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

I very good book about a complex man who was never permitted to attain is greatest potential. Robert Roger’s is another great American most of us know nothing about.

Amazing book, about an amazing man.

Robert Rogers was a regular history lesson from some undisclosed point in American Schools up and until the late 1930’s – it’s conceivable that with the U.S. entering the Second World War in 1941 that the “Rogers” part of American History began to take a back seat to the current events of the nation (then) going forward.This book was fundamentally important not of only Robert Rogers and “Rogers Rangers” on the frontier when the American Frontier was nothing more than what we take for granted today in Ohio and Michigan from the borders of New England outward; but, it was equally important for a review of the cost of the French and Indian War (Seven Years War) a cost that the Crown would pay for heavily with the imposition of Acts. These “Acts” of course were an attempt to recoup the cost of the frontier war and to pay for its protection. Sir Winston Churchill would actually dub this war “the true First World War” in his memoirs later. When the British regulars joined the North American colonial militias and challenged French control both the war and victory would add unlimited spoils of resources and land mass to the Crown above what even they must have sensed possible for the time; but, it also came at a cost. In one sense, Robert Rogers was for the American Frontier what George Washington became for the American Revolution; and, ironically as much as these two people in history have similar qualities – luck and good connections were certainly on the side for the better for Washington than it had been for Rogers. It was apparent to me that following Ross’ account of the life of Robert Rogers, that Rogers where effective as an independent operator in the field of the frontier lacked fundamental ability to “read” the political writings on the wall at crucial points during his attempt to rise in the ranks or move toward a better financial position; none of this was important to the character of the man while he was enthralled in his warring work of the same. He had a tendency to simply ignore things that were untrue of the accusatory type upon his character; maybe by no answer at all he kept his thoughts to himself as well as his personal cards ~ to his detriment this would end up to become his character flaw that would impact him the most.I was surprised to find no reference in the bibliography of this detailed work on Rogers from the Douglas Southall Freeman’s work on the any of the 7 volume set “Washington”. The lack of inclusion perplexes me as the arrest of Rogers by Washington played a pivotal role in Rogers return to the side of the Crown during the outbreak of the American Revolution. I have read the abridged version of the Freeman work and that book alone on Washington is nearly 900 pages. There was no reference in the abridged version to Rogers; however, I anticipate that “Doc” Freeman incorporated the details on this arrest in his greater set (something for me to check into at my local library at some near point in the future). I would have liked the inclusion of more paintings of the “Dramatis Personae” that were included in the work compiled by Ross, a reference to the assassination of Chief Pontiac would have been appropriate (given the good Chief’s like for Rogers on a personal level). On the plus side of course are the maps – the maps are highly detailed and this is one book in which for the first time the Saint-François Map of 1759 has been published in which Rogers own hand writing is included on the bottom-left of the work. In addition, I considered it a special treat to have a photo included of the Powder Horn that was once owned and used by Robert Rogers.I give this book 4.5 stars out of 5 possible on the Goodreads site. The research and the story that is portrayed is important for any student of American History and at any level.

No problems

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.

There were about 20 books in our house when I was growing up, and they moved with us from town to town. I read many of them every year, especially Kenneth Roberts's majestic "Northwest Passage," and even today can recall some of the novel's grisly scenes. In "War on the Run," John Ross purports to write a factual account of these events, but his version too is laced with fictions. That's especially true in his first chapter, though he settles down a bit after that, as the young New Hampshireman makes a name for himself and leaves a paper trail. Still, starting a sentence with "would have" and ending it with a footnote doesn't turn speculation into fact. Then too, Mr Ross argues that the Major forged the template for the US Army Rangers of the Second World War and for the Special Forces of today. But in almost every one of Rogers's battles, the Rangers were salted with detachments from the provincial forces and even from the British Army, who in most cases did as well as the green-clad troops he'd trained in backwoods combat. Rogers was certainly a natural warrior and a great leader of men, but he didn't invent a new kind of warfare so much as exemplify it. Neverthess, "War on the Run" is a rip-roaring story. Like so many great leaders, Major Roberts was his own worst enemy, spending money he didn't have and unable to get along with his commanding officers.

Book starts of very well, but by a quarter in, the author becomes mired in detail, you need to know the geography of the area, to follow what your being told, lots of info, but not an easy read.

This is the second biography of Robert Rogers I have read; the other being Stephen Brumwell's 'White Devil'. The best compliment I can give this, is that it is easily the equal of Mr. Brumwell's book. It delves further into Rogers' life after the end of the French and Indian war, including his later court martial and the last tragic days of this forgotten hero's life.

excellent detailed account, of warfare in that part of the world.

Very good.

Shipping was faster than expected. Book in mint condition.