Customer Reviews

War on the Run: The Epic Story of Robert Rogers and the Conquest of America's First Frontier

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In my own book -- and I apologize for the self-serving plug, but it's pertinent -- Washington's Spies: The Story of America's First Spy Ring, I devoted part of a chapter to Robert Rogers, one of the most remarkable killing gentlemen of Colonial (and Revolutionary) America. I always, however, wanted to know more about this bewitching, wild creature, and so I'm glad that John Ross has undertaken the burden of excavating his life and times from the murk of the past.

Good, narrative-driven history-writing is tricky to pull off, but, having blazed through the book, I think Ross has done a sterling job introducing Rogers to a modern audience. Ross is particularly skilled at evoking the frightening nature of the wilderness and the unique exigencies of frontier fighting. The vast, unexplored backcountry was densely thicketed by forests, rumpled by towering mountain ranges, and watered by unbridgeable rivers -- and Rogers was master of it all. Small wonder his enemies (and friends) were terrified of him; small wonder that they (in Ross's words) "could not get their imagination around the man, this master of nature and humans who could lead unimpressionable New Englanders to the edge of death over and over."

Now, while I had once foolishly assumed that Rogers was merely a rough-hewn, if cunning, ranger with an eye for the main chance, I'm happy to admit that War on the Run set me straight. Rogers, in truth, was an immensely complex individual, being both the most famed (or notorious) frontiersman in the world -- a kind of Davy Crockett/Daniel Boone twofer -- as well as a literate and entertaining American who, through his books and a play, illuminated to his fellow colonists the amazing potential of what would become their own country come 1783.

Production-wise, the photos have been chosen with great care, and his footnotes (or rather, endnotes) are rock solid. A useful list of "Dramatis Personae" -- to help us keep track of the dozens of colorful characters stalking the early frontier -- and no fewer than 14 maps make War on the Run a worthwhile purchase. This is a very fine biography of one of America's early Greats, and it's certainly one of the most interesting books I've read all year.

Recommended for anyone interested in early America and military history (especially insurgency, Special Forces, and the evolution of tactics).

[...]

I am acquainted with Lake George, and the terrain around Fort Ticonderoga. Robert Rogers is a familiar name, but I knew precious little about the rest of his career. This fascinating tale, covering his early life struggles in New Hampshire, to his continental Lewis & Clark-like ambitions, to his eventual post-Revolutionary War demise in London, provides a comprehensive, unabashedly adoring review of the father of the US Army Rangers. I was particularly impressed with the author's descriptions of Rogers' mid-winter sorties up and down a hazardous Lake George. Ross's topographical description of the Battle on Snowshoes is spot on. (I have lost many golf balls on the fourth hole precisely where the conflict hit its full stride.) Ross puts the reader into a true three-dimensional realm whereby we vividly feel the terrain, the weather, and the battle raging around us. The savagery of the times comes through from battles at Fort William Henry, Fort Ticonderoga and Fort Crown Point to the impressive raid on St. Francois and subsequent weeks of staggering retreat. Dismemberment, scalping, cannibalism, and other grotesquery shocks the modern reader, but interestingly proved valuable content for a nascent newspaper industry in colonial America. Indeed, Rogers' star was fully ascendant during the French & Indian wars, and during the global seven years war between Great Britain and France, Ross makes the case that no other soldier did more to tip the outcome in favor of the English. Through backwoods cunning, outdoors skill, Yankee daring, and true American enterprise, Robert Rogers rose from country bumpkin to the rank of British officer, a feat accomplished by no other, even George Washington.

He is a world-class celebrity, a tall six-foot giant who successfully manages the ever-perilous issues brought by North American Native Indians. He travels to London, where he flouts his accomplishments, writing memoirs, a play and attracting investors to whom he pitches his next great plan - seeking the Northwest Passage.

As quickly as his star rises, it fades away even faster with changing geo-political winds. We follow Rogers' downward spiral into indebtedness, prison, failing marriage, drunkenness and debauchery. In the end, the decisive Ranger leader fails to decide a proper course during the American Revolution. He gets caught up in his own financial troubles, and he sides with the Crown...an unfortunate gambit. Nevertheless, we are amazed how he finds himself at the center of all that is important - he captures famed American spy Nathan Hale, turning him over to his British masters.

