Obstinate Daughters By Denise Kiernan: Reviews and Press

After eight years, my wife’s new book, OBSTINATE DAUGHTERS: The Rebels, Writers, and Renegade Women Who Ignited the American Revolution (Penguin Random House, 2026) is finally out in the world. That means every day there is a new review or some media tidbit that comes our way. This post is my attempt to create a collection point for everything I find. This post will no doubt grow over time, so check back if you’re curious.

Here’s what I’ve collected thus far…

National Podcasts:

The Road to Now Podcast #372: Women in the American Revolution w/ Denise Kiernan

The Book Cougars Podcast: Author Spotlight with Denise Kiernan

WNYC Radio: The Influence of Women on the American Revolution with Denise Kiernan

Video Interviews with Denise Kiernan

Denise in Conversation with the Tattooed Historian (John R. Heckman).

Denise in conversation with USA Today Bestselling Author Robert Swartwood.

“Print” Interviews with Denise Kiernan

Denise Kiernan’s Obstinate Daughters highlights badass women of the American Revolution (The Kansas City Pitch, July 9, 2026).

“Author Denise Kiernan delivers more of America’s missing chapters with Obstinate Daughters” (Mountain Express, June 16, 2026).

Obstinate Daughters: shining a light on the women who sparked the American Revolution (The Guardian, June 24, 2026)

Pub Day Q&A with Denise Kiernan (The Writing Shed with Tommy Tomlinson, June 23, 2026).

The women who made the American Revolution possible (BookPage, July 2026).

Essays by Denise Kiernan on the Topic of Obstinate Daughters

Things Writers Should Know If They’re Writing About the American Revolution (Writer’s Digest, June 23, 2026).

How To Save the American Stories That Almost Slip Through the Cracks (Katie Couric Media, June 23, 2026).

Want to walk in the footsteps of American Revolutionaries? You can every day in Lower Manhattan (The New York Post, June 30, 2026).

Reviews of Obstinate Daughters

The Women Who Powered the Revolution (Arts Fuse, June 23, 2026)

Vital Voices: Denise Kiernan chronicles the role of women in the American Revolution (Chapter 16, June 29, 2026).

(Starred Review) Obstinate Daughters (BookPage, June 22, 2026).

History told through the women who shaped it.

While textbooks often focus on the generals and signers, Obstinate Daughters by Denise Kiernan reveals the rebels, writers, enslaved women, and community leaders who actually ignited the American Revolution. From the riot at Bowling Green where King George III's statue was melted down into bullets, to Mary Katherine Goddard—the only woman whose name appeared on the Declaration of Independence—this story is about the "obstinate" figures history tried to forget.

See the official trailer and discover the untold stories that defined a nation.

Available now wherever books are sold.

Click, clicky, Yankee Doodle Dandy!

Two Other ways to get the book:

Unless Denise is coming to a bookstore near you, the best way to get a signed copy is to order from Malaprop’s, the indie bookstore in our hometown of Asheville, North Carolina. They are a great small business, and they have been delivering Denise’s books to happy customers for something like 15 years without a hitch. So you can’t go wrong. If you think you would like the book inscribed a certain way to a friend or family member, I personally, recommend phoning the store to make sure they have all those details down correctly.

Have You Seen the New Obstinate Daughters T-Shirts?

Click the image to visit the store!

Yes, we went there! We’re selling cool new “Obstinate” shirts at our new Joe & Denise store. Eight different designs, and ton of different colors. I’ll talk about the store some other time, but suffice to say, you won’t want to miss what we’ve got going on over there.