The Swamp Fox: Uncovering the Heroic Story of Francis Marion and His Role in the American Revolution

james farley: na

United States on Mar 03, 2024

Lycos: A great reading, informative, objective, even pleasant account of Marion's resistance and it's place within the broader context of the American Revolution.

United States on Jan 03, 2024

Ron krautstrunk: These were true American patriots that gave up much to fight the British.

United States on Oct 14, 2023

W & T Perry: Portrait of a man who used hit and run militia warfare during the American Revolution.

I was not well-versed in the history of Francis Marion. My interest piqued after the move the Patriot, which for the most part is not accurate to the real patriot. The fact that Marion used guerilla type warfare as opposed to the "typical" battles of the day drew me in, due to my love of reading Special Ops type fiction and non-fiction.

Oller does a good job of moving this book along and reads like a novel at times. There are a couple of maps in the front to reference, but would have preferred more of these through the book.

Finding out that South Carolina had more battles during the American Revolution than any other colony was an enlightening fact, as seems Virginia and points north get more of the attention.

The conflict between the militia/volunteers that Marion helped lead, amongst themselves, those of the Continental Army and the British, may have been the more eye-opening, but not surprising, as this tends to happen in all wars, with different leadership styles, versus what your core beliefs area.

Based on Oller's account, Francis Marion, was the Purest...

United States on Jul 26, 2021

irishpropheticart: The Swamp Fox-I have read many small articles about his war time antics but this book fully goes in depth to a history that needs to be told and read.One of the Most Important American Military figure from the American Revolution.

United Kingdom on Oct 24, 2019

Rick Klemenc: ok

Canada on Apr 14, 2019

Dana McFaull: Took a little while to get it but was not disappointed when I got it

Canada on Dec 30, 2018

JohnB2001: Details Frances Marion's early life, his military career (especially his time as a partisan leader in South Carolina) and his personal and political life after the Revolutionary War. Several of Marion's adversaries are covered in great detail.
I was not aware of how many battles during the Revolution were fought in South Carolina until I read this book. It brings to life just how much the fighting in South Carolina was more of a civil war between Americans fighting each other. It was a bare knuckle brawl between Loyalists and Patriots to say the least. What we would consider war crimes today were done by both sides! If that offends your preconceived ideas of the Americans in the Revolution, don't read this book. General Marion managed to stay above that, severely disciplining his subordinates when needed.
This is not Walt Disney's "Swamp Fox" nor is it Mel Gibson's "The Patriot". Marion understood "partisan warfare". It is almost like he wrote the blueprint for Special Operations behind enemy lines. Wearing down a superior enemy by a 1000 cuts. He chose his battles carefully and did not recklessly throw away the lives of the men under his command.
The author also provides...

United States on Feb 18, 2018