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George Washington And Benedict Arnold: A Tale of Two Patriots

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This book was a pleasure to read. It presents aspects of the Revolutionary War in ways that are often not given us. Too often, the founding is presented as a united band of enlightened brethren who created the founding documents with only minor differences. Washington is often depicted as the transcendent leader who was universally lauded. And Benedict Arnold is the brand name for traitor. Well, this terrific history by Dave R. Palmer, who was the superintendent of West Point, presents a realistic picture of the struggles Washington had in leading the armed forces and all those who had designs in removing him and advancing themselves or a favorite in his place. And the heroic contributions of Benedict Arnold in important battles through Saratoga are also noted.

Arnold was a man of great boldness and hot temper. He was able to lead men in battle because he was a fierce warrior. The arduous campaigns he led into the north and especially that expedition into Canada earned him the nickname of America's Hannibal. He was wounded more than once and was later wounded so badly in his leg that doctors wanted to amputate it. Arnold refused to let his leg be taken. However, the leg remained shorter than the other and gave him severe pain the rest of his life. Immediately after being wounded he expressed regret that he had not been killed. What a different reputation he would have today if he had been!

His recuperation took quite awhile, and it was during this time the accumulation of hurts he had received at the hands of the Continental Congress and other officers after he had sacrificed his fortune and had now sacrificed his body. He became bitter. After all, the Congress had promoted less senior officers over him because of they had connections and he did not. Even after he won his promotion through his valor on the field of battle, they did not restore his seniority. After he had given his fortune to the cause, he was harangued with charges and court-martialed (even the lengthy process was an insult). Almost all the charges were dismissed except the use of a couple of army wagons to save some of his property before it was destroyed by the British (from his own ship that he had given to the cause and was being destroyed). Even his friend, General Washington, gave him the required letter of reprimand for the use of the wagons. This was actually a kindness from Washington, for it could have been much worse.

He also married into the Shippen family, who had Loyalist sympathies. This led to his coming into contact with the British through General Clinton. While Washington wanted Arnold back at his side in battle, Arnold connived to be put in charge of West Point, then a very strategic fort held by the Revolutionaries. He was to strengthen it and prepare it to hold off an expected attack from the British. Instead, he conspired to turn it over to the British and was caught before he could complete his plan by good fortune rather than skill. He escaped while his British agent was caught and hung. It was Arnold's fall from hero to traitor that made his actions so hurtful to so many.

Washington bore far more insult and difficulties than Arnold, was himself heroic in battle, and had the additional burdens of betrayals of supposed friends such as Arnold, the broken promises of Congress, trying to keep his men in the field despite their lack of food, clothing, and equipment, and still had all the political maneuverings from men such as Thomas Mifflin, Horatio Gates, Charles Lee and many others. Yet, his character never wavered. And that is the point of this book. These two illustrate so well the old truth that character is destiny. Palmer concludes the book with a nice essay on character using various standards of character from history. The Greeks used Fortitude, Temperance, Prudence, and Justice. Washington passes all four. Arnold passes on Fortitude, is mixed on Prudence, but fails abjectly in Temperance and Justice.

Palmer uses some other illustrative standards for Character and what these standards reveal about those who held those standards. None of them improve on the Greeks. But Palmer's favorite definition of Character is from the Civil War hero, Major General Joshua Chamberlain. He defined it as "a firm and seasoned substance of the soul". When one uses this sentence and thinks of Washington and Arnold, what more need be said?

Strongly recommended. This is also a beautifully printed book, handsome to look at, and delightful to hold while reading. The book has several good maps at the back that depict important periods of the Revolution discussed in the book. There are also many nice pictures depicting the principles in the book including a rare portrait of Arnold. There is also a helpful list for further study and a quite helpful index.

Treat yourself to this history, share it with friends, and especially have your young people read it and talk it over with them. They need to learn this history and discussing the realities of Character is always edifying.

