Revisionist history can be perplexing. Simply the passage of time may allow more neutral views of events. Long hidden documents may be unearthed. Better understanding of context can come to the fore.

In a new book, Martin Klotz takes a comprehensive look at Robert Rogers (1731-1795), famous (the author might redefine that as infamous) primarily during the French and Indian Wars that preceded America’s quest for independence. His book, “Robert Rogers, Ranger: The Rise and Fall of an American Icon,” doesn’t have Rogers coming off well.

There’s not much disagreement about the Massachusetts-born fighter being physically imposing, athletic, daring and courageous. He could clearly be charismatic, inspiring others to join him in his expeditions.

Daring forays to reconnoiter Fort St. Frederic at Crown Point and Fort Carillon (today’s Ticonderoga) showed him unhesitant to pass through French-dominated territory in order to assess the strength of Britain’s adversaries. On one expedition, he encroached well north of Crown Point before heading back to his home base.

Such efforts got him noticed by military superiors and by the press, to the point that one writer deemed him our country’s first media sensation. Once he realized the potential benefits of such exposure, he became, like today’s influencers, adept at gaining attention. His so-called escape on snowshoes at Lake George became legendary. So did his “Rules of Ranging,” a manual cited even today in discussion of American special forces.

According to Klotz, though, Rogers lacked the ability to command larger groups than the ranger squadrons with which he first excelled. He could be careless and undisciplined. He eventually felt himself exempt from orders given by higher ranking officers, not a good strategy for long-term success in the military.

During a western assignment near Detroit, he developed interest in fur trading. Given a command at the westernmost English installation, at Michilimackinac in the Great Lakes, he countermanded direct instructions by loosening rules for fur traders wishing to travel into native settlements.

Rogers became perhaps a bit grandiose, organizing a large Native American council in 1767, and then developing proposals to send explorers in search of the long-sought Northwest Passage to the Pacific. Later he advocated establishment of a huge new province to include what are now five American states (Michigan, Wisconsin, Minnesota and both Dakotas) and parts of several Canadian provinces. He, of course, expected to be named governor of the territory. One thinks back to an earlier officer’s assessment — “Rogers is a good man in his way, but his schemes are very wild and he has a new one every Day.”

Though some of his ideas felt almost “breathtaking in scope,” poor business decisions and conflicts of interest skewed his judgment. By then, other faults had surfaced. He tended to be profligate in his spending, always needing more money; later in his career he spent significant time in debtors’ prisons in England. A proclivity for lying, first in efforts to get funds, and then in his military relationships, eroded his integrity. Alcohol use became a concern.

Rogers was arrested for treason, based on suspicion of defection to French forces; he was acquitted at trial in Montreal. After waffling about what would be in his best interest, he cast his lot with Loyalists during the American Revolution. He played a role in capturing colonial spy Nathan Hale, but otherwise had little role in the conflict.

His personal life unraveled, too. He virtually neglected his wife for years, became a bit of a womanizer and began heavily drinking — not necessarily in that order. His wife eventually sought divorce on grounds of neglect, abandonment and infidelity. When the onetime hero died in 1795 in London, virtually no one on this side of the Atlantic noticed.

Klotz debunks such myths as the escape on snowshoes along Lake George, and the importance of his “rules for rangers.” At times, he makes his case so forcefully as to resemble litigation; indeed, the author enjoyed a successful career as an attorney. His arguments, though, are detailed and well referenced.

Much of Rogers’ life can feel cinematic. Along with exciting military exploits, there’s counterfeiting ventures, and suspicion of cannibalism during a protracted and difficult retreat. Some inconsistencies in chronology confused me, but I generally found this to be a rewarding read. I’ll need to rethink my overall views on Rogers.