know heading into 2026.

Rob James

December 16, 2025

History fans have been anticipating the release of the Ken Burns American Revolution series on the eve of our nation’s 250th anniversary next year. Before the pageantry dissolves along partisan divides, this seems like the “last clear chance” to raise some points that may be of interest to all.

First, after watching the series I read a number of reviews and here produce a review of the reviews. Criticism often tell us more about the critic than about the work in question!

Second, I joined my old friend and fellow history enthusiast Manley Roberts in sizing up the most important conventional facts about the Revolutionary era. I say “conventional” because we focus foremost on the traditional topics of leaders, battles and (yes) dates. We do not denigrate the value of historical research into the lives of ordinary people whose existence was torn asunder by the waves of events. But we believe we all need a base of “cultural literacy” (in E.D. Hirsch’s terms), in order for our conversations to give those very waves their correct order and proper magnitude. I even include a bibliography of the books on the groaning shelves of our respective libraries.

I offer you distinct New Jersey alternative experiences. Take a sip from short-supplied water on a sweltering battlefield at Monmouth Courthouse, or take a bracing plunge into the icy Delaware opposite Trenton!

A Ken Burns review review

Old Friends on the American Revolution

Bibliographica Robertsiana