Overview

The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier is sacred ground at Arlington National Cemetery. Originally constructed in 1921 to hold one of the thousands of unidentified American soldiers lost in World War I, it now also contains unknowns from World War II and the Korean and Vietnam Wars, and receives millions of visitors each year who pay silent tribute. When the first Unknown Soldier was laid to rest in Arlington, General John Pershing, commander of the American Expeditionary Force in WWI, seleted eight of America's most decorated, battle-hardened veterans to serve as Body Bearers. For the first time O'Donnell portrays their heroics on the battlefield one hundred years ago, thereby animating the Tomb by giving voice to all who have served. The Body Bearers appropriately spanned America's service branches and specialties. Their ranks include a cowboy who relived the charge of the light brigade, an American Indian who heroically breached mountains of German barbed wire, a salty New Englander who dueled a U-boat for hours in a fierce gunfight, a tough New Yorker who sacrificed his body to save his ship, and an indomitable gunner who, though blinded by gas, nonetheless overcame five machine-gun nests. Their stories slip easily into the larger narrative of America's involvement in the conflict, transporting readers into the midst of dramatic battles during 1917-1918 that ultimately decided the Great War. Celebrated military historian and bestselling author Patrick O'Donnell illuminates the saga behind the creation of the Tomb itself and recreates the moving ceremony during which it was consecrated and the eight Body Bearers, and the sergeant who had chosen the one body to be interred, solemnly united. Brilliantly researched, vividly told, The Unknowns is a timeless tale of heeding the calls of duty and brotherhood, and humanizes the most consequential event of the twentieth century, which still casts a shadow a century later.

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9780802128331

Table of Contents

Reviews

Praise for Washington's Immortals Winner of the Daughters of the American Revolution National Excellence in American History Book Award Named one of the 100 Best American Revolution Books of All Time by the Journal of the American Revolution Finalist for the 2017 Library of Virginia People's Choice Award for Nonfiction An Amazon Best Book of the Year So Far (History) What makes Washington's Immortals different from most Revolutionary War accounts is its seamless blend of tactical acumen and human drama . . . O'Donnell admirably blends a story of ardent farmers, merchants and mariners with a combat story of sharp, bloody engagements . . . [He] makes fluid use of letters, diaries, pension affidavits and early histories to bring home the carnage of war as the foot soldier saw it . . . Washington's Immortals is an example of combat writing at its best. --Wall Street Journal A powerful narrative . . . a must-read for those with deep or casual interest in the American Revolution. --Journal of the American Revolution Well-written, and superbly researched . . . [A] compelling story of the Maryland Regiment . . . Intimate and often inspiring . . . O'Donnell is at the top of his game . . . A must-read for Revolutionary War and Maryland history buffs alike. --Baltimore Post-Examiner Gritty . . . a 'boots on the ground' account, with great storytelling verve . . . For readers who enjoy well-researched military history, this is the book for you. --Washington Independent Review of Books [Washington's Immortals is] nothing short of remarkable . . . O'Donnell has put together, with beautiful transitions, the compelling story of the Revolutionary War through the eyes of the regular soldier . . . You don't have to be a military history devotee to appreciate the book . . . It put[s] the whole Revolutionary War into sequential perspective. --Daily Press Compelling . . . Washington's Immortals is well-researched and . . . lively. --Fayetteville Observer A boots-on-the-ground account that . . . personalize[s] brave men whose names have fallen into the crevices of history . . . A strong point of Mr. O'Donnell's book is his adept skill in describing military tactical maneuvers. --Washington Times O'Donnell writes about war from the soldiers' weary, battle-scarred perspective . . . At the same time, he describes and analyzes the strategic and tactical elements of battle with an even-handed regard to the wisdom and errors on each side . . . Through his vivid prose, we smell the sulfur in the gunsmoke and hear the fierce and often final cries of the combatants . . . Reveal[s] an important and little-known part of the sprawling history of the Revolution. --American Spirit An incredible book . . . I encourage all of you to get out and purchase this . . . I love the book . . . if you like military history, this is a great book. --Rick Crandall, Breakfast Club, KEZW 1430 AM O'Donnell does a fantastic job telling the story of these men and their role in the war . . . A rich and compelling narrative . . . Definitely recommended . . . You don't need to be a scholar of the Revolution to enjoy the book. --Historia Militaris O'Donnell deploys a fusillade of fact and fresh research in a Revolutionary War history rich in irony and event . . . Readers will admire O'Donnell's exhaustive research, skilled organization of the material, and the high readability of the writing . . . With a firm grasp of tactics, strategy, and the sociopolitical landscape, O'Donnell captures the horror and absurdities of the war better than most. --Kirkus Reviews Using primary sources from both sides of the Atlantic, O'Donnell effectively traces the story of Maryland's immortals, describing their battles authentically along with the precariousness of the American cause. This book will be of interest to both general readers and scholars interested in the military aspects of the American Revolution. --Library Journal O'Donnell . . . [spent] five years researching the Marylanders' exploits, visiting every battlefield where they fought from New York to South Carolina and combing through archives in the U.S. and Britain. What he learned prompted him to dub those patriots America's original band of brothers, men who continued the fight despite overwhelming odds and constant lack of food, clothing and equipment. --Associated Press An epic story of heroism and devotion that begins with the formation of the unit in Baltimore during the winter of 1774 --Breitbart Washington's Immortals tells the extraordinary story of the most important band of brothers, forgotten men who changed the course of American history. This is O'Donnell at his very best--a deeply moving, superbly researched page turner. --Alex Kershaw, New York Times bestselling author of The Bedford Boys and The Longest Winter Patrick O'Donnell has pioneered the pursuit of dogged research and the collection of revealing oral histories to produce moving accounts of key moments in American history. Now he's set his sights on the Revolutionary War. Washington's Immortals is a fascinating story about an important and largely overlooked Maryland unit in that war. It will definitely keep you turning pages. --Douglas C. Waller, New