Where to Start with Chris DeRose
Because Chris DeRose writes standalone historical non-fiction, you don't need to worry about cliffhangers or character arcs carried across multiple volumes. You can start with whichever era or event fascinates you most. However, if you are looking for the best entry points to his signature narrative style, we recommend two starting paths:
- The Fan-Favorite Gateway: Start with The Fighting Bunch (2020). This book tells the fast-paced, high-stakes story of World War II veterans fighting local political corruption in Tennessee. It reads like an action thriller and showcases DeRose's talent for pacing and tension.
- The Founding Era Route: Start with DeRose's debut, Founding Rivals (2011). It focuses on the legendary 1789 congressional campaign between James Madison and James Monroe, offering a perfect introduction to his deep dive into early American political maneuvering.
Chris DeRose Books in Chronological Order of Historical Events
If you prefer to read about American history as it unfolded, organizing DeRose’s works chronologically by their historical settings is a rewarding way to experience his bibliography. This sequence spans from the inception of the U.S. Constitution through the immediate aftermath of World War II:
1. Founding Rivals: Madison vs. Monroe, The Bill of Rights, and The Election that Saved a Nation (Set in 1788–1789)
This book focuses on the only congressional election in American history where two future presidents went head-to-head. DeRose details the rivalry and friendship between James Madison and James Monroe, showing how their race for a Virginia congressional seat ultimately secured the passage of the Bill of Rights and preserved the union.
2. Congressman Lincoln: The Making of America's Greatest President (Set in 1847–1849)
DeRose explores Abraham Lincoln’s single, often overlooked term in the U.S. House of Representatives. By examining Lincoln’s time as a freshman Whig representative and party whip, the book illustrates how these formative years shaped the political strategies he would later deploy during the Civil War.
3. Star Spangled Scandal: Sex, Murder, and the Trial that Changed America (Set in 1859)
Set on the eve of the Civil War, this narrative details the shocking murder of Philip Barton Key II (son of Francis Scott Key) by Congressman Daniel Sickles. DeRose guides readers through the sensational trial that followed, which marked the first successful use of the temporary insanity defense in United States history.
4. The Presidents' War: Six American Presidents and the Civil War That Divided Them (Set in 1861–1865)
This unique Civil War history tracks the actions and conflicts of the six men who held the presidency during or immediately surrounding the war: Abraham Lincoln and the five surviving ex-presidents (Martin Van Buren, John Tyler, Millard Fillmore, Franklin Pierce, and James Buchanan). It offers a fascinating look at political loyalty and division at the highest level of government.
5. The Fighting Bunch: The Battle of Athens and How World War II Veterans Won the Only Successful Armed Rebellion Since the Revolution (Set in 1946)
DeRose chronicles the Battle of Athens, Tennessee, where recently returned World War II veterans took up arms to overthrow a corrupt local political machine that had hijacked the county's democratic elections. It is a thrilling, meticulously researched account of citizens defending their right to vote.
Chris DeRose Books in Publication Order
Reading DeRose's works in the order they were written allows you to appreciate his evolution as a historian and storyteller. Over the years, his focus has expanded from early presidential rivalries to broader legal scandals and armed local conflicts:
- Founding Rivals: Madison vs. Monroe, The Bill of Rights, and The Election that Saved a Nation (2011, Regnery History)
- Congressman Lincoln: The Making of America's Greatest President (2013, Threshold Editions)
- The Presidents' War: Six American Presidents and the Civil War That Divided Them (2014, Lyons Press)
- Star Spangled Scandal: Sex, Murder, and the Trial that Changed America (2019, Regnery Publishing)
- The Fighting Bunch: The Battle of Athens and How World War II Veterans Won the Only Successful Armed Rebellion Since the Revolution (2020, St. Martin's Press)
What to Know Before You Start
DeRose’s background heavily influences his narrative voice. Having served as a law professor teaching Constitutional Law, Senior Litigation Counsel for the Arizona Attorney General, and Clerk of the Superior Court in Maricopa County, he approaches historical research with the diligence of a legal investigator. He excels at breaking down complex 19th-century legal concepts and political machinery into accessible, human terms. Readers should expect books that prioritize primary documents, court transcripts, and contemporary letters to recreate the tension of these historic events. Additionally, for readers interested in audio formats, DeRose also hosts the podcast The Phantom Marine, which investigates a historical mystery involving a World War II soldier.