When i watch northwest passage now, i enjoy the scenes of rugged selfreliance as the rangers make their way stealthily through enemy territory, cross rapids by forming a human chain and. Northwest passage book irogers rangers kenneth robertss novel northwest passage chronicles the exploits of major robert rogers 17311795, who during the french and indian war raised and commanded an independent unit of lightinfantry soldiers attached to the british army known as rogers rangers. Buy a cheap copy of northwest passage book by kenneth roberts. Based on the kenneth roberts novel of the same name, this film tells the story of two friends who join rogers rangers, as the legendary elite force engages the enemy during the french and indian war. The dramatic focus is the events surrounding major robert rogers rangers raid on the village of st. A unique corps of 600 frontiersmen who successfully adapted indian techniques to their fighting, rogers s rangers. Book irogers rangers, american adventure film, released in 1940, that deals with events of the french and indian war, a theme rarely explored in film. Robert rogers 7 november 1731 18 may 1795 was an american colonial frontiersman. James rogers was the father of the famous major robert rogers, leader of rogers rangers in the period of the french and indian war in colonial america. Helping rogers, an experienced explorer and indian fighter, were hunk marriner, another experienced indian fighter, and langdon towne, a harvard graduate who was the map maker. Both towne and hunk decide to join rogers rangers themselves. I was very surprised to learn that the author had been one of the best journalists in. An a cappella song, it features rogers alone singing the verses, with several guest vocalists harmonizing with him in the chorus.
Northwest passage book i rogers rangers original title. Keith larsen 19242006 played the title role, with buddy ebsen, later of cbss the beverly hillbillies and barnaby jones, as sergeant hunk marriner. Kenneth roberts historical novel northwest passage 1937 portrays the events of rogers rangers raid on the abenaki town of st. Book 1 rogers rangers king vidor, 1940 the posters warned northwest passage was not suitable for children which it might be, with its stories of atrocities, men who fight with muskets and axes, and the good of the many philosophy. Robert rogers writes 28 rangers rules new england historical. Mar 18, 2020 robert rogers, american frontier soldier who raised and commanded a militia force, known as rogerss rangers, which won wide repute during the french and indian war 175463. After going north on lake champlain to a point where the. Dilley the military exploits of major robert rogers during the french and indian war are well known. The british thought robert rogers 28 rangers rules were unconventional. It was quite welldeveloped, even though there was a great deal of latitude with the truth.
Rogers did not invent this type of unit a ranger company under john gorham. Army was interested in the tactics of the british commando units. Francis and their marches before and after the battle. Often employing techniques eschewed by the british. Though the number of revolutionary war films are small in number, reel culture lists various attempts by filmmakers to chronicle this crucial time in our nations history, such as 1776, revolution, and the patriot among others. This terrific biography of robert rogers ably demonstrates his enormous contributions to the british american cause in the french and indian war. Structurally, northwest passage is divided into halves. He was made famous in the 1940 film northwest passage. Filmed just before america entered world war ii, northwest passage is a thinly disguised recruitment poster. Laurence, the mississippi, christino, and the great lakes. Stan rogers was noted for his rich, baritone voice and his finelycrafted, traditionalsounding songs which were frequently inspired by canadian history and the daily lives of working people, especially those from the fishing villages of the maritime provinces and, later, the farms. Robert rogers, the brilliant if flawed first american special operator. Army rangers wait to be announced to the crowd during the opening ceremony of the best ranger competition 2017 in camp rogers, ga.
Books similar to northwest passage goodreads share book. Michilimackinac during the american revolution mackinac island, mich. Told through the eyes of primary character langdon towne, much of this novel centers around the exploits and character of robert rogers, the leader of rogers rangers, who were a colonial force fighting with the british during the french and indian war. Jun 30, 2017 a little something i thought id do for canadas 150th. Apr 17, 2009 to seek a northwest passage at the call of many men to find there but the road back home again. Discover more music, concerts, videos, and pictures with the largest catalogue online at. It was the subject of the spencer tracy film, northwest passage see more. Rogers served in the british army during both the french and indian war and the american revolution. Northwest passage kenneth roberts the unofficial site. Told through the eyes of primary character langdon towne, much of the novel follows the exploits and character of robert rogers, the leader of rogers rangers, who were a colonial force fighting with the british during the french and indian war structurally, northwest passage is divided into halves. Rogers rangers in canada american indian wars, american war. A unique corps of 600 frontiersmen who successfully adapted indian techniques to their fighting, rogerss rangers.
Northwest passage recounts the adventures of rogers rangers, an 18thcentury expeditionary force charged with wiping out an indian tribe on the american frontier during the seven years war. Northwest passage volume 1 dvd, 2005 for sale online. Northwest passage novel project gutenberg selfpublishing. One of the first american heroes in our nations history was a man who had two distinct lives. Robert rogers, american frontier soldier who raised and commanded a militia force, known as rogers s rangers, which won wide repute during the french and indian war 175463. The rules were originally written at rogers island in the hudson river near fort edward. Apr, 2020 but he also fought against american patriots in the revolution. The first half of the novel was adapted as the film northwest passage 1940. These greenclad frontiersmen served as the eyes and ears of the british army during the french and indian war, and played an integral role in englands conquest of new france.