York Times bestselling author of Disciples: The World War II Missions of the CIA Directors Who Fought for Wild Bill Donovan and Wild Bill Donovan Washington's Immortals is an amazing tale of pluck and devotion among one of the U.S. Army's first elite outfits, the Maryland Line. O'Donnell expertly brings the valiant citizen-soldiers to life with vivid prose and meticulous primary-source research. Highly recommended. --Joseph Balkoski, author of The Last Roll Call, and director of the Maryland Museum of Military History Patrick O'Donnell is blessed with a rare gift for storytelling and a keen empathy for the realities of soldiers in combat. He walks in the footsteps of his subjects like few other historians are able--or willing--to do. In this impressively researched, well written book, he brings the world of the American Revolution to life with an immediacy that almost defies belief. By focusing on one group of stalwart soldiers who sacrificed so much for the sake of their ideals, O'Donnell sheds important new light on the motivation and actions of America's most effective revolutionaries. Washington's Immortals is a must read for anyone even remotely interested in the American combat soldier, regardless of the era. --John C. McManus, Curators' Professor of US Military History, Missouri University of Science and Technology; author of The Dead and Those About to Die, D-Day: The Big Red One at Omaha Beach, and Grunts: Inside the American Infantry Combat Experience Patrick K. O'Donnell's newest work is not so much a forgotten page of our history as it is a truly untold story--a story that takes us into the lives of a unit caught up in a world-changing struggle to throw off the shackles of colonialism. The reader will learn things here about the American Revolution that were never taught in high-school history classes. O'Donnell's admirably researched and gripping narrative is a tribute to these forgotten patriot-warriors, and a must-read for students of American military history. --Will Irwin, Senior Fellow, Joint Special Operations University, author of The Jedburghs and Abundance of Valor Patrick O'Donnell has written what portends to be the definitive history of the famous Revolutionary War era 'Maryland Line.' Long considered by historians as George Washington's Continental Army shock troops, O'Donnell tells a thoroughly entertaining and highly readable story. From Brooklyn Heights to Yorktown, O'Donnell clearly shows why this particular band of brothers earned the title of Washington's Immortals. --Charles P. Neimeyer, Ph.D., Director and Chief of Marine Corps History, Marine Corps University, Quantico, Virginia Through a long war that was frequently on the verge of disaster, soldiers from Maryland repeatedly played a pivotal role in the Continental army's narrow escapes and surprise victories. Washington's Immortals is a soldiers-eye view of the Marylanders who fought in the Revolution's most desperate clashes. O'Donnell weaves together first-hand accounts, many from archival sources never before published, to reveal the struggles and triumphs of this remarkable regiment and the men who were part of it. --Don N. Hagist, author of British Soldiers, American War Patrick O'Donnell has written one of the most extraordinary books on the American Revolution that I have read. Every page brings unexpected personal stories and other historical treasures to vivid life. It's unique! --Thomas Fleming, author of Liberty!: The American Revolution Patrick O'Donnell brings us into the Revolution through the experiences of the officers and men of a crack Maryland unit that was in it from beginning to end. This is splendid history--intimate, immediate, sweeping, inspiring. You should, and you will, honor these men. --Richard Brookhiser, author of Founding Father: Rediscovering George Washington and Alexander Hamilton, American General George Washington honored the soldiers of the 1st Maryland Regiment of the Continental Army for their service and sacrifice by calling them the 'men of the old line.' In continuing tribute to them, Maryland still proclaims its nickname as 'The Old Line State.' In Washington's Immortals, noted military historian Patrick O'Donnell has written a gripping account of the men and units that made up the Maryland Line during our War for Independence who first earned that glorious nickname, and which the soldiers of the Maryland Army National Guard's 175th Infantry continued to do so at places with names like Gettysburg, Normandy, and Iraq. --Glenn F. Williams, author of Dunmore's War: The Last Conflict of America's Colonial Era Perhaps no war in American history has been more difficult to see through soldiers' eyes than the Revolutionary War. Patrick O'Donnell brings their experiences to life for twenty-first century readers in a way that no other historian has managed to do, accomplishing for the Revolutionary War what Stephen Ambrose's Band of Brothers did for World War II. The 1st Maryland Regiment participated in some of the most important battles of the war, gradually progressing from ordinary to elite status. Its story is the story of how the people of the United States became free. --Edward G. Lengel, Editor-in-Chief of The Papers of George Washington and author of Inventing George Washington

Praise for The Unknowns Patrick K. O'Donnell's The Unknowns vividly captures the harrowing experiences of eight heroes who survived the savage maelstrom of World War, and were later selected for the sacred honor of escorting home America's Unknown Soldier. Brilliant in conception and style, The Unknowns presents the awe-inspiring and profoundly moving story of The Great War from the viewpoint of the men who fought, sacrificed and bled to win it. The outpouring of books marking the 100th anniversary of World War I is well underway; The Unknowns is the first of them that is a 'must read' . . . an incredible story related by a master storyteller! --James Lacey, author of Pershing and the forthcoming The Washington War and professor of military science at the Marine Corps University Very few historians can bring our military past to life like Patrick O'Donnell. The Unknowns shines new and welcome light on the 'forgotten generation' of Americans who fought World War One. Throughout these well written, absorbing, moving pages, we come to know the doughboys and sailors of the Great War like never before. Read this book and you will never think of the Unknown Soldier the same way again. --John C. McManus, Ph.D., author of The Dead and Those About to Die and Deadly Sky Praise for Washington's Immortals Winner of the Daughters of the American Revolution National Excellence in American History Book Award Named one of the 100 Best American Revolution Books of All Time by the Journal of the American Revolution Finalist for the 2017 Library of Virginia People's Choice Award for Nonfiction An Amazon Best Book of the Year So Far (History) What makes Washington's Immortals different from most Revolutionary War accounts is its seamless blend of tactical acumen and human drama . . . O'Donnell admirably blends a story of ardent farmers, merchants and mariners with a combat story of sharp, bloody engagements . . . [He] makes fluid use of letters, diaries, pension affidavits