Project Appleseed

Our Welcome Center => History => Topic started by: T. WOLF on July 29, 2020, 10:50:29 PM

Title: Special Operations in the American Revolution
Post by: T. WOLF on July 29, 2020, 10:50:29 PM
I saw this book referenced in the History section of the new KD manual (Appendix E, Section 7, Page 73: Ethan Allen and Fort Ticonderoga)

Has anybody read this entire book?  Is it worth the price of admission?

Special Operations in the American Revolution
by Robert L Tonsetic
(https://www.amazon.com/Special-Operations-American-Revolution-Tonsetic-ebook/dp/B00E0OQC7C/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1596073283&sr=1-1)
Title: Re: Special Operations in the American Revolution
Post by: dond on July 30, 2020, 01:07:10 PM
I'm the one who entered it in the manual. It describes a number of different battles and I have read most of them. It has been used it in some of my history presentations. It is definitely worth the price of admission.
Title: Re: Special Operations in the American Revolution
Post by: CarrollMS on July 30, 2020, 01:11:09 PM
I take exception on the subscription "the beginning of modern Special Ops." - no, IMHO, Rogers Rangers should get that honor. I'll put this on my read list. Thanks

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Rogers%27_28_%22Rules_of_Ranging%22
Title: Re: Special Operations in the American Revolution
Post by: dond on July 30, 2020, 01:21:23 PM
Then you will enjoy reading War on the Run by John F. Ross, Mark. I haven't read it myself yet, but I will.
Title: Re: Special Operations in the American Revolution
Post by: scuzzy on July 31, 2020, 05:38:22 PM
Let's not forget William Quantrill.

It's said he was brutal. Maybe you had to be there. As they say - history is written by the winners.
Title: Re: Special Operations in the American Revolution
Post by: T. WOLF on July 31, 2020, 06:46:44 PM
Quote from: dond on July 30, 2020, 01:07:10 PM
I'm the one who entered it in the manual. It describes a number of different battles and I have read most of them. It has been used it in some of my history presentations. It is definitely worth the price of admission.

Good stuff. 

Adding these to my reading queue.
thanks folks!
Title: Re: Special Operations in the American Revolution
Post by: T. WOLF on July 31, 2020, 06:50:16 PM
PS - the Kindle price managed to drop from $9.99 to $2.99 in the time since I posted this thread.  Just grabbed it right now for three bucks - good deal!

I never did understand how Amazon charges 10-15 dollars for a book that requires no paper, printing, binding or distribution.  Hopefully most of that money goes back to the authors.
Title: Re: Special Operations in the American Revolution
Post by: Guntuckian on July 31, 2020, 06:57:55 PM
I grabbed a copy for my Kindle, too!  Three bucks is a good deal!  Thanks!
Title: Re: Special Operations in the American Revolution
Post by: CarrollMS on July 31, 2020, 09:22:17 PM
Quote from: Guntuckian on July 31, 2020, 06:57:55 PM
I grabbed a copy for my Kindle, too!  Three bucks is a good deal!  Thanks!

Same here. Thanks for the alert.
Title: Re: Special Operations in the American Revolution
Post by: dond on July 31, 2020, 09:37:42 PM
Scuzzy, I am so glad you mentioned Quantrill. I have prepared and given lectures on him based on two books written by Paul R. Petersen. He is a Marine veteran schooled and practiced in guerrilla tactics who discovered that the tactics he used were those used by Quantrill. He even used Black spies who wanted to ride with him, but he considered them too valuable for that. His brutal reputation is based on the Northerner's versions, but the Northerners were actually more brutal than he was. His reputation is richly undeserved. Yes, the winners do write the history, as inaccurate as it may be.
Title: Re: Special Operations in the American Revolution
Post by: cornhskr on July 31, 2020, 10:40:09 PM
Still $2.99 on Kindle.  I hit it.
Title: Re: Special Operations in the American Revolution
Post by: Catch-10-22 on August 06, 2020, 09:47:48 PM
Just finished the book last night. Really enjoyed it. Some were stories I read in other book but there were new ones too - I really enjoyed the forage and whale boat wars. Liked the analysis of how these actions reflected current doctrine and operational concepts - you can see real admiration for the some of the most sophisticated leaders and ops.

Interesting to read more about how much Washington loved his Rangers, spies, and militia unconventional warfare. Was a bit surprising to see that consistency after reading about his hot/cold relationship with Daniel Morgan and riflemen in the recent Morgan biography.

Mine was $10 (bought before the discount) but worth it. Thanks for the recommendation!