Rabble in Arms [Paperback]

Kenneth Roberts (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 1, 1996

The second of Roberts's epic novels of the American Revolution, Rabble in Arms was hailed by one critic as the greatest historical novel written about America upon its publication in 1933. Love, treachery, ambition, and idealism motivate an unforgettable cast of characters in a magnificent novel renowned not only for the beauty and horror of its story but also for its historical accuracy.

Product Details

• Paperback: 586 pages
• Publisher: Down East Books; As edition (January 1, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0892723866
• ISBN-13: 978-0892723867
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.4 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (42 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #204,704 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

82 of 84 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Best Historical Novel About the American Revolution December 5, 1999

By Robert C. Davidson

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

I first read this book, along with all the other books this author wrote, back in 1960 and 1961 and wrote a term paper on this author's works. Book reviews contemporary with the writing of Kenneth Roberts' novels noted that there was more history packed into each of his novels than in an entire college course or two. The book describes actual historical events through the eyes of several colorful fictional characters. This novel describes the birth of the United States Navy, where, in 1776, the American Colonists under command of General Benedict Arnold built a fleet of ships in Skenesborough (now Whitehall) at the foot of Lake Champlain. It describes the subsequent battle of Valcour Island, where this tiny fleet of ships took on a much larger British force sailing south on Lake Champlain enroute from Canada to Albany. Although the American Fleet was eventually dispersed, this first US Navy successfully delayed the British by a year in their march to the south. This year allowed the Americans to recruit a large enough army to defeat Burgoyne's British Army at Saratoga. This book tells the stories of Jennie (or Jane) McCrea's massacre by the indian allies of the British, the use of the story of her massacre to encourage enlistments throughout New York and New England, the massing of Rebel forces at Saratoga, and the defeat of General Burgoyne's Army at Saratoga. It also covers to a degree the battle of Oriskany, which halted the advance of Col. Barry St. Leger who was advancing down the Mohawk Valley from the west, with the intent to join forces with Burgoyne at Albany. During one winter, it delves into the lives of the western Indians who allied themselves with the British. It does all this in a very entertaining way. I found it to be a very enjoyable way to learn a great deal about the history of the American Revolution in the Champlain, Hudson, and Mohawk Valleys of upstate New York. I am purchasing this book to read it again for perhaps the fifth or sixth time.

25 of 25 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful! February 29, 2004

By A Customer

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

Rabble in Arms is wonderful, and Kenneth Roberts, in only his second novel, demonstrates an amazing command of the medium. The author's keen appreciation of the historical context is critical to the novel's content, but it is his skill at developing characters, fictional and historical, that gives the book its great vitality.

Comparing Rabble in Arms to Arundel misses the point. They are, for all their shared themes and characters, different books. Simply put, Peter Merrill's voice and perspective in this novel differ in many respects from those of Steven Nason in Arundel. Cap Huff, who returns as the errant knight, is integral: he is to Roberts as Falstaff is to Shakepeare. I do recommend reading Arundel first, since you will derive extra benefit from the character development that has already taken place in the first installment of this series.

Rabble in Arms is another great work by a very talented and prolific author. Perhaps Roberts' sympathetic treatment of Benedict Arnold and his ambivalence concerning patriotism and loyalty have kept his work out of the classroom. Whatever the reasons, it is tragic that Roberts and his novels are not better known. They deserve to be widely read.

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Excellent historical novel of the American Revolution. October 15, 2001

By R. H OAKLEY

Format:Paperback

Kenneth Roberts is not widely read today, although in the 30's and 40's he was a bestseller. It is unfortunate that he did not write straight history because the strongest part of his books is usually the narrative of what the soldiers actually went through -- the amount of marching and getting by on short rations greatly exceeds the time in combat. The one historical weakness of both this book and Arundel is that Benedict Arnold comes across as too heroic. As much time as Roberts spends on Arnold's frustrations and mistreatment by the Continental Congress, his portrayal of Arnold is of someone too good to betray his character. I also agree with the reviewer who tired of Cap's comic adventures. Still, Roberts has a strong narrative gift, and it is good to see his books back into print again. The N.C. Wyeth cover is also nice.