and early histories to bring home the carnage of war as the foot soldier saw it . . . Washington's Immortals is an example of combat writing at its best. --Wall Street Journal A powerful narrative . . . a must-read for those with deep or casual interest in the American Revolution. --Journal of the American Revolution Well-written, and superbly researched . . . [A] compelling story of the Maryland Regiment . . . Intimate and often inspiring . . . O'Donnell is at the top of his game . . . A must-read for Revolutionary War and Maryland history buffs alike. --Baltimore Post-Examiner Gritty . . . a 'boots on the ground' account, with great storytelling verve . . . For readers who enjoy well-researched military history, this is the book for you. --Washington Independent Review of Books [Washington's Immortals is] nothing short of remarkable . . . O'Donnell has put together, with beautiful transitions, the compelling story of the Revolutionary War through the eyes of the regular soldier . . . You don't have to be a military history devotee to appreciate the book . . . It put[s] the whole Revolutionary War into sequential perspective. --Daily Press Compelling . . . Washington's Immortals is well-researched and . . . lively. --Fayetteville Observer A boots-on-the-ground account that . . . personalize[s] brave men whose names have fallen into the crevices of history . . . A strong point of Mr. O'Donnell's book is his adept skill in describing military tactical maneuvers. --Washington Times O'Donnell writes about war from the soldiers' weary, battle-scarred perspective . . . At the same time, he describes and analyzes the strategic and tactical elements of battle with an even-handed regard to the wisdom and errors on each side . . . Through his vivid prose, we smell the sulfur in the gunsmoke and hear the fierce and often final cries of the combatants . . . Reveal[s] an important and little-known part of the sprawling history of the Revolution. --American Spirit An incredible book . . . I encourage all of you to get out and purchase this . . . I love the book . . . if you like military history, this is a great book. --Rick Crandall, Breakfast Club, KEZW 1430 AM O'Donnell does a fantastic job telling the story of these men and their role in the war . . . A rich and compelling narrative . . . Definitely recommended . . . You don't need to be a scholar of the Revolution to enjoy the book. --Historia Militaris O'Donnell deploys a fusillade of fact and fresh research in a Revolutionary War history rich in irony and event . . . Readers will admire O'Donnell's exhaustive research, skilled organization of the material, and the high readability of the writing . . . With a firm grasp of tactics, strategy, and the sociopolitical landscape, O'Donnell captures the horror and absurdities of the war better than most. --Kirkus Reviews Using primary sources from both sides of the Atlantic, O'Donnell effectively traces the story of Maryland's immortals, describing their battles authentically along with the precariousness of the American cause. This book will be of interest to both general readers and scholars interested in the military aspects of the American Revolution. --Library Journal O'Donnell . . . [spent] five years researching the Marylanders' exploits, visiting every battlefield where they fought from New York to South Carolina and combing through archives in the U.S. and Britain. What he learned prompted him to dub those patriots America's original band of brothers, men who continued the fight despite overwhelming odds and constant lack of food, clothing and equipment. --Associated Press An epic story of heroism and devotion that begins with the formation of the unit in Baltimore during the winter of 1774 --Breitbart Washington's Immortals tells the extraordinary story of the most important band of brothers, forgotten men who changed the course of American history. This is O'Donnell at his very best--a deeply moving, superbly researched page turner. --Alex Kershaw, New York Times bestselling author of The Bedford Boys and The Longest Winter Patrick O'Donnell has pioneered the pursuit of dogged research and the collection of revealing oral histories to produce moving accounts of key moments in American history. Now he's set his sights on the Revolutionary War. Washington's Immortals is a fascinating story about an important and largely overlooked Maryland unit in that war. It will definitely keep you turning pages. --Douglas C. Waller, New York Times bestselling author of Disciples: The World War II Missions of the CIA Directors Who Fought for Wild Bill Donovan and Wild Bill Donovan Washington's Immortals is an amazing tale of pluck and devotion among one of the U.S. Army's first elite outfits, the Maryland Line. O'Donnell expertly brings the valiant citizen-soldiers to life with vivid prose and meticulous primary-source research. Highly recommended. --Joseph Balkoski, author of The Last Roll Call, and director of the Maryland Museum of Military History Patrick O'Donnell is blessed with a rare gift for storytelling and a keen empathy for the realities of soldiers in combat. He walks in the footsteps of his subjects like few other historians are able--or willing--to do. In this impressively researched, well written book, he brings the world of the American Revolution to life with an immediacy that almost defies belief. By focusing on one group of stalwart soldiers who sacrificed so much for the sake of their ideals, O'Donnell sheds important new light on the motivation and actions of America's most effective revolutionaries. Washington's Immortals is a must read for anyone even remotely interested in the American combat soldier, regardless of the era. --John C. McManus, Curators' Professor of US Military History, Missouri University of Science and Technology; author of The Dead and Those About to Die, D-Day: The Big Red One at Omaha Beach, and Grunts: Inside the American Infantry Combat Experience Patrick K. O'Donnell's newest work is not so much a forgotten page of our history as it is a truly untold story--a story that takes us into the lives of a unit caught up in a world-changing struggle to throw off the shackles of colonialism. The reader will learn things here about the American Revolution that were never taught in high-school history classes. O'Donnell's admirably researched and gripping narrative is a tribute to these forgotten patriot-warriors, and a must-read for students of American military history. --Will Irwin, Senior Fellow, Joint Special Operations University, author of The Jedburghs and Abundance of Valor Patrick O'Donnell has written what portends to be the definitive history of the famous Revolutionary War era 'Maryland Line.' Long considered by historians as George Washington's Continental Army shock troops, O'Donnell tells a thoroughly entertaining and highly readable story. From Brooklyn Heights to Yorktown, O'Donnell clearly shows why this particular band of brothers earned the title of Washington's Immortals. --Charles P. Neimeyer, Ph.D., Director and Chief of Marine Corps History, Marine Corps University, Quantico, Virginia Through a long war that was frequently on the verge of disaster, soldiers from Maryland repeatedly played a pivotal role in the