The Unvanquished: The Untold Story of Lincoln’s Special Forces, the Manhunt for Mosby’s Rangers, and the Shadow War That Forged America’s Special Operations

Longtime reader of Civil War info. As a Boy Scout, decades ago.......my troop was a "hiking troop" and over five years , in our mix were Civil War trails.The author does a good job of balancing both sides of some information not known by me prior. The story of the scouts on both sides.......new ground.The details, quotes, locations and inner thoughts......absolutely new ground. The depth.....stunning!This book focuses on a range of about 21-22 mos. of time after Gettysburg to Appomattox and some information after.So many stories are told including details of the leadup to Lincolns assassination and after.Good , longer read with a lot of characters.Mike

I have read many of Mr. O'Donnell books, and to me he has always been a solid read (well written, good books), but I will say this has been his best book so far. Don't take my word for it, I am no expert, but I know that "crap sandwiches aren't for me" is my only qualification. This book is a high adventure page turner, which by happenstance was a fantastic lead up to the next book I'm reading, Manhunt by James Swanson, Unvanquished must be read first for a better insight into Manhunt, you will thank me for it.

The Unvanquished was a very exciting book to read - though it reads like a textbook, it revealed many accomplishments that to most are unknown.The author did a great job of captivating the reader and presented a wealth of information

I guess that I am being a bit tough on the author given that I am a historian and would have liked something with more substance and less telling of tales. A bit more context on the overall operational information and how the hard hitting Confederate irregulars and the mounted Federal counterinsurgency units that opposed them fit into the overall theater architecture and local operational plans. The overall story line skips from event to event and unit to unit with less connectivity than desired. Its a great book for the uninitiated but for Civil War affecianados, this volume falls far short of the mark. I kept it rather than return it to Amazon, but its going to gather some dust before I open it up again.

Great book!The majority of history buffs are well aware of Mosby's ("Gray Ghost') Partisan Rangers - but how many ever heard their Federal counterparts - the Jesse Scouts? Or of the machinations of the Confederate Secret Service in Montreal, Canada?Highly recommended to all fans of Civil War history in particular and military history in general.

It was throughly informative. There were so many things we never knew about the happens and the politicians of that time. They also treated our heroes the same .

When "military special forces" is mentioned today, I doubt anyone makes the connection to The Jessie Scouts or Mosby's Rangers, the original special forces of the American military. Excellent read, which also highlights the political discourse of the day, and leaves that interpretation to the reader.

O’Donnell brings incredible detail and personal insight from those who were there. A must read.