Patrick O'Donnell

Patrick K. O'Donnell is a bestselling, critically acclaimed military historian and an expert on elite units. He is the author of 13 books, including his new, bestselling book on the Civil War: "The Unvanquished: The Untold Story of Lincoln’s Special Forces, the Manhunt for Mosby’s Rangers, and the Shadow War That Forged America’s Special Operations," to be released in May, 2024. "The Indispensables," "Beyond Valor," "First SEALs,", and "The Unknowns." O'Donnell served as a combat historian in a Marine rifle platoon during the Battle of Fallujah and often speaks on espionage, special operations, and counterinsurgency. He has provided historical consulting for DreamWorks' award-winning miniseries "Band of Brothers" and documentaries produced by the BBC, the History Channel, and Discovery. PatrickKODonnell.com @combathistorian

GOP, Democrat, elephant and donkey

Opinion

October 12, 2024

The first October Surprise, in a presidential election considered the most important in history

In American politics, a contrived or spontaneous event influencing a presidential election has been termed an "October Surprise."

Military members placing flags on tombstones

Opinion

May 27, 2024

Finding Sgt Frith: A Civil War soldier to remember on Memorial Day

Memorial Day traces its origins to over 160 years ago, when a grieving country sought to honor the many brave men lost in the Civil War, including Sgt. Joseph Allen Frith.

Lincoln and generals at Antietam

Opinion

May 18, 2024

Civil War taught how to influence news media. It nearly cost Lincoln re-election

The idea of using news media to spin a narrative and push a political agenda is hardly new. The Confederate Secret Service used that strategy to try and defeat President Lincoln.

This William B. T. Trego painting depicts a cavalry duel during Confederate Gen. Jeb Stuart’s famous ride around Union Gen. George McClellan during the American Civil War.

Opinion

May 7, 2024

Lincoln’s special forces battled Mosby’s Confederate Rangers with bravery and brains

The Civil War wasn't all large battles. The future of US special forces was inspired by Lincoln’s Union Scouts who fought Confederate commander Mosby with bravery and brains.

Sergeant William T. Biedler, 16 years old, of Company C, Mosby's Virginia Cavalry Regiment with flintlock musket.

Opinion

April 20, 2024

How humanity triumphed over an actual lottery of death during the Civil War

Near the end of the Civil War, the two sides started executing enemy soldiers. That led to an actual death lottery. But instead of it continuing, good men found the humanity to stop it.

Attack on Trenton

Opinion

December 25, 2023

The brave men who saved America’s first Christmas

The continental army was struggling to keep fighting that Christmas in 1776. Brave soldier-mariners from Marblehead, Massachusetts, helped save George Washington's army at Trenton.