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Robert Tonsetic
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Special Operations in the American Revolution Paperback – August 20, 2020

by Robert L Tonsetic (Author)

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In this book, renowned author, and former U.S. Army Colonel, Robert Tonsetic describes and analyzes numerous examples of special operations conducted during the Revolution.

"What is unique about this book is the perspective. To a modern-day reader, special ops conjure images of highly trained and exotically equipped soldiers leaping out of helicopters and Zodiac boats to wipe out terrorists... In an era when warfare was supposed to be gentlemanly and follow certain rules, did Washington and his contemporaries embrace special operations? The answer would seem to be, ‘Yes.' Even if they didn't use the term 'special ops,' they were willing to employ elite reconnaissance units, spies and partisan bands. Washington didn't have SEAL Team 6. But he made good use of what he had.” —The National Interest

When the American Revolution began, the colonial troops had little hope of matching His Majesty's highly trained, experienced British and German legions in confrontational battle. In this book, renowned author, and former U.S. Army Colonel, Robert Tonsetic describes and analyzes numerous examples of special operations conducted during the Revolution.

Table of Contents

Prologue
1 The Capture Of Fort Ticonderoga
2 The New Providence Raid
3 Knowlton’s Rangers
4 Whitcomb’s Rangers
5 John Paul Jones’ Raids On Britain’s Coast
6 Partisan Warfare In The Northern Theater
7 The Rise Of Partisan Warfare In The Southern Theater
8 The Whaleboat Wars
9 George Rogers Clark’s March To Vincennes
Epilogue
Endnotes
Bibliography
Index
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  1. Print length
    288 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    Casemate
  4. Publication date
    August 20, 2020
  5. Dimensions
    6 x 0.75 x 8.75 inches
  6. ISBN-10
    1612008933
  7. ISBN-13
    978-1612008936
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From the Publisher

american revolution, revolutionary war, intelligence, espionage

american revolution, revolutionary war, intelligence, espionage

american revolution, revolutionary war, intelligence, espionage

Special Operations in the American Revolution
The Quaker and the Gamecock
America's First Ally
The Life of John André
Normandy 1944
Military ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
U.S. Military ✓ ✓ no data no data no data
American Revolution ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ no data
Special Operations ✓ no data no data no data no data

Editorial Reviews

Review

"The author is a very good story teller. He brings the events to life through the stories of the participants. The book fills a void in the literature of the American Revolution. Added bonuses are the book's bibliography. It is excellent. The operational maps and photos also compliment the narrative. … It is a must addition to the library of every military historian as well as students of the American revolutionary War. Dr. Tonsetic has crafted an exciting book."
Kepler’s Military History

“…overall a really excellent book. It really screams out as an excellent source for wargames scenarios as well as just a good read about the extraordinary actions of ordinary men during wartime. The book will appeal to those interested in the Revolutionary War and also to those interested in the history of Special Forces operations. So a real winner all round!”
Wargamer

"Tonsetic is a skilled and knowledgeable historian who provides a well crafted important study of a relatively neglected aspect of the Revolutionary War....Highly recommended"
Choice

"...a satisfying combination of the well-known, such as the capture of Fort Ticonderoga, to the relatively obscure, such as the exploits throughout much of the war of Patriot Benjamin Whitcomb and his rangers in the area between Fort Ticonderoga and Montreal."
The Journal of America’s Military Past

"This was an excellent book; it was well-researched, entertaining, and fun to read, and it provided a unique perspective on the methods used to win the War of Independence. The author described in great depth the events preceding the battles, and how these small special operations units were vital to the American cause. This is a great book for the neophyte historian or any casual reader."
City Book Review

"well-written, easy to follow work that does an excellent job telling many small stories of the American Revolution."
Military Heritage

"What is unique about this book is the perspective. To a modern-day reader, special ops conjure images of highly trained and exotically equipped soldiers leaping out of helicopters and Zodiac boats to wipe out terrorists. . . . In an era when warfare was supposed to be gentlemanly and follow certain rules, did Washington and his contemporaries embrace special operations? The answer would seem to be, ‘Yes.' Even if they didn't use the term 'special ops,' they were willing to employ elite reconnaissance units, spies and partisan bands. Washington didn't have SEAL Team 6. But he made good use of what he had.”
The National Interest

"In Special Operations during the American Revolution, Robert Tonsetic instructively showcases militia raids and attacks against the British in the Revolutionary War and makes suggestive comparisons to present-day Special Operations. His engrossing book will appeal strongly to both undergraduates and general readers"
Michigan War Studies Review

"Serving as a wonderful resource for both minor and major skirmishes and operations during the course of the Revolutionary War, the book includes 9 maps and 23 illustrations—with a selection of photos taken from the author’s own camera lens."
The Colonial Review

"Many of the operations Tonsetic touches upon are often overlooked in the literature of the war."
The NYMAS Review

The individual chapters offer very useful introductions to the various raids and operations covered, many of which are minor actions that could make ideal scenarios for small battles or large skirmish wargame. […] Recommended for wargamers already interested in the American Revolution seeking further scenarios for their miniature forces.
Miniature Wargames

About the Author

Robert Tonsetic was born and raised in Pittsburgh, PA. He graduated from the University of Pittsburgh with a BA in English Literature in 1964. Upon graduation, he entered the US Army as an infantry second lieutenant. After completing Special Forces training in 1966, he served a tour in Thailand with the 46th Special Forces Company. He was subsequently assigned to the 199th Light Infantry Brigade in Vietnam, serving as a rifle company commander during the Tet and May Offensives of 1968. In 1970, he returned to Vietnam as a senior advisor to South Vietnamese Ranger and Airborne battalions. His decorations for his wartime service include the Distinguished Service Cross, the Silver Star, and the Bronze Star for Valor. He retired from the Army at the rank of Colonel in 1991, after completing a three year assignment as a faculty member at the NATO Defense College in Rome, Italy. Upon his return to the US, Robert earned a Doctorate in Education, and was employed at the University of Central Florida as a staff member and adjunct professor. He died in April 2016 in Easton, MD.

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Robert Tonsetic

Robert Tonsetic

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Robert Tonsetic was born and raised in western Pennsylvania. After graduating from the University of Pittsburgh in 1964, he entered the Army as an infantry lieutenant. After completing Special Forces training, he deployed to Thailand as an advisor to Royal Thai Army Special Forces. During the Vietnam War, he served as a light infantry company commander & as an advisor to Vietnamese Ranger & Airborne units. He was awarded the Army Distinguished Service Cross and Silver Star for extraordinary heroism during the 1968 Tet & May Offensives. In 1970, he returned to Vietnam, and served as a senior advisor to South Vietnamese Ranger and Airborne battalions earning the Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry and the U.S. Bronze Star for Valor. He retired from the Army at the rank of Colonel after a 27 years of service as an infantry and Special Forces officer. After completing his Doctorate in 1996, he taught at the graduate level at the University of Central Florida. In 2014, Colonel Tonsetic was inducted into the US Army Ranger Hall of Fame. He currently resides on Maryland's eastern shore where he continues to write.