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

By: John F. Ross

Narrated by: Jonathan Yen

Often hailed as the godfather of today's elite special forces, Robert Rogers trained and led an unorthodox unit of green provincials, raw woodsmen, farmers, and Indian scouts on "impossible" missions in colonial America that are still the stuff of soldiers' legend. The child of marginalized Scots-Irish immigrants, Rogers learned to survive in New England's dark and deadly forests, grasping, as did few others, that a new world required new forms of warfare.

John F. Ross not only re-creates Rogers's life and his spectacular battles with breathtaking immediacy and meticulous accuracy, but brings a new and provocative perspective on Rogers's unique vision of a unified continent, one that would influence Thomas Jefferson and inspire the Lewis and Clark expedition. Rogers's principles of unconventional war-making would lay the groundwork for the colonial strategy later used in the War of Independence - and prove so compelling that army rangers still study them today. Robert Rogers, a backwoods founding father, was heroic, admirable, brutal, canny, ambitious, duplicitous, visionary, and much more - like America itself.

©2009 John F. Ross (P)2018 Tantor Audio

A good listen on a often forgotten man of history

Well written & narration on the man, myth & legend Robert Rodgers. An American raised on the frontier in Colonial America. No military training in the literal sense that we think of. Growing up comes to be the father of the Rangers with his principles that he authored still taught today. A complex man was he a thief? Perhaps the devil as he Native American opponents characterized him? No doubt about his bravery but a victim of times of peace for a man of war? Listen & decide for yourself. You will not be sorry that you did!

Very interesting.

A good work about a misunderstood, flawed, and overlooked character from the American Colonial experience. Book does a very good job of examining Rogers legacy, and impact on today's military doctrine. The lessons he learned, taught, and were subsequently forgotten. If you are interested in Colonial history this is one to have.

Awsome

This book is amazing if you like the nitty gritty details of battles, along with some blanket information for context.

history

this was a really good book with no lack of attention to details i extreme recommed

Truly an epic story

Of Rogers the colonies and England. And he’s the one who captured Nathan Hale A special ops pioneer

The original RLTW

For any Ranger hopeful or history buff this book is a fantastic read. It has multiple points of interest for anyone who has dealt with or is interested in small unit tactics. This book is a study on Robert Rogers specifically and was easy to digest. You will definitely lose yourself in the story.

Great history read

i was totally immerst in this well written and factual story about the beginnings of the American army's First Ranger start during the French and Indian wars before the war of independence from Englind if you enjoy history i think you will enjoy this book

As a Retired Army SF/Ranger…

I found Ross’s biography not only illuminating, but thorough and certainly entertaining. The author’s reflections upon small unit tactics and the ‘Father” of todays Ranger Regiments and Special Operations are accurate and fascinating. In fact, his apparent adoration of Robert Rogers borders on hero worship… So much so that it is somewhat disconcerting. And the narrator’s academic sing song, is better suited on a different subject. Nonetheless, the scholarship appears excellent, and the only reason Ross does not get a five is his inability to eschew politically correct editorializing when speaking of white/native interaction. In short, spare me the liberal virtue signaling from the perspective of 250 years hindsight.. your opinions, judgments and subsequent conclusions are misplaced in this biography.

Unique history.

Not having visual references of the letters and maps referred to in the book. It would have been helpful to understanding.

The ill treatment Rogers endured at the hands of his British officer superiors

The fast paced telling of Roger’s many warfare exploits. The adoration and dedication his rangers displayed.