Uses contemporary documents to explore the American Revolution, from the colonists' break with Great Britain through the struggle to create a successful government for the new United States.

The family quarrel : the coming of the revolution -- Breaking the bonds : war and independence -- Taking sides : the experience of war -- Building governments : revolutions in government -- The limits of liberty : revolutions in society and culture -- Paul Revere : craftsman of the Revolution -- The living revolution : the Revolution remembered.