Dive into the latest edition of Page & Pairing, featuring patriotic books and party recipes just in time for the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. Our book list covers everything from historical fiction, focusing on iconic American figures like Betsy Ross and Abigail Adams, to deep dives into our nation's history, from the Boston Tea Party and Ben Franklin to Disneyland and everyday heroes. Each book is paired with a shareable recipe or party-friendly drink that fits with this history-forward theme. Cheers to another 250!
A Founding Mother: A Novel of Abigail Adams
by Stephanie Dray - Laura Kamoie
In time for the 250th Anniversary of the birth of the United States comes a sweeping, intimate portrayal of Abigail Adams, wife of one president and mother to another, whose wit, willpower and wisdom helped shape the fledgling republic. A stunning historical novel with modern-day implications from the New York Times bestselling authors of America's First Daughter and My Dear Hamilton.
In the heart of revolutionary Boston, Abigail Adams raises her children amid riots, blockades and the outbreak of war. While her husband, John Adams, rises from country lawyer to nation-builder, often away for years at a time, Abigail builds her own independence, managing their farm, making lucrative investments, amassing savings, battling plague and loss and defending their home. Unafraid to speak her mind, she famously offers fearless political counsel, urging John to "remember the ladies" in the new government. Through it all, she becomes his most trusted confidante and indispensable ally.
When peace is secured, Abigail steps onto the world stage, exchanging ideas with Thomas Jefferson in the French countryside, navigating court life as the wife of the Minister to Great Britain and presiding over the parlor politics of the early American republic in New York, Philadelphia and Washington, D.C.
Pairing: Abigail Adams' Apple Pan Dowdy
Abigail Adam’s apple pan dowdy is an American classic. This deep-dish pie features tart apples, cinnamon, nutmeg and molasses. You can enjoy it this summer, fall or all year long. Check out this recipe republished by the National Park Service.
The Treason of Betsy Ross: A Woman of the Revolution Novel
by Wendy Long Stanley
The story behind the legend … Long before Betsy Ross became a national icon for making the first U.S. flag, she was a quiet Quaker girl swept up against her will by events leading to the American Revolution.
Philadelphia, 1770. Eighteen-year-old Betsy Griscom falls in love with a man her parents can't accept-non-Quaker John Ross, whose family has strong ties to powerful colonial government offices. Despite Betsy's best intentions to stay within the safety of her Quaker world, Betsy marries John and dreams of an untroubled life with him and their future children.
Betsy's hopes are dashed when the colonies begin to openly and violently rebel against the British crown. Taught to be peace-loving and non-violent, Betsy watches helplessly as her husband becomes a militiaman and joins the resistance movement, taking them closer and closer towards chaos and revolutionary war.
Pairing: Philadelphia Fish House Punch
The 1940s Betsy Ross cocktail might be too heavy for the summer, with its heady combination of Cognac and ruby port, so we suggest Philadelphia Fish House Punch as a lighter alternative. It features Jamaica rum, cognac, peach brandy, lots of lemon and sometimes iced tea. Find the recipe and read the fascinating backstory at Liquor.com.
An Empire on the Edge: How Britain Came to Fight America
by Nick Bunker
Finalist for the 2015 Pulitzer Prize in History – Written from a strikingly fresh perspective, this new account of the Boston Tea Party and the origins of the American Revolution shows how a lethal blend of politics, personalities and economics led to a war that few people welcomed but nobody could prevent.
"A great Empire, like a great Cake, is most easily diminished at the edges," observed Benjamin Franklin, shortly before the American Revolution. In An Empire on the Edge, British author Nick Bunker delivers a powerful and propulsive narrative of the road to war. At the heart of the book lies the Boston Tea Party, when the British stumbled into an unforeseen crisis that exposed deep flaws in an imperial system sprawling from the Mississippi to Bengal.
Shedding new light on the Tea Party's origins and on the roles of such familiar characters as Benjamin Franklin, John Hancock, Thomas Hutchinson and the British ministers Lord North and Lord Dartmouth, Bunker depicts the last three years of deepening anger on both sides of the Atlantic, culminating in the irreversible descent into revolution.
Pairing: Boston Brown Bread With Smoked Fish
Looking for a crowd-pleasing appetizer? Try this unexpected combination of smoked fish and savory cheese (or Greek yogurt) piled on sweet and fruity Boston brown bread. The secret is steaming the bread in greased cans or coffee jars for perfectly round slices. View the restaurant-inspired recipe at Wonder & Sundry.
Ben & Me: In Search of a Founder's Formula for a Long and Useful Life
by Eric Weiner
Part biography, part travelogue, part self-help, New York Times bestselling author Eric Weiner follows in the footsteps of Benjamin Franklin, mining his life for inspiration and practical lessons for living a purposeful and virtuous life.