Goodreads members who liked northwest passage also liked. Apr 04, 2011 kenneth roberts presents tragic hero robert rogers colonial indian fighter is central figure in great drama out of americas historic past the northwest passage, in the imagination of all free people, is a short cut to fame, fortune and romancea hidden route to golconda and the mystic east. It was during that war that rogers raised, trained, and led the unit that bears his name, rogers rangers. The 1767 maps of robert rogers and jonathan carver. And, more importantly to this website, the author of the blog post lists northwest passage among revolutionary war films. The idea for this paper came to me while i was watching the northwest passage, book 1 rogers rangers, a metrogoldwynmayer picture. I knew the film was only book 1 of this saga, and was eager to see the story to the end. Northwest passage 1940 northwest passage 1940 user. Northwest passage is one of the bestknown songs by canadian musician stan rogers. Army ranger history predates the revolutionary war.
They set out for fort wentworth, but when they arrive they find no soldiers and none of the supplies they expected. This explains why the characters never actually make it to the northwest passage. Rogers rangers shows that mgm and king vidor intended to complete the story in a second film, which was never made due to the lengthy production obstacles that plagued this film. Rogers rangers are the progenitors and spiritual forefathers of. Its my pleasure to present the following guest post on the real robert rogers and queens american rangers of 1776 written by todd braisted, a foremost scholar of american loyalists during the revolutionary war.
Robert also had three brothers who served in the rangers, james rogers, richard rogers and john rogers. Major robert rogers organized rogers rangers to search for the alleged waterway across the united states during the french and indian war 17541759. Find books like northwest passage from the worlds largest community of readers. The opening scene of the 1940 film northwest passage is portsmouths peak cinematic moment. Wolfes army, with his majestys independent company of american rangers late rogers rangers during the seven years war. Rangers, as the legendary elite force engages the enemy during the french and indian war. The film is also a hard lesson to filmmakers about the risks of designing a multipart movie. Northwest passage book i rogers rangers poster langdon towne and hunk marriner join major rogers rangers as they wipe out an indian village. He petitioned for authority to mount a search for an inland northwest passage, an idea. Listen free to stan rogers northwest passage northwest passage, the field behind the plow and more. Northwest passage, set in the french and indian war, seems not to have aged as well, but is available and worthwhile in used condition. At crown point he joins rogers rangers, leaving the girl he loves and his old life behind. Northwest passage book by kenneth roberts thriftbooks.
Rogers rangers and the french and indian war indicates that this is the story of a military leader, but young readers will probably be surprised to learn that rogers institutionalized many frontierstyle practices of warfare that became the model for the activities of later ranger groups. The ranger units formed by rogers continued their duties on the frontier from the end of the french and indian war to the outbreak of the war for independence, when most of the forces joined the patriot side and provided badly needed leadership. Rogers sided with the british during the revolutionary war and his rangers eventually became a canadian outfit and he never was able to achieve his mission of finding the northwest passage, although as tracy says in the film, he may have had little faith in. Northwest passage and millions of other books are available for amazon kindle. An original vintage theaterused movie lobby card measures 11 x 14 from northwest passage book 1 rogers rangers, the 1940 king vidor revolutionary war era adventure thriller based on the classic novel by kenneth roberts. American revolution, although they know rogers has sided with the british. John stark of manchester, rogers trusted lieutenant, became a key general in the revolution. The northwest passage, by kenneth roberts bobs books. When mgm began to produce the screen production of northwest passage, roberts sarcastically notes that they were lacking in technical knowledge concerning the uniforms and behavior of rogers rangers.
Ebenezer webster of east kingston, future father of statesman daniel webster, is among the rangers portrayed in the book. The novel follows the tumultuous career of major robert rogers, who set a high standard in adapting to the indian way of fighting in the wilds of what would become upstate new york and eastern canada. He was a brilliant officer and outdoorsman and his men served the british and american colonies well. They were intended to serve as a manual on guerrilla warfare for rogers ranger company, a 600 strong contingent whose members were personally selected by rogers. The picture is based on a novel by kenneth roberts titled northwest passage 1937.
The 28 rules of ranging are a series of rules and guidelines created by major robert rogers in 1757, during the french and indian war 175463. Northwest passage book i rogers rangers kenneth robertss novel northwest passage chronicles the exploits of major robert rogers 17311795, who during the french and indian war raised and commanded an independent unit of lightinfantry soldiers attached to the british army known as rogers rangers. Told through the eyes of primary character langdon towne, much of the novel follows the exploits and character of robert rogers, the leader of rogers rangers, who were a colonial force fighting with the british during the french and indian war. The kenneth roberts reader of the american revolution volumes i iv. The show is actually titled northwest passage, book 1 rogers rangers, with the idea that a book two would continue the story.