Continental army's narrow escapes and surprise victories. Washington's Immortals is a soldiers-eye view of the Marylanders who fought in the Revolution's most desperate clashes. O'Donnell weaves together first-hand accounts, many from archival sources never before published, to reveal the struggles and triumphs of this remarkable regiment and the men who were part of it. --Don N. Hagist, author of British Soldiers, American War Patrick O'Donnell has written one of the most extraordinary books on the American Revolution that I have read. Every page brings unexpected personal stories and other historical treasures to vivid life. It's unique! --Thomas Fleming, author of Liberty!: The American Revolution Patrick O'Donnell brings us into the Revolution through the experiences of the officers and men of a crack Maryland unit that was in it from beginning to end. This is splendid history--intimate, immediate, sweeping, inspiring. You should, and you will, honor these men. --Richard Brookhiser, author of Founding Father: Rediscovering George Washington and Alexander Hamilton, American General George Washington honored the soldiers of the 1st Maryland Regiment of the Continental Army for their service and sacrifice by calling them the 'men of the old line.' In continuing tribute to them, Maryland still proclaims its nickname as 'The Old Line State.' In Washington's Immortals, noted military historian Patrick O'Donnell has written a gripping account of the men and units that made up the Maryland Line during our War for Independence who first earned that glorious nickname, and which the soldiers of the Maryland Army National Guard's 175th Infantry continued to do so at places with names like Gettysburg, Normandy, and Iraq. --Glenn F. Williams, author of Dunmore's War: The Last Conflict of America's Colonial Era Perhaps no war in American history has been more difficult to see through soldiers' eyes than the Revolutionary War. Patrick O'Donnell brings their experiences to life for twenty-first century readers in a way that no other historian has managed to do, accomplishing for the Revolutionary War what Stephen Ambrose's Band of Brothers did for World War II. The 1st Maryland Regiment participated in some of the most important battles of the war, gradually progressing from ordinary to elite status. Its story is the story of how the people of the United States became free. --Edward G. Lengel, Editor-in-Chief of The Papers of George Washington and author of Inventing George Washington Praise for Washington's Immortals Winner of the Daughters of the American Revolution National Excellence in American History Book Award Named one of the 100 Best American Revolution Books of All Time by the Journal of the American Revolution Finalist for the 2017 Library of Virginia People's Choice Award for Nonfiction An Amazon Best Book of the Year So Far (History) What makes Washington's Immortals different from most Revolutionary War accounts is its seamless blend of tactical acumen and human drama . . . O'Donnell admirably blends a story of ardent farmers, merchants and mariners with a combat story of sharp, bloody engagements . . . [He] makes fluid use of letters, diaries, pension affidavits and early histories to bring home the carnage of war as the foot soldier saw it . . . Washington's Immortals is an example of combat writing at its best. --Wall Street Journal A powerful narrative . . . a must-read for those with deep or casual interest in the American Revolution. --Journal of the American Revolution Well-written, and superbly researched . . . [A] compelling story of the Maryland Regiment . . . Intimate and often inspiring . . . O'Donnell is at the top of his game . . . A must-read for Revolutionary War and Maryland history buffs alike. --Baltimore Post-Examiner Gritty . . . a 'boots on the ground' account, with great storytelling verve . . . For readers who enjoy well-researched military history, this is the book for you. --Washington Independent Review of Books [Washington's Immortals is] nothing short of remarkable . . . O'Donnell has put together, with beautiful transitions, the compelling story of the Revolutionary War through the eyes of the regular soldier . . . You don't have to be a military history devotee to appreciate the book . . . It put[s] the whole Revolutionary War into sequential perspective. --Daily Press Compelling . . . Washington's Immortals is well-researched and . . . lively. --Fayetteville Observer A boots-on-the-ground account that . . . personalize[s] brave men whose names have fallen into the crevices of history . . . A strong point of Mr. O'Donnell's book is his adept skill in describing military tactical maneuvers. --Washington Times O'Donnell writes about war from the soldiers' weary, battle-scarred perspective . . . At the same time, he describes and analyzes the strategic and tactical elements of battle with an even-handed regard to the wisdom and errors on each side . . . Through his vivid prose, we smell the sulfur in the gunsmoke and hear the fierce and often final cries of the combatants . . . Reveal[s] an important and little-known part of the sprawling history of the Revolution. --American Spirit An incredible book . . . I encourage all of you to get out and purchase this . . . I love the book . . . if you like military history, this is a great book. --Rick Crandall, Breakfast Club, KEZW 1430 AM O'Donnell does a fantastic job telling the story of these men and their role in the war . . . A rich and compelling narrative . . . Definitely recommended . . . You don't need to be a scholar of the Revolution to enjoy the book. --Historia Militaris O'Donnell deploys a fusillade of fact and fresh research in a Revolutionary War history rich in irony and event . . . Readers will admire O'Donnell's exhaustive research, skilled organization of the material, and the high readability of the writing . . . With a firm grasp of tactics, strategy, and the sociopolitical landscape, O'Donnell captures the horror and absurdities of the war better than most. --Kirkus Reviews Using primary sources from both sides of the Atlantic, O'Donnell effectively traces the story of Maryland's immortals, describing their battles authentically along with the precariousness of the American cause. This book will be of interest to both general readers and scholars interested in the military aspects of the American Revolution. --Library Journal O'Donnell . . . [spent] five years researching the Marylanders' exploits, visiting every battlefield where they fought from New York to South Carolina and combing through archives in the U.S. and Britain. What he learned prompted him to dub those patriots America's original band of brothers, men who continued the fight despite overwhelming odds and constant lack of food, clothing and equipment. --Associated Press An epic story of heroism and devotion that begins with the formation of the unit in Baltimore during the winter of 1774 --Breitbart Washington's Immortals tells the extraordinary story of the most important band of brothers, forgotten men who changed the course of American history. This is O'Donnell at his very best--a deeply moving, superbly researched page turner. --Alex Kershaw, New York Times bestselling author of The Bedford