Customer Reviews

Benedict Arnold, Revolutionary Hero: An American Warrior Reconsidered

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(6)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

I began this book with the preconceived notion that I think most American's have that Arnold had absolutely no redeeming qualities. This book dispels that myth but at the same time offers no apology for Arnold's treason. The extent of James Kirby Martin's research and analysis is the book's strongest point. Up until Arnold's treason, his contributions to the American Revolution were substantial yet largely unappreciated. Martin documents in great detail the heroic and selfless actions taken by Arnold in the early part of the war, and then dissects Arnold's disillusionment with the independence movement and descent into betrayal. Arnold's distaste for the independence movement centered on the Continental Congress, where decisions were made to placate regional interests and to appease petty egos rather than to reward meritorious conduct on the battlefield. The ironic thing is that Arnold had the unwavering loyalty of the one person who counted: George Washington. Arnold was unable to appreciate this. Washington, like Arnold, had his many detractors in the Congress, yet Washington, unlike Arnold, was not consumed by it in the end. This book is not an apology for Benedict Arnold's attempt to hand West Point over to the British. Rather, it is a compelling acknowledgement that Arnold was a complex individual who had many virtuous qualities and who poured every ounce of his being into the quest for independence until he was consumed by his disillusionment. I wholeheartedly recommend this book to all persons who are interested in American History. James Kirby Martin challenges what we learn about Benedict Arnold as children, yet never requires us to conclude that Arnold's treason was either laudable or excusable.

It's an obvious concept if you think about it: our automatic thought when we hear the name "Benedict Arnold" is clearly a matter of perspective, not simple truth. The victors write the histories. Had Britain won the war, Arnold would have been, at worst, someone who saw the writing on the wall and got out while the getting was good, and at best, a prodigal son who'd seen the light and returned to the fold, renouncing his treason against king and country.

The first beauty of this book is that by simply existing, it forces you TO think about it; most people never do. But beyond that, it gives a meticulous history of the man, admitting his flaws (he was ambitious and more than a bit prickly about what he saw as slurs on his personal honor) but also pointing out the many positives that most Americans are completely unaware of: he was one of the greatest generals in the rebel cause, generous, courageous, honorable, and brilliant. So why did this man turn against the cause he'd fought for? Partly because he was disillusioned by the behavior towards himself and others by what he saw as a congress interested more in political connections than competence in awarding military honors, partly because he came to believe that said congress's incompetence rendered the American cause unwinnable. An error, and a serious one, but one which must be balanced against the fact that his contributions at the battle of Saratoga were largely responsible for the American victory.

A fascinating study into a seriously overlooked subject in American history. A must-read.

Martin has created a new spin for Benedict Arnold. Much to my surprise I enjoyed this book. Since a child, the name Benedict Arnold has always left me with goose bumps. The "hated American" who left us for the British. I received this book for christmas and expected it to further my distaste for Arnold. To my surprise, Martin has me contemplating Arnolds place among great American Generals. Not to say I will ever look upon Arnold as a hero, but lets just the goose bumps are gone. One may look at Arnold differently after reading this and at some points you may even feel sorry for the man. Readers will find themselves wondering how can a man who leads his troops through the Maine wilderness in the dead of winter turn his back on everthing he has fought for. An amazing story!

Having spent the past two months reading other biographies of Arnold, I am now, in Martin's words, "reconsidering" my earlier review ( see below). While Martin's work is well written, interesting, and highly readable, it is far too incomplete to be anything other than a suplementary source. Martin ignores key activites in Arnold's life, most importantly his time spent as commandant in Philadephia, and also ignores the romance and marriage to Peggy Shippen. Col. Andre is mentioned in only a cursory manner. The treason itself is barely touched upon. The book essentially ends after the Battles of Sarasota, when Arnold was badly wounded. What emerges is an interesting but incomplete portriat of General Arnold. It would be a great Volume one, if Martin were to continue the biography by addressing these other events in Arnolds life. But for one who is interested in learning about Arnold for the first time, this book is best left on the shelf for after a more! thorough biography.

James Kirby Martin presents a fascinating view of Benedict Arnold, from his birth and early years, through his wartime exploits, up to his betrayal. The book succeeds on many levels. For one, it forces the reader to confront certain truths that have been obscured by the fog of history - namely that Benedict Arnold, until his betrayal, was an American hero, one of the rebels' greatest generals. In this way, while I don't view Arnold sympathetically for his betrayal, I see him now as the lead role in a real life Greek tragedy. He could have been among the greatest of our Founders. Moreover, the book does not excuse Arnold's treason, but does explain it and put it in context. If for no other reason than historical accuracy, it is important for students of history to know why Arnold committed treason.