One of the first things I learned as a young cadet at the United States Military Academy is the story of how Benedict Arnold betrayed his country by attempting to hand over the fortress at West Point to the British. Now, as a graduate (Class of '97), I've always wanted to know more about what went on "behind the scenes" that could have led to arguably the most infamous act in American history. This book not only delivers as a truly neutral account of the events leading up to and following Arnold's betrayal of his country, but doubles as an extremely enjoyable read. Not just your average, boring to the masses history book, Palmer brings a captive narrative and successfully details the intriguing personalities and individual motivations of the men and women surrounding both Washington and Arnold from their early days as officers in the French and Indian War to the time their lives took decidedly different directions. As is often the case, this true story is nothing short of the kind of drama and intrigue you would expect from the best John Grisham novel. Palmer weaves you in and out of love with Arnold and ends the book with an insightful look into why one man ended up the father of his country and the other a symbol of treachery. I highly recommend this book to anyone even remotely interested in this period of American history and my thanks go out to Palmer for an outstanding discussion of the character of these two men.

I enjoyed this book for the good narrative that it is. Most of my pleasure came from learning the rough details of Benedict Arnold's treason. I had only known him as a traitor prior to reading this book, but had no idea that he was "America's Hannibal" prior to becoming a turncoat, nor was I aware of the reasons for his treason or the way in which he tried to execute it.

The book is a quick, enjoyable, and easy read, which I am also grateful for, because if it weren't, I probably would have put it down and tried to find something more comprehensive on the subject of Arnold to read instead. I have never read a book on a subject such as this that contains no bibliography. Palmer includes a few suggested readings at the end of the book, but it is only about 10 books altogether, and two of them are prior works of his own.

Even within the text, Palmer several times says something like "as a prominent modern historian says 'George Washington was...'"

Well, who is the historian?!

This unwillingness to cite anyone else within the text or in a bibliography really bothered me the whole time I was reading the book. The whole thing reads like something a high school student would turn in to his history teacher. The only difference between this book and the student's essay is that the book is nearly 400 pages long.

There may be some very good reason for not including a bibliography or giving a prominent modern historian credit for his words in the text. I am not accusing Palmer of anything, only saying that these things bothered me quite a bit.

Now, I will find some more books on Benedict Arnold to get the full story.

This is a great book! It is extremely well researched and powerfully written.

Composed by career soldier and historian David Palmer, "George Washington and Benedict Arnold" tells the story of two Revolutionary War patriots who left such diametrically opposed legacies, despite life trajectories that were at one time so parallel.

George Washington and Benedict Arnold were both more than just patriots and American soldiers, they were the heart of the American military movement against the British.

Washington was the brains, soul and conscience of the Continental Army, while Benedict Arnold was the sword of the Revolution. A soldier of tremendous courage, talent and energy, he managed, time after time, to turn defeat into victory on almost every major battlefield and changed the course of the war.

Indeed, Arnold's victories eventually convinced the French to enter the war on the side of the Americans. Shortly afterward, Spain and the Netherlands followed, turning a rebellion into a world war and all but ensuring a British defeat.

But as the war progressed and Arnold failed to recieve the recognition and rewards he desperately craved, the thoughts of America's premier soldier turned to treason. Had he succeeded in his betrayal, Washington would surely have lost the war and America her independence.

How is it that two men with lives that paralleled and intertwined so closely have legacies so vastly different?

George Washington is remembered as America's greatest soldier and the father of his country, while Benedict Arnold is still considered the greatest traitor in the history of the United States.

To quote the author:

"Your thoughts become your words.
Your words become your actions.
Your actions become your habits.
Your habits become your character.
Your character becomes your destiny."

"George Washington and Benedict Arnold" is a tremendously good read, recommended for those interested in America's war for independence and the impact of character on destiny.

