The Annotated and Illustrated Journals of Major Robert Rogers

by Major Robert Rogers

This book, reprinted form the rare 1769 Dublin edition, allows Major Rogers to tell portions of his life in his own words. To supplement his account, numerous annotations have added by Timothy Todish to give a broader picture of the events described. Gary Zaboly's original illustrations, along with page-length captions, add an invaluable dimension to this edition. A special contribution is his chapter on the uniforms worn by Robert's Rangers.

Genres: History

341 pages, Paperback

First published March 15, 2002

Reviews

[David Welch · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fascinating book that brings Robert Rogers and the Adirondack theater of the French & Indian War to life. Rogers' words, despite being two and a half centuries old, are straightforward and easy to understand even to a modern reader. He was a military man and his writing style reflects that, to the point that he glosses over or underplays very significant events. Todish does an excellent job counteracting that with his annotation. Interspersed through the journal itself, Todish's notes fill readers in on how Roger's actions fit into the greater scheme of the war. He also included lots of letters, reports, and journal entries from other participants in the events of the war, so you get multiple primary-source viewpoints. Zaboly's illustrations also deserve mention, because they are fantastic. He does a magnificent job recreating the people and places of the war as they looked at the time, and deserves a great amount of credit for his work.

There are a few drawbacks, but they're minor. It is a big book, and paperback, so that makes it a little difficult to carry around. And the richness of detail and study that went into this might intimidate somebody who isn't a history-nut. But these are all minor. For anybody who likes reading about the past this is a five-star book, no question.

[Charles A. Mayhood · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderfully annotated, thorough discussion and presentation of the journals. My favorite version currently in print.