An interesting take on the Civil War. Instead of focusing on the major battles, the author details skirmishes between Mosby’s Rangers of the Confederacy and the Jessie Scouts of the Union Army. Each chapter is devoted to a small battle so it is easily read in small segments.
The disadvantage of this style is that it is hard to follow the big picture of the war. The chapters seem unrelated and are sometimes hard to follow.
A good book to supplement the big picture accounts, However, like the historical participants, the reader is unaware of the import of the small events.

How up are you on American Civil War History? If you have read any histories, you have likely encountered Mosby, the Gray Ghost of Northern Virginia. But what do you know of the Jesse Scouts? The Blazer Scouts? The various plots ran by the Confederate Secret Service out of Canada to burn down New York City, raise up an insurrection in the Midwest, and blow up the White House? You didn't know about these? Well then pick up The Unvanquished and dive into the heart of these operations!

Patrick O'Donnell opens The Unvanquished with a preface and prologue linking the Office of Strategic Services (OSS) and their activities to the "shadow war" conducted by Union and Confederate forces during the American Civil War. He then divides the book into three broad sections - Part I: The Jesse Scouts, Part II: The Confederate Secret Service, and Part III: Sheridan's Scouts and "Come Retribution." While the headings provide some structure, the book basically starts in what is now West Virginia when Union General John Frémont brought the Jesse Scouts (named after his wife) from Missouri in 1862 and turned them loose to scout ahead of his forces, conduct raids behind enemy lines, and deal with local guerrillas. Under various names the Jesse Scouts played a role until the end of the war. In northern Virginia, John Singleton Mosby formed his Independent Ranger Company to operate behind Union lines, raid supply trains, and disrupt anything and everything that he could. In response to the Kilpatrick-Dahlgren raid that aimed to kill President Jefferson Davis and burn Richmond, the Confederate Secret Service tried to burn New York, raid Northern banks from Canada, promote dissent and rebellion in the Midwest, and sow discord. They also worked on several schemes to blow up the White House, kidnap President Lincoln and other officials, and finally to decapitate the Federal government.

While Patrick O'Donnell does a wonderful job of detailing the exploits of the various Jesse Scouts, Mosby's Rangers, and various members of the Confederate Secret Service, he doe not provide any sources that show a link between the ACW "shadow warriors" and the OSS or current special Forces. Despite that caveat, if you want juicy stories of daring Civil War exploits, The Unvanquished is the book for you!

Thanks Netgalley and the Atlantic Monthly Press for a chance to read this title.

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this eARC.

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 by Patrick K. O’Donnell is a riveting account that delves into the shadowy corners of the Civil War, a conflict often remembered for its grand battles and prominent figures. However, O’Donnell shifts the focus to the unsung heroes and the clandestine operations that played a pivotal role in shaping the outcome of the war.

The narrative centers on the Jessie Scouts and Mosby’s Rangers, two groups that operated beyond the conventional battlefield, engaging in espionage, sabotage, and guerrilla warfare. These units, donning enemy uniforms and risking death upon capture, executed raids and spy missions that were as crucial as any fought on the well-known battlefields of Gettysburg or Antietam.

O’Donnell, with his meticulous research and narrative flair, brings to life the high-stakes maneuvers and the personal stories of these early special forces. The book is not just a recounting of events; it’s a tribute to the ingenuity and daring of these men who, through their “irregular tactics,” arguably became the U.S. Army’s first modern special operators.

The author also sheds light on the Confederate Secret Service’s operations in Montreal, which sought to influence the 1864 election and supported the Copperheads—northern sympathizers prepared to undertake armed insurrections. O’Donnell suggests that even John Wilkes Booth’s assassination of Lincoln was part of a larger, well-planned operation by these secret forces.

While The Unvanquished is rich with military minutiae that will satisfy any Civil War buff, it is also accessible to the casual reader, thanks to O’Donnell’s engaging prose.

In essence, The Unvanquished is a testament to the enduring impact of these covert operations on the development of America’s special operations forces. It’s a must-read for anyone interested in military history, the Civil War, or the evolution of warfare tactics. O’Donnell’s work is a significant contribution to the literature on American history, offering a fresh perspective on the Civil War and the origins of modern special forces.

I have read many Civil War books in my lifetime [it's the war that just won't let me go, history-wise], and I still am learning things about that war that I never knew before; such is the case here, and boy-howdy was I blown away by all I was reading!