Dave Palmer's duel biography of George Washington and Benedict Arnold illustrate how two individuals who go through the tribulations that come to those in leadership positions choose different adjustments when confronted with adversity. Both Washington and Arnold had to deal with jealously. Others wanted and campaigned for Washington's job as commander of the Continental army, while Arnold had to deal with those who slandered him due to their envy. Washington had the patience to know when to keep him mouth shut when others would have let it all hang out to justify their wrath at their accusers. When fighting in a battle Benedict Arnold would be someone you would want on your side. There would be no mistaking his bravery as he would lead a charge, and not hang back as would his nemesis Horatio Gates. There is no getting around the matter of Arnold's treason in trying to turn West Point over to the British. As Arnold lie in bed convalescing from his second injury to his leg in the Second Battle of Saratoga he brooded about what all his efforts on behalf of his country had gained him. Hie epic journey to Quebec through the Maine wilderness, his injury to his leg at Quebec, his battles on Lake Champlain, and now his reinjury to his leg at Saratoga which he insisted not be amputated had gained him a reprimand from General Washington over still another matter while others received promotions and recognition. Arnold possessed bravery in abundance, but he falls short in regard to the importance of ethics. He would fight duels to preserve his reputation, but in the end no one trusts or respects a traitor because if he says he now commits to your cause what is to prevent him from deserting you at some time in the future? The role played by Arnold's wife, Peggy Shippen from a loyalist family, is well presented. It has been thought for centuries that she was innocent of any wrong doing, but such was not the case. Her performance in maintaining her innocence is worthy of an Oscar nomination. The book is well written and easy to follow. You need not be a student of either man to appreciate this wonderful book.

An absolutely fascinating story of two men, surprisingly alike:

Heros on the battlefield,
objects of intrigue and conspiracies,
lied to by congress,
honored leaders of armies.

The striking point is that from such similar beginnings, from the early battles won, their remaining reputations are so different. In reading this I was struck by the simularities between Benedict Arnold and Judas. In both cases it was one simple act that completely turned around a lifetime of good work. That one simple act, however, is so reviled that their very names have become synonymous with evil.

This book, written by an Army General who commanded West Point, the very fort that Arnold betrayed portrayes the strengths of the two men, their friendship, their actions, their resulting reputations. Gen. Palmer brings a different perspective to viewing the lives of these two men. He is also an excellent writer producing an easy to read book that provides new insight into the story.

One point worth mentioning that wasn't covered in the book. After the war, Arnold went to England, but he was distrusted there as well. No one likes a traitor.

Finally, on the battlefield at Saratoga, a lone monument stands in memorial to this man, but there is no mention of his name on the engraving. The inscription reads: 'In memory of the most brilliant soldier of the Continental army, who was desperately wounded on this spot, winning for his countrymen the decisive battle of the American Revolution, and for himself the rank of Major General.'

Like most Americans, my knowledge of Benedict Arnold was limited. I never fully understood why he betrayed his country nor did I appreciate all he meant to the war effort before he did, until I read this book. It fills in all the blanks. Arnold was a complicated man whose ego was his undoing. It's also fascinating to see the trajectory of his life compared to his contemporary, George Washington. I highly recommend this one.

Also, one reviewer complained there were no maps included as advertised on the back cover. There ARE maps and they're located in the back of the book.

This book tells the story of two strong individuals who helped to shape the direction of the American Revolution. One of them, George Washington, became a national legend and hero. The other, Benedict Arnold, became despised as a traitor.

I think the book is excellent in several ways. First, it shows the side of Benedict Arnold that has been lost in the instruction of the average high school or college classroom. Before he became a traitor, he was a courageous patriot whose actions helped drive the revolutionary spirit and helped the American military effort. But, by synchronously telling the story of George Washington, you can compare and contrast the two soldiers fairly easily. If Arnold's story hadn't been true, it would be similarly compared to a Shakespearean tragedy.

It was an easy book to read and comprehend, too.

Washington and Arnold - not usually names put in the same sentence, but after reading Dave Palmer's work one can only imagine that, with a twist or two of fate, our history books may have featured a President Benedict Arnold. Palmer does a nice job of running Washington and Arnold's stories in parellel. The two were much alike - at least on the battlefield - both men of action. Washington, however, was better at dealing with intrigue and attacks than Arnold. In the end, Arnold's personality quirks did him in. Too, bad because he was a natural leader. Reading A Tale of Two Patriots, I was hoping the end would change and Arnold would remain a true patriot. But, history is history and the tale ends sadly.

More than any other book written in the last 10 years, this shows how character counts. While George Washington risked his fortune and his life, as did Arnold, Washington let his sense of duty and honor rule over the types of personal attacks and insults that drove Arnold, a genuine hero but of a much weaker character than Washington, to betray his Cause, his Country, and his own men by attempting to turn over West Point (and probably the war) to the British.

While I wish there was more detail of Arnold's life after he switched sides and after the war, it is still a wonderful read!