Thank you, Avid Reader Press / Simon & Schuster, for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
Mr. Book just finished America in 25 Revolutions: The Story of Our Imperfect Nation’s 250-Year Quest to Become a More Perfect Union, by Garrett M. Graff.
Garrett M. Graff tells the story of American history through 25 revolutions that have helped the nation move closer to fulfilling the ideals expressed at its founding. Rather than focusing primarily on wars, presidents and elections, he examines the struggles that expanded the rights and protections Americans enjoy today.
The central theme is that the United States has made substantial progress toward achieving the aspirations of its founders, but that progress has rarely come easily. Each revolution arose because of an injustice that needed to be addressed. Even when reformers succeeded, their victories often represented steps forward rather than complete solutions. And the gains that have been achieved are not necessarily permanent.
One of the most important examples is the Fourteenth Amendment, which fundamentally changed the Constitution by establishing national citizenship and guaranteeing equal protection of the laws. Yet the promises of Reconstruction were undermined for generations, demonstrating that constitutional guarantees alone do not necessarily translate into reality.
Graff also examines revolutions that are sometimes overlooked in broader accounts of American history but are still important to the everyday lives of Americans. The fight for food safety, the campaign against child labor and Ralph Nader’s efforts to improve automobile safety illustrate how reforms that Americans now take for granted emerged from battles against powerful interests and longstanding practices.
The chapter on marriage equality provides another example of how the understanding of constitutional rights has evolved. It also reinforces one of the book’s most important lessons: Progress is neither inevitable nor irreversible.
Among the most interesting chapters were those covering the Fourteenth Amendment, food safety, child labor, Ralph Nader and automobile safety, and marriage equality. Together, they demonstrate the wide range of struggles that have shaped the nation’s development.
America in 25 Revolutions is a very good examination of the progress the United States has made toward becoming a more perfect union. But it is also a reminder that the country has not fully achieved the ideals of its founding, and that Americans must continue working to protect the gains already made while addressing the injustices that remain.
Mr. Book gave this book an A. Goodreads and NetGalley require grades on a 1-5 star system. In my personal conversion system, an A equates to 5 stars. (A or A+: 5 stars, B+: 4 stars, B: 3 stars, C: 2 stars, D or F: 1 star).
This review has been posted at NetGalley, Goodreads and my blog, Mr. Book’s Book Reviews.
Mr. Book finished reading this on November 1, 2026.
This book will be published on November 10, 2026.
