How did the American Revolution shape the lives and perspectives of the youth who lived through its most volatile years? Paul M. Zall, a scholar of American history and literature, compiles a collection of primary source documents to illustrate the diverse experiences of young people during the nation's founding. By focusing on the personal accounts of twenty individuals, the book provides a granular view of how the political upheaval of 1767 to 1789 impacted the daily existence and future trajectories of the younger generation.

The book offers a focused, primary-source-driven examination of the Revolutionary period that prioritizes individual testimony over broad political narrative. Its reliance on personal accounts makes it a useful resource for those seeking to understand the human scale of the American Revolution.