The Real Benedict Arnold

by Jim Murphy

Every account of the American Revolution mentions Benedict Arnold and brands him—correctly—as a traitor. There’s no question that Arnold, an American army officer, switched his loyalty to the British side. Over the years, however, historians, partisans, and gossips have added to Arnold’s unsavory reputation by distorting, embroidering, or simply ignoring factual details.
In this informed and thoughtful account, Jim Murphy goes in search of the real man behind the “traitor” label, rumors, and folktales that became part of the Benedict Arnold legend. Drawing on Arnold’s few surviving writings and on the letters, memoirs, and political documents of his contemporaries, Murphy builds a fascinating portrait of a brilliant man, consistently undervalued by his peers, who made a choice that continues to reverberate through American history. Dramatic accounts of crucial battles and political maneuvers round out this lively biography of a patriot who could have been a hero.

Genres: Biography, History, Nonfiction, American History, American Revolution, Childrens, Juvenile

272 pages, Hardcover

First published September 17, 2007

About the author

An American author of more than 35 nonfiction and fiction books for children, young adults, and general audiences, including more than 30 about American history. He won the Margaret Edwards Award from the American Library Association in 2010 for his contribution in writing for teens. Jim lives in Maplewood, New Jersey, in a hundred-year-old house with his wife Alison Blank, a children’s TV producer and children’s book author and editor, his two talented musician sons, a regal mutt, an African water frog that will live forever, and a house vast collection of books..

Reviews

[Cindy Dobrez · Rating 4 out of 5]

I knew only the legend, now I understand the complexity of Arnold's choice to turn traitor to a cause he initially believed in so fervently. The book gets off to a slow start and is sure to excite readers who like battle strategy and details, but I found the psychological and political information fascinating.

[Anthony · Rating 4 out of 5]

“The Real Benedict Arnold” is a fascinating study in what made one of America’s greatest military leaders choose to become one of its most vilified historical figures. I could not help but ask myself while reading this book: if I was in Benedict Arnold’s place what would I have done? While his actions are considered reprehensible, one comes away with a better understanding and maybe even a little compassion for the American Traitor. While not an exhaustive text on the subject, it is a well researched and thought out. Even the adult reader with casual interest in the subject will find it enjoyable.

[Annette · Rating 5 out of 5]

Since learning that my ancestor participated in the March through the Wilderness and Battle of Quebec in 1775, I've been fascinated in Benedict Arnold. The Real Benedict Arnold by Jim Murphy provides insights into the life of this famous general and traitor. Murphy does a wonderful job providing a detailed, yet easy-to-read account of Arnold's rise and fall. Through the use of primary source documents and other historical materials, Murphy addresses the fact and fiction surrounding this legendary figure in American history. I recommend this book for anyone who enjoyed an engaging biography.

[Tyler Goldberg]

The book was really interesting. The theme is never judge something without learning a lot about it because I learned the Benedict Arnold was never recaptured and that he was actually a huge help before he became a traitor.

[Kelly · Rating 3 out of 5]

Jim Murphy tries to defend some of the good deeds that Benedict Arnold accomplished in his lifetime. Let's say it...the guy has a bad reputation. I think the author makes a great attempt at showing how Arnold spent most of his life trying to bring honor to his family and he just made a pretty bad mistake. I always wondered what happened to him after the revolution and now I know! I thought the book had a few too many details for the average teen reader, but if someone is interested in the subject, they might enjoy it. I'll admit there were parts where I was bored, but I think this is worth a look.

[Bookbag_Betty · Rating 3 out of 5]

- Protect Your Precious Soul Which Once Lost Can Never Be Regained.
- Sometimes, however, the need to be successful dominates a person's life, though it is usually triggered by some sort of extremely upsetting event.
- But like many adolescent agonies remained buried, working it's destruction secretly, silently and slowly, deep beneath the skin.

"I am heartily tired with my journey and almost so with human nature. I daily discover so much baseness and ingratitude among mankind that I almost blush at being of the same species."

"On You Alone My Happiness Depends."

"Delay In The Present Case Is Worse Than Death."

NIL DESPERANDUM - Never Despair.

The Most Brilliant Soldier
You Are Accountable
Be Ye Also Ready
A Reputation Of Unsullied Honor
Good God Are The Americans All Asleep?
None But Almighty God Shall Prevent My Marching
I Have Resigned My Commission
Our Gallant Colonel
The Forlorn Hope
He Will Turn Out A Great Man
The Gallant Defense
By Heavens I Will Have Justice
A Devilish Fighting Fellow
You Will Hear Of My Being Victorious
Inspired By The Fury Of A Demon
We'll Have Them All In Hell
I Am Heartily Tired
On You Alone My Happiness Depends
Because I Might Have Done Wrong
Whom Can We Trust Now?
Nil Desperandum

The first Benedict Arnold was trusted enough by settlers to be elected governor of Rhode Island ten times, serving for 15 years.
Many of the leading citizens of the Revolutionary era were drawn to Freemasonry.
John Hancock was probably one of the most famous merchant smuggler at this time. 1720

TRAVELED TO // Connecticut, American Revolution Battlefields, Canada, England, Pennsylvania, New York
MET ALONG THE WAY // Benedict Arnold

[Marilyn Lagier · Rating 2 out of 5]

My mom loves going to the Friends of the Library book sales and buying up dozens of books--mostly mysteries or classics. However, this non-fiction book was one she recently got. She started it and then decided that since I was the history major in the family that I should read it--so she passed it over to me. How was it? Well, it was OK. I do have to admit that everything I ever learned about Benedict Arnold in my history classes through the many years NEVER covered anything that the author researched out and wrote about. I didn't know he had been passed over many times for a higher military rank. I didn't know that the Continental Congress was just as mean-spirited and petty as our Congress is today. I didn't know that there actually is a monument to Benedict Arnold, albeit without his name on it, but it is outside Saratoga, NY, and was erected by a man who was a Civil War veteran and considered Arnold a vile traitor to his country but also a brilliant military strategist. And since Arnold was severely wounded in his leg at the battle here, the monument has just a boot and partial leg on it as well as an explanation (without Arnold's name) of why it's there. Very interesting. So, all in all, it was OK, I learned things, and now I'm passing it back to my mom so that she can finish.