This is an exhaustive [and often exhausting - SO. MANY. NAMES.], deep-dive book about Jessie's Scouts [named for the formidable Jessie Fremont] and their infiltration [as well as the disruption of train lines, re-routed supply chains, and took endless risks, including the wearing of the southern uniform, which would result in immediate death of caught] of the confederate army and their opposition, the southern-based Mosby's Rangers, who when not scouting and fighting, were fleeing the northern army [they too took risks everyday]. Learning about these two groups of men and all they did was amazing and I spent much of the book just having my mind blown. I knew about scouts of course, but had no real knowledge of their names or who they were led by or all that they truly accomplished during the war. It truly was overwhelming at times.

Scouts on both sides were involved in seriously dangerous situations, and it really amazed me that more didn't die doing their jobs; it was really sad to learn about the one that never made it home - it was a reminder once again that war is awful.

One of the coolest things I learned was how, during World War 2, the guerilla shadow warfare of the Civil War and the scouts that carried it out, helped the Allies develop the special forces and the OSS, both were instrumental in helping the Allies win the war - it was a truly fascinating part of the book.

Well-researched and written, this is a great book for anyone who is a history buff; there is something for everyone here - I highly recommend it!!

Thank you to NetGalley, Patrick K. O'Donnell, and Grove Atlantic/Atlantic Monthly Press for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

An intriguing read on the irregular forces on both sides in the Civil war. The stories and heroism are inspirational. These men (and some women) were true patriots to their causes. A thoroughly enjoyable read.

Thank you to #NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

DNF at 30%. If you go into this book already interested in special forces, you'll probably like it. However, if like me, you need a compelling narrative in order to get into the story, it'll be more challenging. I would've preferred if the author focused on a few people or had a clearer structure. Also, way too many direct quotes.

From the beginning of the Civil War, the Confederacy knew that they were going to be outnumbered by the North. Though many in the Confederate Army believed in fighting an honorable war, some thought it would be better to continue the use of guerilla tactics like those used during the Revolutionary War. Using hit and run attacks would allow the South to use unorthodox warfare as a force multiplier.

Though General Robert E Lee didn’t like this type of warfare, as the war continued using up the quantity and quality of those who volunteered for the military, something had to be done to offset the North’s ability to keep full armies in the field even after major losses of Troops.

The Confederacy would need to create their own “Secret Service” to spy on the North and to cause as much discord and chaos as they could. In addition to spying on the North and creating double agents and getting assistance from supporters who stayed at their jobs in the US government, they would need specialized military units that could disrupt communications, railways and supply lines.

What we now think of as units who can operated behind enemy lines, were first created in each of the contending Armies. That’s the story that told in this book and explains how much of today’s special units use tactics that were first used by these special units.

My thanks to both NetGalley and the publisher Grove Atlantic, Atlantic Monthly Press for an advance copy of this history books that looks at the role of irregular warfare in the American Civil War, and how this legacy still influences modern military planning.

War is hell, but civil wars seem to bring out something in combatants that makes hell seem pleasant in comparison. Brother fighting brother, neighbor fighting neighbor, north against south, the violence seems more visceral, more personal. Atrocities are not random, civilians are made to suffer, and rules are tossed out the window, along with the people living in the room, then the room is blown up to be sure. Maybe it is the fact that civil war is based on one side being sure of something, the other side being equally sure that is wrong. Humans hate to be proven wrong, as our modern politics show. Many will keep digging other than suffer they truth that there convictions are not just misplaced, but even evil. The popular meme showing a man dressed as a Nazi asking "Are we the bad guys?' comes to mind. The American Civil War changed much in the way war was fought, and even in the thinking of who could be considered combatants. 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 by writer and historian, Patrick K. O'Donnell is a look at how modern war was starting to come of age, and the lessons that still frame much of how war is still fought today.

Two signs pointing out to different events in Virginia were the well spring for this book. One sign detailing where a Union scout Jack Sterry gave his last words, and another pointing out where a mountain howitzer used by Mosby's Rangers to destroy a union train was placed. As a writer of history, especially detailing the history of special forces operations in warfare, these signs were hints of a much bigger story. Many of the ideas that started to form in the Civil War, working deep in enemy territory, causing disruptions and confusion among military leaders and civilians alike, had an effect on the Office of Strategic Operations during World War II. Especially the idea that units could work outside of the military hierarchy, which at the time was a pretty entrenched system. O'Donnell looks at both sides from the North's Jessie Scouts who worked deep in enemy territory, learning as they went about war in the woods. And the previously mentioned Mosby's Rangers, the Grey Ghosts who hindered Union war efforts until the end of the battles. There is also a discussion on the Confederate Secret Service, who were based in Canada and seemed to be an early OSS group, with a lot of grandiose plans, but few results.

