Customer Reviews

The Real Benedict Arnold

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4 star:		(1)
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I don't think I've had such strong feelings about a biography since I read Kitty Kelly's The Bush Dynasty, but for exactly opposite reasons. Murphy's meticulously produced biography of Arnold gives us a vivid picture of a much- maligned, complex hero. This book also reveals much about the tenor of the times: an unruly, chaotic congress, disintegrating militia, and few true patriots. Struggling through many battles (in the field and in congress), Arnold turned Loyalist because he questioned whether the government he had been fighting for was worthy, not only of his personal sacrifices, but of those of his fellow Americans. Murphy includes copious notes, sources, and related asides, as well as a T of C and index. Though the Amazon listing puts this at the 9-12 age level, I believe this to be a typo, as the book would be better suited/understood by students in grades 9-12. It's a great read at any age, though, and belongs in all libraries.

Jim Murphy proved himself a great author of young adult non-fiction with An American Plague. With The Real Benedict Arnold he does an excellent job of redeeming Benedict Arnold. While his treason isn't excusable, to ignore his heroism is just as bad. Murphy tells the exciting stories of the Battle of Ticonderoga, the Quebec Campaign, the Battle of Valcour Island, the Battle of Danbury and the Battle of Saratoga, where Arnold brilliantly fought for the Continental Army. His later actions led biographers to downplay Arnold the hero and spread vicious rumors about his childhood. Jim Murphy sets the record straight, acknowledging that, although flawed, Arnold was not the monster many would have you believe. Had he died at Saratoga, our children would not know him as the traitor, but the man whose skill as a soldier and a general allowed the Americans to put up a good fight with the odds stacked against them (Quebec, Valcour Island) and made him the hero of the battle that turned the war's tide in the favor of the rebels.

Jim Murphy has done it again -- crafted a work of non-fiction so compelling that it will keep kids hooked like an action-packed novel. The fact that Benedict Arnold's life reads like a novel helps. Murphy asks important questions about the man whose name has become synonymous with the word "traitor" and explores those questions with an open mind and an eye for historical detail. THE REAL BENEDICT ARNOLD takes a look at the man behind the label, his early days of the war, his motivations, and the reasons for the decision that ultimately made him infamous.

This is a fascinating book -- one that I'm recommending to teachers as a companion to my own middle grade historical novel SPITFIRE, which tells the story of two young people who were with Benedict Arnold's fleet on Lake Champlain in the fall of 1776. Just as Murphy's AN AMERICAN PLAGUE is a perfect complement to Laurie Halse Anderson's FEVER, this book will prove to be an invaluable resource for teachers looking to add some non-fiction to classroom libraries and discussions.

This book puts into perspective the political irony of an individual who was the hero of the Saratoga Revoluntionary Battle and then shunned his deserved military ranking by jealous individuals.
Horatio Gates took the credit for Burgoyne's defeat and Gates never was involved in the outcome.
Saratoga was the turning point in the war with England and Arnold was the on the field leader.
Being from upstate New York, I enjoy reading of history that involves said state.

That said, Arnold's later actions has condemned his name to be referred to forever as a traitor.
Jim Murphy has written an excellent book on the two faces of this hero/villian.

I bought this book for the purpose of research along with other books and got just what I expected: A history book that is well-written and tells an engaging story about Arnold's life.

It talks about many different stages of his life, his childhood and being pushed into adulthood by circumstance, getting into the war, his difficult rise to legendary status, and his sympathetic fall to becoming a traitor.

I would really recommend this book to anyone who is interested in talking a closer look at Arnold's personal life in relation to his public life and life in the service.

Here's a question about historical fiction for history teachers. It is truly a question and not a criticism. I'm not sure of the answer and am seeking some guidance. Several reviewers praised this book for opening up another side of Benedict Arnold. That is great stuff to see the numerous sides of an issue. But... Are we accepting a piece of fiction as accuarate history? Are we assuring readers, especially students, that the information in the book is accurate, so they can use it in developing their understandings and views of events and people? It seems that historical fiction can hit almost anywhere on the spectrum from an interesting story set in a time period with no concern for accuracy to something very concerned about the history and simply fleshing out conversations to make the history more alive. How are we preparing our students to deal with historical fiction as a part of their total picture of history? I'm certainly not an expert on this but have concerns and hope reviewers can help with some insights. Thanks.