Posted on april 16, 2014 updated on april 16, 2014. Northwest passage is an historical novel by kenneth roberts, published in 1937. More than 250 years ago, robert rogers wrote 28 rangers rules for guerilla warfare that are still being used by the u. Robert rogers both formed ranger units to fight during the king phillips war and the french and indian war. Langdon towne and hunk marriner join major rogers rangers as they wipe out an indian village. Rogers rangers, the green berets of colonial america, are recognized as one of the finest fighting forces the world has ever known. And a famous film about rogers rangers opens in seacoast, new hampshire. Chris gudgeon is a celebrated author from victoria, british columbia. Based on the kenneth roberts novel of the same name, northwest passage covers part i.
Northwest passage book irogers rangers 1940 overview. Apr 16, 2014 will the real robert rogers please stand up. Kenneth robertss novel, northwest passage, and the 1940 movie of the same. Northwest passage book 1 rogers rangers charlie 20110205 this is a great movie based on an historical novel of an exciting true life event of the french and indian war. The life and music of stan rogers is a wonderful collection of stories, memories, and facts on stans career and the people in his life. Spencer tracy as major robert rogers in northwest passage book one rogers rangers 1940 director king vidor novel kenneth roberts metro goldwyn mayer u. In february 2020, the film was shown at the 70th berlin international film festival, as part of a retrospective dedicated to king vidors career. Northwest passage was the second book by roberts i read and this as well as all other works in roberts chronicles of arundel series sold me on the us. In 1740 the war of the austrian succession 17401748 broke out in europe and in 1744 the war spread to north america where it was known as king georges war. He was a colonial frontiersman from new hampshire who fought in the british army during the fourth french and indian war and the american revolution. In the 19581959 television season, nbc aired northwest passage, a fictionalized halfhour series about rogers and men seeking the northwest passage during the french and indian war. Despite heavy losses, scandal and frequent failure, rogers rangers are credited with turning the tide in what europeans called the seven years war.
Robert rogers was famous for his companies of rangers during the french and indian war. Rogers referred to this childhood residence as mountalona. Northwest passage originally titled an unfinished conversation. In 1937, kenneth roberts wrote a novel about rogers rangers called northwest passage. It was the subject of the spencer tracy film, northwest passage wolfes army, with his majestys independent company of american rangers late 500 nations conquest of native american nations see more. Robert rogers wrote the 19 standing orders that are still in use today.
Robert rogers was famous for his companies of rangers during the french. As major rogers, a winning spencer tracy courageously guides his men through hostile territory and all manner of ambush, famine, whitewater rapids, and. Laurence stallings screenplay, talbot jennings screenplay 1 more credit. Two months before his death in 1957, kenneth roberts received a special pulitzer prize for his historical novels. It was the subject of the spencer tracy film, northwest passage.
The plot is welldeveloped from a small portion of the book taken from a time around the french and indian war. With a band of carefully chosen new hampshire foresters known as rangers, rogers was to evolve the basic principles of modern irregular warfare and give native americans an unconquerable confidence in their own military prowess. A rare television series set during the french and indian war 17541759, major rogers rangers vainly searches for the mythical river passage across the country, battling with indians or frenchmen luckless enough to cross their paths. Ross is subtitled the epic story of robert rogers i would suggest it is really the tragic story of robert rogers. It consisted of two distinct parts, and was the second best selling american book of 1937 after first having been serialized in the saturday evening post. This classic novel follows the career of major rogers, whose incredible exploits during the french and indian wars are told through langdon towne. Rogers rangers, a true military force, was not quite the hail fellow wellmet soldiers. Love or hate him, rogers has close connections to portsmouth, nh. Robert rogers, the brilliant if flawed first american special. With the publication of northwest passage, i had my first direct a profoundly depressing contact with cinema circles. Robert rogers, the brilliant if flawed first american.
Sep, 2017 he was made famous in the 1940 film northwest passage. Set in colonial america during the french and indian war, historical novelist kenneth roberts northwest passage is an epic work about the largerthanlife major rogers and the artist langdon towne who joins rogers rangers. Posted on april 16, 2014 updated on april 16, 2014 its my pleasure to present the following guest post on the real robert rogers and queens american rangers of 1776 written by todd braisted, a foremost scholar of american loyalists during the revolutionary war. Northwest passage is the story of revenge within the framework of the french and indian war, a fantastic account of courage, endurance and heroism. He traveled to england and wrote a book, a concise account of north america. During the french and indian war, rogers raised and commanded the famous rogers rangers, trained for raiding and close combat behind enemy lines. Stanley allison stan rogers november 29, 1949 june 2, 1983 was a canadian folk musician and songwriter. Three other ranger companies were formed in 1756, one of them commanded by rogers brother. Northwest passage is a 1940 technicolor film, starring spencer tracy, robert young, walter brennan, ruth hussey, and others. Although rogers fought for the british, most of his rangers became patriots. As langdon gradually draws strength, wisdom, and experience from adversity, major rogers slowly crumbles before hardship. Our new desktop experience was built to be your music destination.
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