An interesting look at the Civil War from an almost uncivil view. O'Donnell has a lot of experience writing about this subject, and seeing the early days of this kind of thinking is interesting to watch come to be. O'Donnell covers both sides, and there is a lot of history here, but the chapters are short and written well, so one doesn't become overwhelmed. There is a mix of boy's own adventuring, along with a lot of wow that was beyond cruel actions on both sides. There is also a lot of "what if?" moments too. This plan was crazy and couldn't have worked, but if it had, or hmm that could have worked if they just left a day early, or later. A different way of looking at the battle in the shadows, that made up much of the Civil War.

Recommended for fans of the writer, and Civil War fans. And also for military history fans, including role players and game designers. This would be an excellent resource for quite a few different adventures, especially for fans of alternative history.

I usually find that when a good writer puts out an underwhelming book, it's because of a scope problem. Unfortunately, Patrick O'Donnell's The Unvanquished falls into this trap. The book looks at the special operators of the Civil War like John Singleton Mosby's Confederate Rangers or Philip Sheridan's Scouts. In fact, I think if O'Donnell focused entirely on just these two men then this would have a been a fantastic read.

Instead, O'Donnell tries to tackle what seems like every single unit on each side of the Civil War and their actions. This leads to two extremely distracting problems. The first is the abundance of names. I am a history nerd and am used to being dropped into a story with a lot of characters. This is too much. It also means there is a lot of repetition. I didn't count, but I'd venture to say O'Donnell reiterates that getting caught in enemy uniforms was an automatic death sentence at least a dozen times.

That said, there is still a lot to like and learn about in this narrative. O'Donnell is an excellent writer (I highly recommend his book, The Unknowns) and his skill shows through when he focuses on a specific story or action. His in-depth research is on display and his passion for the topic can't be faulted. I just wish he was a bit more focused when it comes to this subject.

(This book was provided as an advance copy by Netgalley and Grove Atlantic.)

This is a well-researched and written account of "special forces" in the Civil War's Eastern Theater.

Specialized units in the Civil War are difficult to uncover. Either they existed for a battle or were shrouded in so much myth that historians do not bother to unpack their stories. Luckily Patrick K. O’Donnell has done a great job chronicling Jessie’s Scouts and the impact a unit like this had on the war.

Full disclosure, I live in the UK and due to visits to NH, have a developing interest in North American History. Of course, I know the basics, but wanted to go beyond the most famous moments in history and dive deeper.

Patrick O'Dennell is a phenomenal writer, bringing history alove with a colourful narrative and raw authenticity. He is clearly a master of his subject (and I will certainly be putting his other book, 'The Indispensables' on my History TBR)

Most of us know about the Gettysburg address, the reasons for the war between North and South (lets not sugar the pill here, it was about abolishing slavery and those who wanted to keep it, power and control) This book goes beyond the battles we know about, to those who went undercover, the Jessie Scouts who were commissioned by Lincoln to go after Mosby's Confederate Rangers. The tactics and subterfuge detailed at a time where people were just learning about this new country they were inhabiting are truly fascinating

One fact I certainly did not know was the plot to kidnap Lincoln by Mosby's Rangers to bring an end to the war. How different the United States would be if they had succeeded

This book is utterly fascinating, intriguing and so very well written. A must for lovers of North American history and Military History. Even readers of general fiction, because the story is outstanding and written like your favourite thriller

Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher Grove Atlantic and author Patrick K O'Donnell for this outstanding account of a little known part of history that changed the course of the conflict. My review is left voluntarily and all opinions are my own

A revealing dive into the special forces that operated during the U.S Civil War, this action-packed book gives readers unique insight into the risks the rangers on both sides took and the significant impact they had on the outcome of the war. Civil War buffs will enjoy learning about this “shadow war” that happened in conjunction with the historic battles.

Previously not knowing about the heroics and exploits of Blazer, Young, and Mosby, I would certainly not want to miss their stories that O’Donnell colorfully presents in this book. It was a fun read and I learned a lot about the underground players of the Civil War.

The Unvanquished provided a new insight into the emergence of special forces troops during the Civil War. These groups became the foundation for future special forces like the Green Berets. I had no prior knowledge of this aspect of history and really enjoyed delving into it. O'Donnell uses detailed historic accounts to develop the characters of many courageous individuals. The reason I don't rate this book higher is that the stories felt episodic, as if the book should have either been shorter or had a stronger central line that pulled it together a bit more cohesively. For anyone interested in military history generally or the Civil War, I think you'll enjoy this immensely.

Fascinating account of the Special Operations forces on both sides during the American Civil War. Great new title for Civil War history fans. Will be ordering for my library.