First Ranger

A Short Story

By: Brian Andrews, Jeffrey Wilson

Narrated by: Bradford Hastings

From New York Times bestselling authors Andrews & Wilson, First Ranger is American Sniper meets The Patriot, an action-packed and deeply emotional account of the birth of American Special Forces during the Revolutionary War.

The year is 1776, and General George Washington faces an impossible war. Outnumbered, outgunned, and outmaneuvered by the might of the British Empire, his Continental Army teeters on the brink of destruction. General Howe’s forces are closing in on Manhattan, ready to crush the rebellion before it ever takes root.

Desperate to turn the tide, Washington makes a daring decision: to fight not with numbers, but with nerve.

He turns to Thomas Knowlton, a fearless Connecticut militiaman known for his boldness and brilliance under fire. In secret, Washington gives him an unprecedented mission: to create a new kind of soldier. Trained to spy, sabotage, and strike from the shadows, Knowlton’s handpicked unit will become the prototype for every elite fighting force to follow.

First Ranger tells the electrifying true story of America’s original special operator—a man whose courage, ingenuity, and sacrifice helped forge the tactics of modern warfare and ignite a revolution.

©2025 Organic Machinery Media LLC and Jeffrey Wilson (P)2025 Blackstone Publishing

Great insight

Once again you guys spun a marvelous tale. The Mission First ethos clearly present.

A&w can write!

First of all, Bradford Hastings did a fantastic job narrating this novella. It just added to the story and enjoyment. He is a new to me narrator. I’ve read all of the A&W books so I was prepared for the ending, it still hurt though. It goes to show you the author can write about any era.

Another Andrews hit

Short story, action packed, good historical detail. Set the stage for future stories to continue the tale.

Wonderful Book

This was an amazingly good book. It refilled my heart with a patriotism i hadnt felt is a long time. The blending of family, service and sacrifice was excellent, The description of Combat Tactics and weapons was crisp and well depicted. If you dont make this into a book series during our 250th anniversary you will have done your readers a disservice.

So Powerful and Personal!

The ending brought tears. The story of this simple patriotic man was so real. I felt it all!