Boys and The Longest Winter Patrick O'Donnell has pioneered the pursuit of dogged research and the collection of revealing oral histories to produce moving accounts of key moments in American history. Now he's set his sights on the Revolutionary War. Washington's Immortals is a fascinating story about an important and largely overlooked Maryland unit in that war. It will definitely keep you turning pages. --Douglas C. Waller, New York Times bestselling author of Disciples: The World War II Missions of the CIA Directors Who Fought for Wild Bill Donovan and Wild Bill Donovan Washington's Immortals is an amazing tale of pluck and devotion among one of the U.S. Army's first elite outfits, the Maryland Line. O'Donnell expertly brings the valiant citizen-soldiers to life with vivid prose and meticulous primary-source research. Highly recommended. --Joseph Balkoski, author of The Last Roll Call, and director of the Maryland Museum of Military History Patrick O'Donnell is blessed with a rare gift for storytelling and a keen empathy for the realities of soldiers in combat. He walks in the footsteps of his subjects like few other historians are able--or willing--to do. In this impressively researched, well written book, he brings the world of the American Revolution to life with an immediacy that almost defies belief. By focusing on one group of stalwart soldiers who sacrificed so much for the sake of their ideals, O'Donnell sheds important new light on the motivation and actions of America's most effective revolutionaries. Washington's Immortals is a must read for anyone even remotely interested in the American combat soldier, regardless of the era. --John C. McManus, Curators' Professor of US Military History, Missouri University of Science and Technology; author of The Dead and Those About to Die, D-Day: The Big Red One at Omaha Beach, and Grunts: Inside the American Infantry Combat Experience Patrick K. O'Donnell's newest work is not so much a forgotten page of our history as it is a truly untold story--a story that takes us into the lives of a unit caught up in a world-changing struggle to throw off the shackles of colonialism. The reader will learn things here about the American Revolution that were never taught in high-school history classes. O'Donnell's admirably researched and gripping narrative is a tribute to these forgotten patriot-warriors, and a must-read for students of American military history. --Will Irwin, Senior Fellow, Joint Special Operations University, author of The Jedburghs and Abundance of Valor Patrick O'Donnell has written what portends to be the definitive history of the famous Revolutionary War era 'Maryland Line.' Long considered by historians as George Washington's Continental Army shock troops, O'Donnell tells a thoroughly entertaining and highly readable story. From Brooklyn Heights to Yorktown, O'Donnell clearly shows why this particular band of brothers earned the title of Washington's Immortals. --Charles P. Neimeyer, Ph.D., Director and Chief of Marine Corps History, Marine Corps University, Quantico, Virginia Through a long war that was frequently on the verge of disaster, soldiers from Maryland repeatedly played a pivotal role in the Continental army's narrow escapes and surprise victories. Washington's Immortals is a soldiers-eye view of the Marylanders who fought in the Revolution's most desperate clashes. O'Donnell weaves together first-hand accounts, many from archival sources never before published, to reveal the struggles and triumphs of this remarkable regiment and the men who were part of it. --Don N. Hagist, author of British Soldiers, American War Patrick O'Donnell has written one of the most extraordinary books on the American Revolution that I have read. Every page brings unexpected personal stories and other historical treasures to vivid life. It's unique! --Thomas Fleming, author of Liberty!: The American Revolution Patrick O'Donnell brings us into the Revolution through the experiences of the officers and men of a crack Maryland unit that was in it from beginning to end. This is splendid history--intimate, immediate, sweeping, inspiring. You should, and you will, honor these men. --Richard Brookhiser, author of Founding Father: Rediscovering George Washington and Alexander Hamilton, American General George Washington honored the soldiers of the 1st Maryland Regiment of the Continental Army for their service and sacrifice by calling them the 'men of the old line.' In continuing tribute to them, Maryland still proclaims its nickname as 'The Old Line State.' In Washington's Immortals, noted military historian Patrick O'Donnell has written a gripping account of the men and units that made up the Maryland Line during our War for Independence who first earned that glorious nickname, and which the soldiers of the Maryland Army National Guard's 175th Infantry continued to do so at places with names like Gettysburg, Normandy, and Iraq. --Glenn F. Williams, author of Dunmore's War: The Last Conflict of America's Colonial Era Perhaps no war in American history has been more difficult to see through soldiers' eyes than the Revolutionary War. Patrick O'Donnell brings their experiences to life for twenty-first century readers in a way that no other historian has managed to do, accomplishing for the Revolutionary War what Stephen Ambrose's Band of Brothers did for World War II. The 1st Maryland Regiment participated in some of the most important battles of the war, gradually progressing from ordinary to elite status. Its story is the story of how the people of the United States became free. --Edward G. Lengel, Editor-in-Chief of The Papers of George Washington and author of Inventing George Washington

Praise for The Unknowns Patrick K. O'Donnell's The Unknowns vividly captures the harrowing experiences of eight heroes who survived the savage maelstrom of World War, and were later selected for the sacred honor of escorting home America's Unknown Soldier. Brilliant in conception and style, The Unknowns presents the awe-inspiring and profoundly moving story of The Great War from the viewpoint of the men who fought, sacrificed and bled to win it. The outpouring of books marking the 100th anniversary of World War I is well underway; The Unknowns is the first of them that is a 'must read' . . . an incredible story related by a master storyteller! --James Lacey, author of Pershing and the forthcoming The Washington War and professor of military science at the Marine Corps University Very few historians can bring our military past to life like Patrick O'Donnell. The Unknowns shines new and welcome light on the 'forgotten generation' of Americans who fought World War One. Throughout these well written, absorbing, moving pages, we come to know the doughboys and sailors of the Great War like never before. Read this book and you will never think of the Unknown Soldier the same way again. --John C. McManus, Ph.D., author of The Dead and Those About to Die and Deadly Sky Patrick K. O'Donnell's highly readable and extremely interesting book, The Unknowns, is more than just an account about the American servicemen who escorted the Unknown Soldier, it also encompasses the story of American involvement and the sacrifice of young Americans