The book was masterfully written and meticulously researched. Along the line of research, one final word. This book spurred me to research and review a number of the sources cited by Martin. A previous reviewer criticized Martin for failing to cite the novels of Kenneth Roberts. This criticism is, to put it charitably, invalid. First, a novel is a work of fiction. This book is non-fiction, and while Roberts's novels are highly acclaimed, they are still fiction. It makes no sense to cite fiction when writing non-fiction. Second, Roberts did compile a number of diaries and memoirs entitled March to Quebec: Journals of the Members of Arnold's Expedition (1938). This source is non-fiction and in fact is cited by Martin at page 435 and 460-80. Finally, a review of this book in the New York Times Book Review notes that this book often crosses paths with Roberts's works of fiction, and that this book is a "fine successor to those splendid books."

This book truly is the definitive source on Benedict Arnold's early life, wartime exploits and ultimate betrayal of the colonial forces. I highly recommend it for anyone interested in American history.

After viewing the A&E movie A Question Of Honor, my fascination with Arnold began.. So I decided to pick up this book. Mainly because I was more interested in Arnold the American Hero rather then Arnold the American Traitor....

There are two Benedict Arnolds of the American Revolution. Most people are only familiar with the Traitor Arnold rather then the Hero Arnold. This particular book focuses on the Hero Arnold (just look at the title of the book) and does a fine job. The story of Arnolds heroic actions in the early part of the American Revolution needed to be told and James Kirby Martin tackled the task greatly......

The book more or less ends at the battle of Saratoga. Mainly because after that infamous battle, Arnolds decent into treason began to pick up steam. If Arnold would have been killed at Saratoga he would have been an American Hero. After reading this book, I almost wish that would have been the case. The man was a victim of his own bitterness. The story of Benedict Arnold was a true tragedy....

I think this book should be viewed as a "part one" of the Benedict Arnold saga. After reading this book, seek out other books(on Arnold) which focuses on his treason.......

I finally read something about the complete person, not just the Arnold who went to the British. The writer exposes the Continental Congress as petty men who kept interfering in military matters, although not enough to actually get in & fight. Arnold was not the only general to be hurt by their politcal machinations; there was even a plot to put Gates over Washington. The book satisfactorily lays out the reasons for his going over to the English: his alcoholic father, his reputation being attacked, & his growing belief that the Continental Congress was no less the tyrant than Britain. I found it a sad story. He was courageous & savvy strategically & tactically. It's unfortunate that his later actions so completely overshadows his early sucessess, especially at Saratoga. I was surprised at some of the readers' low rates due to Arnold being such a "traitor". I think people forget that most of the population weren't that interested in the ! war or were loyalists.

Kirby tells this dramatic story in a very accessible style; his book reads almost like a novel. Instead of feeding us wives-tales and caricatures, Kirby gives us a real human being, and shows us both Arnold's brilliance and the beginning of his fall. Stops at the Battle of Saratoga, rather than taking us through the treason, because the fundamental change in spirit has already occurred by then. For a continuation of the story, read the more scholarly flavored Benedict Arnold, Patriot and Traitor, by Willard Sterne Randall. Both books give great insight into revolutionary politics and leadership. Randall especially quotes many original sources.

We've all encountered people whose psyches appear to live only at the extremes. The ex-fundamentalist turned equally vociferous high-liver. The ultra-right-wing political pundit who was born in red diapers and prayed to pictures of Abbie Hoffman in the 60s. These people are incapable of seeing shades of grey. They only see black and white, and they demand that the universe adhere to that digital worldview. And when it doesn't -- they usually drop everything and run pell-mell for the far end. As a result, people like this usually make spectacularly poor life choices. It seems that Arnold was one of those people. When the revolution ceased to be 100% pure, he consigned the whole thing to the trash can and ran to the other side. Talented, brilliant, valuable -- and tragically incapable of appreciating that the world works in shades of grey.

It's particularly tragic since even now, with him being so demonized, historians still appreciate his valuable contributions and consider him the most brilliant patriot general there was. Had he just sat tight instead of striking back at the politicians he couldn't stand, he would have been practically deified.

Like I said, spectacularly poor life choices.

I gave this book four stars because a definitive work on this subject doesn't deserve five (Arnold is a footnote figure in American history and I'm a tough grader). But the author captures the story quite well, Arnold is a man of ferocious talent and weak character. I got the impression after reading the sequence of events which led to his treachery that if events had been a bit different, if Arnold had not been surrounded by enemies and mediocrities at different points in his career, he would have taken his place among America's heroes. For all of his faults (a previous reviewer referred to "bad life choices") it seems clear that bad luck plays some role in the story, who gives their all to a cause and suffers it well when spiteful mediocrities prosper?

Having said that, I finished this book with much greater esteem for people like George Washington, who also had his enemies but was blessed with a far stronger character, and came to appreciate the "unwritten" story of the American Revolution, there was a lot of political intrigue behind the scenes, malice, pettiness, Arnold had just grievances but gave in to his demons. A cautionary tale about character.