War on the Run

September 1, 2009
Ross (executive editor, "American Heritage") presents a new and much-needed biography of fabled frontiersman Rogers, Indian fighter of the French and Indian War, who has received surprisingly little academic treatment. Rogers is best known for creating a group of rangers, or light infantry, familiar with the wilderness tactics practiced by American Indians and effectively engaging in scouting actions and light raids. Ross argues that Rogers played a key role in adjusting his fellow colonists' perception of the wilderness from one of fear and uncertainty to one of possibility. Rogers's entire life is recounted here, from his upbringing on the fringes of New Hampshire society to his actions in the French and Indian War, his conflicts with both allied and enemy officers, and his constant financial troubles, which would eventually lead to his imprisonment. Many readers will likely be surprised to hear that Rogers sided with Britain during the American Revolution and was responsible for capturing Nathan Hale, one of America's first tragic heroes. VERDICT A lively read based on quality sources, this volume should find enthusiastic readers among general history buffs as well as students of Colonial America.Matthew J. Wayman, Penn State Schuylkill Lib.

Copyright 2009 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

May 1, 2009
Modern practitioners of military special operations know of Robert Rogers principles of their craft, but history readers are apt to ask, Rogers who? American Heritage editor Ross answers that query absorbingly, creating a colorful portrait of a remarkable American colonial officer of the French and Indian War. Of Scots-Irish immigrant heritage, Rogers (173195) experienced frontier raids in what is now New Hampshire in his boyhood. As a young man, Rogers acquitted himself with shrewd scouting as well as in brutal battles with woodland parties of the French and their Indian allies and was awarded an officers commission in the British army (an honor George Washington coveted in vain). Rogers hard-won eminence in colonial society came apart after the peace of 1763. He was court-martialed, went to debtors prison, sided with Tories in 1776, ensnared Nathan Hale, then receded from history. Ross recovery of Rogers from the footnotes closes a gap in colonial historiography with a sanguinary war biography that is practically a movie script unto itself. Buffs of the period will love it.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2009, American Library Association.)