in the Great War. It is a masterful tour de force of that by-gone era. --Col. Richard Camp, author of The Devil Dogs at Belleau Wood: U.S. Marines in World War I Praise for Washington's Immortals Winner of the Daughters of the American Revolution National Excellence in American History Book Award Named one of the 100 Best American Revolution Books of All Time by the Journal of the American Revolution Finalist for the 2017 Library of Virginia People's Choice Award for Nonfiction An Amazon Best Book of the Year So Far (History) What makes Washington's Immortals different from most Revolutionary War accounts is its seamless blend of tactical acumen and human drama . . . O'Donnell admirably blends a story of ardent farmers, merchants and mariners with a combat story of sharp, bloody engagements . . . [He] makes fluid use of letters, diaries, pension affidavits and early histories to bring home the carnage of war as the foot soldier saw it . . . Washington's Immortals is an example of combat writing at its best. --Wall Street Journal A powerful narrative . . . a must-read for those with deep or casual interest in the American Revolution. --Journal of the American Revolution Well-written, and superbly researched . . . [A] compelling story of the Maryland Regiment . . . Intimate and often inspiring . . . O'Donnell is at the top of his game . . . A must-read for Revolutionary War and Maryland history buffs alike. --Baltimore Post-Examiner Gritty . . . a 'boots on the ground' account, with great storytelling verve . . . For readers who enjoy well-researched military history, this is the book for you. --Washington Independent Review of Books [Washington's Immortals is] nothing short of remarkable . . . O'Donnell has put together, with beautiful transitions, the compelling story of the Revolutionary War through the eyes of the regular soldier . . . You don't have to be a military history devotee to appreciate the book . . . It put[s] the whole Revolutionary War into sequential perspective. --Daily Press Compelling . . . Washington's Immortals is well-researched and . . . lively. --Fayetteville Observer A boots-on-the-ground account that . . . personalize[s] brave men whose names have fallen into the crevices of history . . . A strong point of Mr. O'Donnell's book is his adept skill in describing military tactical maneuvers. --Washington Times O'Donnell writes about war from the soldiers' weary, battle-scarred perspective . . . At the same time, he describes and analyzes the strategic and tactical elements of battle with an even-handed regard to the wisdom and errors on each side . . . Through his vivid prose, we smell the sulfur in the gunsmoke and hear the fierce and often final cries of the combatants . . . Reveal[s] an important and little-known part of the sprawling history of the Revolution. --American Spirit An incredible book . . . I encourage all of you to get out and purchase this . . . I love the book . . . if you like military history, this is a great book. --Rick Crandall, Breakfast Club, KEZW 1430 AM O'Donnell does a fantastic job telling the story of these men and their role in the war . . . A rich and compelling narrative . . . Definitely recommended . . . You don't need to be a scholar of the Revolution to enjoy the book. --Historia Militaris O'Donnell deploys a fusillade of fact and fresh research in a Revolutionary War history rich in irony and event . . . Readers will admire O'Donnell's exhaustive research, skilled organization of the material, and the high readability of the writing . . . With a firm grasp of tactics, strategy, and the sociopolitical landscape, O'Donnell captures the horror and absurdities of the war better than most. --Kirkus Reviews Using primary sources from both sides of the Atlantic, O'Donnell effectively traces the story of Maryland's immortals, describing their battles authentically along with the precariousness of the American cause. This book will be of interest to both general readers and scholars interested in the military aspects of the American Revolution. --Library Journal O'Donnell . . . [spent] five years researching the Marylanders' exploits, visiting every battlefield where they fought from New York to South Carolina and combing through archives in the U.S. and Britain. What he learned prompted him to dub those patriots America's original band of brothers, men who continued the fight despite overwhelming odds and constant lack of food, clothing and equipment. --Associated Press An epic story of heroism and devotion that begins with the formation of the unit in Baltimore during the winter of 1774 --Breitbart Washington's Immortals tells the extraordinary story of the most important band of brothers, forgotten men who changed the course of American history. This is O'Donnell at his very best--a deeply moving, superbly researched page turner. --Alex Kershaw, New York Times bestselling author of The Bedford Boys and The Longest Winter Patrick O'Donnell has pioneered the pursuit of dogged research and the collection of revealing oral histories to produce moving accounts of key moments in American history. Now he's set his sights on the Revolutionary War. Washington's Immortals is a fascinating story about an important and largely overlooked Maryland unit in that war. It will definitely keep you turning pages. --Douglas C. Waller, New York Times bestselling author of Disciples: The World War II Missions of the CIA Directors Who Fought for Wild Bill Donovan and Wild Bill Donovan Washington's Immortals is an amazing tale of pluck and devotion among one of the U.S. Army's first elite outfits, the Maryland Line. O'Donnell expertly brings the valiant citizen-soldiers to life with vivid prose and meticulous primary-source research. Highly recommended. --Joseph Balkoski, author of The Last Roll Call, and director of the Maryland Museum of Military History Patrick O'Donnell is blessed with a rare gift for storytelling and a keen empathy for the realities of soldiers in combat. He walks in the footsteps of his subjects like few other historians are able--or willing--to do. In this impressively researched, well written book, he brings the world of the American Revolution to life with an immediacy that almost defies belief. By focusing on one group of stalwart soldiers who sacrificed so much for the sake of their ideals, O'Donnell sheds important new light on the motivation and actions of America's most effective revolutionaries. Washington's Immortals is a must read for anyone even remotely interested in the American combat soldier, regardless of the era. --John C. McManus, Curators' Professor of US Military History, Missouri University of Science and Technology; author of The Dead and Those About to Die, D-Day: The Big Red One at Omaha Beach, and Grunts: Inside the American Infantry Combat Experience Patrick K. O'Donnell's newest work is not so much a forgotten page of our history as it is a truly untold story--a story that takes us into the lives of a unit caught up in a world-changing struggle to throw off the shackles of colonialism. The reader will learn things here about the American Revolution that were never taught in high-school history classes. O'Donnell's admirably researched and gripping narrative is a tribute to