Washington's Immortals

The Untold Story of an Elite Regiment Who Changed the Course of the Revolution

By: Patrick K. O’Donnell

Narrated by: William Hughes

Length: 13 hrs and 29 mins

Publisher's summary

In August 1776, a little over a month after the Continental Congress had formally declared independence from Britain, the revolution was on the verge of a sudden and disastrous end. General George Washington found his troops outmanned and outmaneuvered at the Battle of Brooklyn, and it looked like there was no escape. But thanks to a series of desperate rear-guard attacks by a single heroic regiment, famously known as the Immortal 400, Washington was able to evacuate his men, and the nascent Continental Army lived to fight another day.

Today, only a modest rusted and scarred metal sign near a dilapidated auto garage marks the mass grave where the bodies of the "Maryland Heroes" lie - 256 men "who fell in the Battle of Brooklyn". In Washington's Immortals, best-selling military historian Patrick K. O'Donnell brings to life the forgotten story of this remarkable band of brothers. Known as "gentlemen of honor, family, and fortune", they fought not just in Brooklyn but also in key battles, including Trenton, Princeton, Camden, Cowpens, Guilford Courthouse, and Yorktown, where their heroism changed the course of the war.

Drawing on extensive original sources, from letters to diaries to pension applications, O'Donnell pieces together the stories of these brave men - their friendships, loves, defeats, and triumphs. He explores their arms and tactics, their struggles with hostile loyalists and shortages of clothing and food, their development into an elite unit, and their dogged opponents, including British general Lord Cornwallis. And through the prism of this one group, O'Donnell tells the larger story of the Revolutionary War.

Washington's Immortals is gripping and inspiring boots-on-the-ground history, sure to appeal to a wide audience.

©2016 Patrick K. O’Donnell (P)2016 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

First Audio Book

I started traveling for work and tried this book. I am a history buff and I knew nothing of the Maryland Immortals. If you love the Revolution check this One out!

A revolution in seeing the Revolution.

American history from the small unit perspective without losing the grand view in the process! A marvelously written account of the previously unsung people who made the difference, again and again.

Uncommon to have a work of historical non-fiction keep my fascination so well. Many an evening after listening during my commute home, did I continue listening while parked in my driveway!

Should be required reading for every school

What I was taught about the revolutionary war in school pales when compared to this historic account of the true story of America’s independence.
Real detailed accounts of the battles through the eyes of the men who were there is invaluable to our history. The Immortals deserve so much more than having nothing honoring their story of winning the war. Without them we would not be a free country.

Patrick O’Donnell give them that honor.

Good story of the Revolution

Fine unit history of the Maryland Militia in the Continental Army, which fought in several major engagements through the duration of the Revolution, often serving in important specialized or elite roles. Extensive research affords numerous personal insights on both sides. Frequent appearances by Washington, Lee, Lafayette, and other famous names helps add broader perspective.

Descriptions of the fighting, shortage of supplies, and painful privations clearly demonstrate the greatness of this generation of heroic Patriots who sacrificed much and risked all to create a new nation of free men. The followup chapter and afterword were quite poignant. Omnia reliquit servare rempublicam.

Good reading throughout. Thanks to Audible for making this volume available free of charge.

Maryland had some fighters

I am glad that I listened to this book. I had no idea how big of an impact the Maryland Regulars and the Delaware Blues had as the main veterans of the patriot forces in the Revolutionary War. Amazing anyone survived that conflict.

Groundbreaking masterpiece on American Revolution

If you could sum up Washington’s Immortals in three words, what would they be?

Immortals - American Spartans

What was one of the most memorable moments of Washington’s Immortals?

The Immortals' "300" Moment - The Battle of Brooklyn - The Dauntless Marylanders fight and sacrifice, against all odds, to change the course of the Revolution - as they continue to do throughout eight years of war.

What does William Hughes bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

WASHINGTON'S IMMORTALS is a true masterpiece. Patrick O'Donnell has an inimitable style, breathing life into these courageous men who lived centuries ago. The author writes cinematically, capturing the reader at the outset, and never letting go; the reader is transported into the world of these men, who believed in the power of an idea - the triumph of Liberty against Tyranny. This is the first Band of Brothers treatment of the American Revolution, a boots-on-the-ground, soldier's eye view of the Revolution that places the reader in the heart of the action and the intense emotions, bridging the past with the present. O'Donnell infuses his passion into every page of the book. William Hughes's impeccable reading of this masterpiece is an outstanding complement to this phenomenal book.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

Lawrence Everhart gazing at General Washington through his spyglass, seeing tears in Washington's eyes as he watched the slaughter of his army at Fort Washington. Patrick K. O'Donnell humanizes these larger than life legends.

Any additional comments?

WASHINGTON'S IMMORTALS is a must-read book, and the audible version is a wonderful way to experience this amazing book while driving. By all means, buy and read this magnificent book, as well. The audible version complements this book beautifully.

Not really "Band of Brothers" for the AWI

What made the experience of listening to Washington's Immortals the most enjoyable?
The book is a great general overview of the military aspects American War for Independence. I know it's being called a "Band of Brothers" for the Revolution, but it's really not. There's a fair scattering of information about Maryland soldiers, but at the end of the day you don't really get a sense of them all being together as a cohesive unit. It's more like, "Hey, this was the Revolution and here were the battles. There were Maryland troops here. And here. And here." Many of the battles described didn't have any Maryland troops in them. Still a good book.

What do you think the narrator could have done better?
Left out the Maryland part. It wasn't that compelling and didn't really tie together as advertised. As a narrative of the war, it was pretty good. But there are surely better books out there about Maryland soldiers in the AWI.

#UnlikelyHero #Inspiring #AmericanRevolution #tagsgiving #sweepstakes

A story of Patriots giving more than all.

My thanks to Author O'Donnell for resurrecting this forgotten and buried piece of history. Never forget the price of liberty!

Not a full over view of the war

This was simultaneously broad and deep. It focused mostly on one group of soldiers throughout the war which was pretty cool but I also felt that I didn’t go deep enough. It also wasn’t brought enough to be a good general overview of the war. That being said if you want more revolutionary war content this will definitely bring stories to your attention that you probably have not heard before it is worth the time if you’re a history buff. But if you’re just getting into revolutionary war history this is not the book to start with.

History at the individual level

Any additional comments?

The story of the individual soldier in the Revolutionary War would be too sparse to hold anyone's attention for a whole book. But those heroes that have books written about them aren't ordinary people we would come to know. The author solves the problem by weaving together the documented stories of individuals who served during the war and tying them together to make a compelling story that hold the readers attention. You feel that you know these people just as you know the generation that came back from WWII. One built a nation the other held it together.