Soldiers in the Shadows: Unknown Warriors Who Changed the Course of History

Military Review, Nov-Dec, 2004 by Rick Baillergeon

SOLDIERS IN THE SHADOWS: Unknown Warriors Who Changed the Course of History, William Weir, New Page Books, Franklin Lakes, NJ, 2002, 288 pages, $24.99.

"History is made by many, many people, most of them unknown. This is an attempt to remember some of them," writes William Weir in Soldiers in the Shadows: Unknown Warriors Who Changed the Course of History. Weir highlights the actions of 10 soldiers he believes significantly affected the course of history, but who historians have virtually ignored.

Those Weir includes make up an eclectic group and range from pre-Civil War filibusterers to Indian chiefs to U.S. Army generals. Weir vividly recounts their adventures and accomplishments and assesses their places in history.

While I found the book entertaining, I believe selecting Colonel John Singleton Mosby and General Matthew Ridgway as "unknown soldiers" is a stretch, and the author's contention that these soldiers changed the course of history did not persuade me. Still, Soldiers in the Shadows is an intriguing book. Weir's writing style keeps the reader engaged and makes for great reading.

LTC Rick Baillergeon, USA, Retired, Fort Leavenworth, Kansas