Ben Franklin lingers in our lives and in our imaginations. One of only two non-presidents to appear on U.S. currency, Franklin was a founder, statesman, scientist, inventor, diplomat, publisher, humorist and philosopher. He believed in the American experiment, but Ben Franklin's greatest experiment was ... Ben Franklin. In that spirit of betterment, Eric Weiner embarks on an ambitious quest to live the way Ben lived.
At a time when history is either neglected or contested, Weiner argues we have much to learn from the past and that we'd all be better off if we acted and thought a bit more like Ben did, even if he didn't always live up to his own high ideals. Engaging, smart, moving and quirky, Ben & Me distills the essence of Franklin's ideas into grounded, practical wisdom for all of us.
Pairing: Pennsylvania Dutch Peach Dumplings
Ben Franklin had a notorious sweet tooth, so there’s no doubt he would have enjoyed these Pennsylvania Dutch peach dumplings wrapped in pie crust and cooked in simple syrup. Just add ice cream for a sweet treat using in-season fruit! Find the full recipe at Baking Sense.
The Hero Next Door: Stories of Patriotism and Purpose
by Martha Raddatz
Instant New York Times Bestseller – "An antidote to the cynicism that surrounds us, a celebration of sacrifice, selflessness and moral courage. It is exactly the book we need." – Mitchell Zuckoff, New York Times bestselling author of 13 Hours
"I have read hundreds of books on the military, and none has impacted me as profoundly as this one. Raddatz has captured the humanity and heroism (and the humor) of our nation's troops and their loved ones. Riveting, inspiring and beautifully told." – Andrew Carroll, author of War Letters and Behind the Lines
Emmy Award-winning ABC News anchor Martha Raddatz shares inspiring profiles in courage of the 9/11 generation of warriors and their families. For 25 years, Martha Raddatz has witnessed the grit and resilience of the soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines who have been fighting America's wars since 9/11. What motivates them to do such impossible things? How do they find the courage to put their lives on the line or the strength to start over when things don't go as planned?
The Hero Next Door offers a dozen portraits of servicemen and women who are every bit as inspiring as those of the Greatest Generation. Every one of them has shown awe-inspiring strength of character, creativity and drive, faced daunting odds and come out stronger.
Pairing: American Flag Icebox Cake
What better way to celebrate your patriotism than by whipping up this light and refreshing American flag icebox cake topped with juicy, sweet fresh berries? All you need is graham crackers and whipped cream or whipped topping. Find the recipe at Grits and Pinecones.
This Land Is Your Land: A Road Trip Through U.S. History
by Beverly Gage
Pulitzer Prize-winning author of G-Man and acclaimed historian Beverly Gage takes the ultimate road trip into the American past.
Ride along with Pulitzer Prize-winning historian Beverly Gage as she travels the country to see the museums, historic sites, roadside attractions, reenactments and souvenir shops where Americans learn (and fight) about our history. From the birth of the nation in Philadelphia to Disneyland and the California dream, This Land Is Your Land offers a guided tour of 13 places and 13 key moments that define America's greatest successes and challenges.
The year 2026 marks the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, a document that proclaimed the liberty and equality of all human beings, but produced a country that often failed to agree upon (or live up to) those ideals. This Land Is Your Land is for everyone who wants to find that history -- to experience it and confront it, to celebrate it and condemn it -- in the places where it happened.
Gage shows that Americans can face their past and still love their country. Toss the book in the back seat, or listen on audio with the windows down, and join the journey.
Pairing: Disney-Inspired Non-Alcoholic Mint Juleps
Served at Disneyland’s Blue Bayou, Cafe Orleans and the French Market, this non-alcoholic mint julep features lime juice, lemonade concentrate, creme de menthe syrup and club soda. It’s the perfect refresher for a backyard barbecue. Visit the Disney Food Blog to see what you’ll need.
Prairie Cinderella: Vinnie Ream and the Gilded Age
by Joan Koster
SHE IS GOING TO BE THE GREATEST SCULPTRESS OF THE GILDED AGE
Spirited Vinnie Ream might have been driven from her prairie home to the political hotbed of Washington City by the outbreak of the Civil War. But despite her plainspoken ways and western twang, she's a survivor, and nothing will stop her from pursuing her art in a world dominated by men. … Until disaster strikes. On the cusp of success, all her dreams come tumbling down.
With her family destitute and her sister threatened, she does the unthinkable. Can she claw her way back to the top or will she go down in history as a failure? A biographical historical novel about the power of family ties, the pursuit of fame and the pain of unrequited love, based on the life of 19th century American sculptor, Vinnie Ream Hoxie.
Pairing: Gilded-Age Oysters Rockefeller
Oysters Rockefeller is a quintessential Gilded Age dish that’s the perfect party pairing. Feel free to bake them or toss them on the grill. Inspired by the original, this recipe from Downton Abbey Cooks features spinach, parsley and a touch of anise liqueur.