Books by Derek Baxter
NEW BOOK! - Coming May 26, 2026
“The Forgotten World War shines a bright and entertaining light on a little-known chapter of the American Revolution. Read this book and I guarantee you will utter these two words often and enthusiastically: Who knew?”
—Eric Weiner, New York Times bestselling author of The Geography of Bliss
“Derek describes first-hand the locations where American history forever. Part travelogue, part academic scholarship, altogether an enjoyable read.”
—Larrie D. Ferreiro, Pulitzer Prize finalist in History, author of Brothers at Arms: American Independence and the Men of France and Spain Who Saved It
“In this special anniversary year, this is a perfect gift for armchair history lovers who seek new angles on America’s past. Bravo to Baxter for another interesting read.”
—Tim Grove, author of George Washington: A Revolutionary Life.
Rediscover the Revolutionary War as a global fight for America’s freedom
Blending modern experiences with historical research, Derek Baxter embarks on an adventure-filled quest across the world, uncovering the truth behind the American Revolution and revealing the unlikely group of nations that united to take on the British Empire. He finds the human stories behind this long-ago conflict, expanding the universe of those who contributed to the cause. Baxter delivers a powerful message: The United States only exists because peoples of different races, languages, and religions learned how to fight together, writing an unexpected story of independence that continues to resonate and inspire today.
A controversial founding father. A man ready for a change. And a completely unique trip through Europe.
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In 1784, Thomas Jefferson was a broken man. Reeling from the loss of his wife and stung from a political scandal during the Revolutionary war, he needed to remake himself. To do that, he traveled. Wandering through Europe, Jefferson saw and learned as much as he could, ultimately bringing his knowledge home to a young America. There, he would rise to power and shape a nation.
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More than two hundred years later, Derek Baxter, a devotee of American history, stumbles on an obscure travel guide written by Jefferson―Hints for Americans Traveling Through Europe―as he's going through his own personal crisis. Who better to offer advice than a founding father himself? Using Hints as his roadmap, Baxter follows Jefferson through six countries and countless lessons. But what Baxter learns isn't always what Jefferson had in mind, and as he comes to understand Jefferson better, he doesn't always like what he finds.
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In Pursuit of Jefferson is at once the story of a life-changing trip through Europe, an unflinching look at a founding father, and a moving personal journey. With rich historical detail, a sense of humor, and boundless heart, Baxter explores how we can be better moving forward only by first looking back.
Following in Jefferson's Footsteps
I wrote a book about my travels through six countries armed with an obscure guide written by the very unobscure Thomas Jefferson in 1788. He penned his Hints for Americans Traveling in Europe for the sons of two of his wealthy friends embarking on a continental tour. Along with an ambitious itinerary based on his own journeys, he set out subjects to investigate and challenges to accept.
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