The Unknowns

Praise for The Unknowns: Acclaimed military historian O'Donnell brings to life America's involvement in the Great War through the stories of eight body bearers for an unidentified fallen soldier . . . O'Donnell does his subject justice, beginning with the book's inspiration, his giving Marines a tour of the battlefields in France . . . A thrilling title for readers interested in WWI, and an excellent primer for understanding the full significance of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.Booklist The Unknowns is a great book on the topic that surrounds the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier from the First World War. It's also a good single volume work on the American Expeditionary Force's involvement and experiences in the First World War . . . Engaging, informative, detailed, exciting, respectful, and at a patriotic level, unifying.David Retherford, Strategy Bridge Many of the topics on which [O'Donnell] writes involve the story behind the story . . . With the centennial of America's participation in World War I ongoing, this is a highly relevant publication . . . Conveys the reverence and honor which is deserved from the citizens of this nation to all of those who go in harm's way to protect us and guarantee our rights and freedoms.New York Journal of Books The Unknowns is a dramatic and compassionately written book by one of our finest military historians who has few equals as a great storyteller. Patrick K. O'Donnell's superb tale of World War I and the exceptional valor of the eight men later chosen to escort the Unknown Soldier from France to America's most hallowed place of honor in Arlington National Cemetery is not only a tribute to those who fought and sacrificed so much but also a vivid and timely reminder of the terrible cost of war.Carlo D'Este, author of Patton, A Genius for War and Eisenhower, A Soldier's Life This unknown story of extraordinary sacrifice and heroism is a powerful and timely tribute to the Americans who fought a century ago in the First World War. Superb history brilliantly told.Alex Kershaw, author of The Longest Winter The Unknowns is not only the story of the Unknown Soldier but that of the unknown comrades who carried him there. Their stories of courage in deadly combat are finally made known to the rest of us in searing detail.Glenn F. Williams, PhD, U.S. Army Center of Military History 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. A 'must read,' an incredible story related by a master storyteller!James Lacey, author of Pershing and the forthcoming The Washington War, director of USMC 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 Highly readable and extremely interesting, 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 The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, it's as hallowed as ground can get. But what's the story of the hero inside? A breakthrough book with a crackling narrative, The Unknowns reveals how the first unknown soldier came home from World War I, a journey born in the shell holes and on the high seas of one of humanity's ghastliest wars. Prepare to discover an iconic American saga long hidden in plain sight.Adam Makos, New York Times bestselling author of A Higher Call A captivating, inspiring narrative by a combat veteran and skilled writer of how the Unknown Soldier arrived at his resting place as the symbol of national the sacrifice and devotion to duty. Bravo!Bing West, author of One Million Steps: A Marine Platoon at War 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 th…