these forgotten patriot-warriors, and a must-read for students of American military history. --Will Irwin, Senior Fellow, Joint Special Operations University, author of The Jedburghs and Abundance of Valor Patrick O'Donnell has written what portends to be the definitive history of the famous Revolutionary War era 'Maryland Line.' Long considered by historians as George Washington's Continental Army shock troops, O'Donnell tells a thoroughly entertaining and highly readable story. From Brooklyn Heights to Yorktown, O'Donnell clearly shows why this particular band of brothers earned the title of Washington's Immortals. --Charles P. Neimeyer, Ph.D., Director and Chief of Marine Corps History, Marine Corps University, Quantico, Virginia Through a long war that was frequently on the verge of disaster, soldiers from Maryland repeatedly played a pivotal role in the Continental army's narrow escapes and surprise victories. Washington's Immortals is a soldiers-eye view of the Marylanders who fought in the Revolution's most desperate clashes. O'Donnell weaves together first-hand accounts, many from archival sources never before published, to reveal the struggles and triumphs of this remarkable regiment and the men who were part of it. --Don N. Hagist, author of British Soldiers, American War Patrick O'Donnell has written one of the most extraordinary books on the American Revolution that I have read. Every page brings unexpected personal stories and other historical treasures to vivid life. It's unique! --Thomas Fleming, author of Liberty!: The American Revolution Patrick O'Donnell brings us into the Revolution through the experiences of the officers and men of a crack Maryland unit that was in it from beginning to end. This is splendid history--intimate, immediate, sweeping, inspiring. You should, and you will, honor these men. --Richard Brookhiser, author of Founding Father: Rediscovering George Washington and Alexander Hamilton, American General George Washington honored the soldiers of the 1st Maryland Regiment of the Continental Army for their service and sacrifice by calling them the 'men of the old line.' In continuing tribute to them, Maryland still proclaims its nickname as 'The Old Line State.' In Washington's Immortals, noted military historian Patrick O'Donnell has written a gripping account of the men and units that made up the Maryland Line during our War for Independence who first earned that glorious nickname, and which the soldiers of the Maryland Army National Guard's 175th Infantry continued to do so at places with names like Gettysburg, Normandy, and Iraq. --Glenn F. Williams, author of Dunmore's War: The Last Conflict of America's Colonial Era Perhaps no war in American history has been more difficult to see through soldiers' eyes than the Revolutionary War. Patrick O'Donnell brings their experiences to life for twenty-first century readers in a way that no other historian has managed to do, accomplishing for the Revolutionary War what Stephen Ambrose's Band of Brothers did for World War II. The 1st Maryland Regiment participated in some of the most important battles of the war, gradually progressing from ordinary to elite status. Its story is the story of how the people of the United States became free. --Edward G. Lengel, Editor-in-Chief of The Papers of George Washington and author of Inventing George Washington Praise for Washington's Immortals Winner of the Daughters of the American Revolution National Excellence in American History Book Award Named one of the 100 Best American Revolution Books of All Time by the Journal of the American Revolution Finalist for the 2017 Library of Virginia People's Choice Award for Nonfiction An Amazon Best Book of the Year So Far (History) What makes Washington's Immortals different from most Revolutionary War accounts is its seamless blend of tactical acumen and human drama . . . O'Donnell admirably blends a story of ardent farmers, merchants and mariners with a combat story of sharp, bloody engagements . . . [He] makes fluid use of letters, diaries, pension affidavits and early histories to bring home the carnage of war as the foot soldier saw it . . . Washington's Immortals is an example of combat writing at its best. --Wall Street Journal A powerful narrative . . . a must-read for those with deep or casual interest in the American Revolution. --Journal of the American Revolution Well-written, and superbly researched . . . [A] compelling story of the Maryland Regiment . . . Intimate and often inspiring . . . O'Donnell is at the top of his game . . . A must-read for Revolutionary War and Maryland history buffs alike. --Baltimore Post-Examiner Gritty . . . a 'boots on the ground' account, with great storytelling verve . . . For readers who enjoy well-researched military history, this is the book for you. --Washington Independent Review of Books [Washington's Immortals is] nothing short of remarkable . . . O'Donnell has put together, with beautiful transitions, the compelling story of the Revolutionary War through the eyes of the regular soldier . . . You don't have to be a military history devotee to appreciate the book . . . It put[s] the whole Revolutionary War into sequential perspective. --Daily Press Compelling . . . Washington's Immortals is well-researched and . . . lively. --Fayetteville Observer A boots-on-the-ground account that . . . personalize[s] brave men whose names have fallen into the crevices of history . . . A strong point of Mr. O'Donnell's book is his adept skill in describing military tactical maneuvers. --Washington Times O'Donnell writes about war from the soldiers' weary, battle-scarred perspective . . . At the same time, he describes and analyzes the strategic and tactical elements of battle with an even-handed regard to the wisdom and errors on each side . . . Through his vivid prose, we smell the sulfur in the gunsmoke and hear the fierce and often final cries of the combatants . . . Reveal[s] an important and little-known part of the sprawling history of the Revolution. --American Spirit An incredible book . . . I encourage all of you to get out and purchase this . . . I love the book . . . if you like military history, this is a great book. --Rick Crandall, Breakfast Club, KEZW 1430 AM O'Donnell does a fantastic job telling the story of these men and their role in the war . . . A rich and compelling narrative . . . Definitely recommended . . . You don't need to be a scholar of the Revolution to enjoy the book. --Historia Militaris O'Donnell deploys a fusillade of fact and fresh research in a Revolutionary War history rich in irony and event . . . Readers will admire O'Donnell's exhaustive research, skilled organization of the material, and the high readability of the writing . . . With a firm grasp of tactics, strategy, and the sociopolitical landscape, O'Donnell captures the horror and absurdities of the war better than most. --Kirkus Reviews Using primary sources from both sides of the Atlantic, O'Donnell effectively traces the story of Maryland's immortals, describing their battles authentically along with the precariousness of the American cause. This book will be of interest to both general readers and scholars interested in the military aspects of the American