‘Outstanding, must-read book of the year’ is bestseller period novel | Books | Entertainment

A period novel that is a number one bestseller has been dubbed “a must-read”. Penguin Random House highlighted the book in its list of “The Must-Read Books of 2025 (So Far)”, collected by its editors. The novel in question is The Fate of the Day by Rick Atkinson. It is the second part in a trilogy of books about the landmark American Revolution.

The book’s synopsis reads: “The first twenty-one months of the American Revolution–which began at Lexington and ended at Princeton–was the story of a ragged group of militiamen and soldiers fighting to forge a new nation. By the winter of 1777, the exhausted Continental Army could claim only that it had escaped annihilation by the world’s most formidable fighting force.

“Two years into the war, George III is as determined as ever to bring his rebellious colonies to heel. But the king’s task is now far more complicated: fighting a determined enemy on the other side of the Atlantic has become ruinously expensive, and spies tell him that the French and Spanish are threatening to join forces with the Americans.”

Readers have praised the book written by the Pulitzer Prize-winning and #1 New York Times bestselling author of The British Are Coming, which is about George Washington’s army fights on the knife edge between victory and defeat.

The Fate of the Day has received an impressive 4.68 rating on Goodreads.

One reviewer said: “Volume Two is just as exceptional as Volume One of his Revolution Trilogy. Please go read in the warm confidence that there is no letdown.”

Another added: “I always enjoy Rick Atkinson’s approach to history. It is compelling, flows well, and is a welcome addition to the compendium of historical literature about this period. If you are looking for history that is informative, educational, and entertaining, you can’t go wrong here. I recommend starting with the first book, The British are Coming. Both books are exceptional.”

“Very much looking forward to the third book,” said a third.

The Fate of the Day is available at bookshops, such as WHSmith and Watersones and online.