Ross puts his man on a pretty high pedestal. But in a balanced recounting of his tale, he depicts the full fall of this colonial hero. The research is impeccable, and the appendix includes fascinating letters from George Washington about Rogers, Rogers' own 28 Rules of Rangering, and never-before-seen maps of the raid on St. Francois. After returning the library's copy, I bought one for myself, and one for my father.

This is a well researched and vividly written book about one of the most colorful and complex characters in colonial America. I highly recommend it. The author, apparently an outdoorsman as well as an historian, brings to bear insights on Rogers's accomplishments and presents a vastly entertaining and enlightening read in the tradition of Francis Parkman. This formative period of American history deserves much more attention, and Mr. Ross has done it justice with a book that every father should like to receive this Father's Day-- or any day.

This is a very detailed biography about an American everyone knows a little about. Most of our knowledge comes from "Rogers' Rangers" and "Northwest Passage", the book or the movie. Mr. Ross fills in all the historical gaps.

The book, and Rogers' life, can be broken down into three phases: Rogers beginnings in New Hampshire and how he developed into an Indian fighter, the French and Indian War and his rather ignominious later years during the Amercian Revolution.

The first and last phases of the book were filled with revelations. The middle eventually got bogged down in the details. Every battle was recapped from supply to return to base. Perhaps this was because this part had the most material from which to work including Rogers' own written accounts.

Most importantly though, this is a very readable biography. Mr. Ross did well to put Rogers in perspective: he was one of the great heroes of his time (until the Revolution); he perfected a new brand of warfare merging European technology with Indian methodology; and, when he went to Europe, he was equal to Franklin as the best known American. He also picked the wrong side, albeit reluctantly, in the Revolution (from Americans' points of view) and lost all public relations advantages he had when he captured Nathan Hale.

Rogers is a rather forgotten colonial hero. Mr. Ross does well to bring him back into perspective. This biography is highly recommended.

Rogers Rules of Ranging are still taught, studied, and memorized by today's SOF. Having served in the 75th Ranger Regiment, it was very educational to read an informative book about Robert Rogers. I often recommend it to anyone seeking reading material concerning historical information about Special Operations Forces.

Roger's story and contributions to the art of warfare have never been better depicted. This is a chapter in American and military history that is usually treated in vignettes, not with Ross' thoroughness. Notwithstanding this attention to detail, the book flows well and is engaging. The depictions of conditions on the American frontier, and of Roger's commitment and accomplishment, are truly amazing.

This is one of the best history books I ever read. I couldn't put it down. The detail and description of the areas where Roberts underwent his campaigns was simply marvelous. This book is a masterpiece.

Rangers Lead the Way! This is the gripping story of the Ranger who led the way, Robert Rogers . As the leader of the first Ranger units in America, he became the father of modern Rangers and the father of American special operations forces. Fighting the French and Indians in the bitter winter conditions of Northern New York and New England, he organized and trained his Rangers into a lethal force. Speed marches, patrolling, stealth, weapons proficiency, ambushes, physical conditioning, incredible endurance, unbelievable courage, leave no Ranger behind - all of these and many more became the hallmarks of our special operations forces of today and are part of the legacy of Robert Rogers. War on the Run is a fascinating tribute to this great leader. It is well worth reading and contains countless nuggets of interest .

If, like me, you remember reading Kenneth Roberts' "Northwest Passage" in your youth, you will feet right at home in this more scholarly version.
Rogers is presented as the product of the American frontier who has mastered small unit tactics of the native Americans and who tries to teach them to the British Regulars during the French and Indian War. The writing is very good and the book is very informative without being heavy.

"War on the Run" is a spellbinding and "can't put it down" read. I loved
it!

Written in the "new" tradition of historical marratives like Founding
Brothers and 1776 yet with a healthy dose of elite forces realism like
"Lone Survivor" and "Jarhead", Ross has brought this brilliant, rugged and
complex American warrior to life. Robert Rogers was an extraordinary man
and "War on the Run" is an extraordinary book. It is a great read!