Revolution. --Library Journal O'Donnell . . . [spent] five years researching the Marylanders' exploits, visiting every battlefield where they fought from New York to South Carolina and combing through archives in the U.S. and Britain. What he learned prompted him to dub those patriots America's original band of brothers, men who continued the fight despite overwhelming odds and constant lack of food, clothing and equipment. --Associated Press An epic story of heroism and devotion that begins with the formation of the unit in Baltimore during the winter of 1774 --Breitbart Washington's Immortals tells the extraordinary story of the most important band of brothers, forgotten men who changed the course of American history. This is O'Donnell at his very best--a deeply moving, superbly researched page turner. --Alex Kershaw, New York Times bestselling author of The Bedford Boys and The Longest Winter Patrick O'Donnell has pioneered the pursuit of dogged research and the collection of revealing oral histories to produce moving accounts of key moments in American history. Now he's set his sights on the Revolutionary War. Washington's Immortals is a fascinating story about an important and largely overlooked Maryland unit in that war. It will definitely keep you turning pages. --Douglas C. Waller, New York Times bestselling author of Disciples: The World War II Missions of the CIA Directors Who Fought for Wild Bill Donovan and Wild Bill Donovan Washington's Immortals is an amazing tale of pluck and devotion among one of the U.S. Army's first elite outfits, the Maryland Line. O'Donnell expertly brings the valiant citizen-soldiers to life with vivid prose and meticulous primary-source research. Highly recommended. --Joseph Balkoski, author of The Last Roll Call, and director of the Maryland Museum of Military History Patrick O'Donnell is blessed with a rare gift for storytelling and a keen empathy for the realities of soldiers in combat. He walks in the footsteps of his subjects like few other historians are able--or willing--to do. In this impressively researched, well written book, he brings the world of the American Revolution to life with an immediacy that almost defies belief. By focusing on one group of stalwart soldiers who sacrificed so much for the sake of their ideals, O'Donnell sheds important new light on the motivation and actions of America's most effective revolutionaries. Washington's Immortals is a must read for anyone even remotely interested in the American combat soldier, regardless of the era. --John C. McManus, Curators' Professor of US Military History, Missouri University of Science and Technology; author of The Dead and Those About to Die, D-Day: The Big Red One at Omaha Beach, and Grunts: Inside the American Infantry Combat Experience Patrick K. O'Donnell's newest work is not so much a forgotten page of our history as it is a truly untold story--a story that takes us into the lives of a unit caught up in a world-changing struggle to throw off the shackles of colonialism. The reader will learn things here about the American Revolution that were never taught in high-school history classes. O'Donnell's admirably researched and gripping narrative is a tribute to these forgotten patriot-warriors, and a must-read for students of American military history. --Will Irwin, Senior Fellow, Joint Special Operations University, author of The Jedburghs and Abundance of Valor Patrick O'Donnell has written what portends to be the definitive history of the famous Revolutionary War era 'Maryland Line.' Long considered by historians as George Washington's Continental Army shock troops, O'Donnell tells a thoroughly entertaining and highly readable story. From Brooklyn Heights to Yorktown, O'Donnell clearly shows why this particular band of brothers earned the title of Washington's Immortals. --Charles P. Neimeyer, Ph.D., Director and Chief of Marine Corps History, Marine Corps University, Quantico, Virginia Through a long war that was frequently on the verge of disaster, soldiers from Maryland repeatedly played a pivotal role in the Continental army's narrow escapes and surprise victories. Washington's Immortals is a soldiers-eye view of the Marylanders who fought in the Revolution's most desperate clashes. O'Donnell weaves together first-hand accounts, many from archival sources never before published, to reveal the struggles and triumphs of this remarkable regiment and the men who were part of it. --Don N. Hagist, author of British Soldiers, American War Patrick O'Donnell has written one of the most extraordinary books on the American Revolution that I have read. Every page brings unexpected personal stories and other historical treasures to vivid life. It's unique! --Thomas Fleming, author of Liberty!: The American Revolution Patrick O'Donnell brings us into the Revolution through the experiences of the officers and men of a crack Maryland unit that was in it from beginning to end. This is splendid history--intimate, immediate, sweeping, inspiring. You should, and you will, honor these men. --Richard Brookhiser, author of Founding Father: Rediscovering George Washington and Alexander Hamilton, American General George Washington honored the soldiers of the 1st Maryland Regiment of the Continental Army for their service and sacrifice by calling them the 'men of the old line.' In continuing tribute to them, Maryland still proclaims its nickname as 'The Old Line State.' In Washington's Immortals, noted military historian Patrick O'Donnell has written a gripping account of the men and units that made up the Maryland Line during our War for Independence who first earned that glorious nickname, and which the soldiers of the Maryland Army National Guard's 175th Infantry continued to do so at places with names like Gettysburg, Normandy, and Iraq. --Glenn F. Williams, author of Dunmore's War: The Last Conflict of America's Colonial Era Perhaps no war in American history has been more difficult to see through soldiers' eyes than the Revolutionary War. Patrick O'Donnell brings their experiences to life for twenty-first century readers in a way that no other historian has managed to do, accomplishing for the Revolutionary War what Stephen Ambrose's Band of Brothers did for World War II. The 1st Maryland Regiment participated in some of the most important battles of the war, gradually progressing from ordinary to elite status. Its story is the story of how the people of the United States became free. --Edward G. Lengel, Editor-in-Chief of The Papers of George Washington and author of Inventing George Washington

Author Information

Patrick K. O'Donnell is a bestselling, critically acclaimed military historian and an expert on elite units. He is the author of eleven books, including Washington's Immortals, We Were One, and Dog Company, and he is the recipient of several national awards. He served as a combat historian in a Marine rifle platoon during the Battle of Fallujah and speaks often on espionage, special operations, and counterinsurgency. He has provided historical consulting for DreamWorks' award-winning miniseries Band of Brothers and for documentaries produced by the BBC, the History Channel, Fox News, and Discovery.

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