[GIDDINGS LIBRARY · Rating 4 out of 5]

This biography of Benedict Arnold was fascinating! Legend has painted him as a monster who betrayed the patriot cause for money, but many historical letters and documents show a man who at the start of the revolution was a brave, passionate, and stalwart American patriot. However, after losing everything in the war, being shunned and disrespected by congress, betrayed by nearly all his friends, was constantly slandered by peers jealous of his talents and accomplishments, he lost his belief in the patriot cause and instead made a deal with Britain in an attempt to preserve what was left of his family, fortune, and honor. It took me all month to finish it because it was kind of a heavy read, due to all the details about revolutionary battle strategies but it was fascinating and I loved it! Find it at The Giddings Public Library under J B ARN. -Miss Taylor

[Kim Dennis · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought this was a good overview of Arnold's life. I would have liked a little more about his life after the war. I had heard some things that didn't seem to go along with what this book said about the end of his life. However, at least for now, I'm willing to give Murphy the benefit of the doubt. At the beginning, he cited what a lot of other authors have said about Arnold, why they said that, and why they could potentially be wrong. Most of the book was dedicated to Arnold's life during the war.

I knew many of the things that could have led to his betrayal, but there was a lot more in here. I found several things that I can potentially tell my students.

Overall, this was a pretty good, albeit short, biography of Benedict Arnold.

[Taylor Ren’e Lara · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was fascinating! Legend has painted the infamous Benedict Arnold as a monster who betrayed the patriot cause for money, but many historical letters and documents show a man who at the start of the revolution was a brave, passionate, and stalwart American patriot. However, after losing everything in the war, being shunned and disrespected by congress, betrayed by nearly all his friends, was constantly slandered by peers jealous of his talents and accomplishments, he lost his belief in the patriot cause and instead made a deal with Britain in an attempt to preserve what was left of his family, fortune, and honor. It took me all month to finish it because it was kind of a heavy read, due to all the details about revolutionary battle strategies but it was fascinating and I loved it!

[Megan · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think that this book is great, it tells who Benedict Arnold really was. this book also debunks some of the myths that have evolved over time. However, it was a bit boring and I didn't really have fun reading it, nor did I want to keep reading it. I would get this book if you want to do a school project. However, I would not read it for pleasure as it is a bit boring.

[Robert · Rating 5 out of 5]

"The Real Benedict Arnold" is a great book that explains what Arnold's reasons for switching sides were. After reading this book, you will understand why Benedict turned, and will mabey even have a little compassion for him. I would recommend this book for anyone that has even a little bit of interest in Benedict Arnold.

[Lydia · Rating 3 out of 5]

I couldn't tell of which opinion the author was and so the book was very...cloudy.

[Raymond C. · Rating 2 out of 5]

The Real Benedict Arnold
By: Jim Murphy
Biography
272 pages

The Real Benedict Arnold is the story about one of the most notorious traitors of the American Revolution. Benedict Arnold was born in 1741 in America. His older brother, also named Benedict had died from a fever when he was still a baby. He became part of the Sons of Liberty and was the captain of the New Haven one. Later, Benedict led the militia to capture Fort Ticonderoga with Ethan Allen and the Green Mountain Boys. Even though Benedict helped Ethan, Ethan Allen took credit for it, and became bitter enemies with Benedict. This is just one of the many times Benedict got no credit for work he had done. Eventually, Benedict Arnold would become a general and win many battles. He wanted to become the second highest general, but he was denied many times. All of Benedict Arnold's friends either betrayed him or were captured, and he had almost no one in Congress to defend him. Tired of not getting credit for what he deserved, and being attacked so many times by people such as Ethan Allen, Benedict Arnold met up with John Andre's, who was part of the British Army, and they discussed a plan to get Benedict Arnold to surrender a fort, and to get him to Britain. John Andre's was captured, and was executed, but Benedict Arnold made it to Britain. Even there, Benedict Arnold had many political enemies. The book ends with talking about why Benedict Arnold switched sides.

One of the main reasons I dislike this book is that Jim Murphy makes it seem like Benedict Arnold switched sides because he was mad at Congress for humiliating him, and because he hadn't been paid for three years. If this were actually the case though, people probably wouldn't talk about how bad Benedict Arnold was. Also, Jim Murphy is too sympathetic to Benedict Arnold, and he talks about why Benedict's reasons were justified. Another reason I dislike the book is that it makes some of the facts sound exaggerated, like that "In fact, it was nearly three hours before Gates finally issued the order to 'begin this game'.". It doesn't seem like a general would wait three hours to launch an attack. A part I like about this book is that it is clear that Jim Murphy did a lot of research. The book itself is pretty long compared to most of his other books, which implies that he spent a lot more time on this book than the other ones. Also, Jim Murphy busted myths about Benedict Arnold and included quotes from some of Benedict's letters and conversations. Overall, this was one of my least favorite biography books.

[Adrienne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jim Murphy takes a look at the life of Benedict Arnold and shows how he went from being a zealous patriot, leading troops in the American revolution, to plotting with the British to try to end the revolution. Although he's often portrayed as being a villain from the start, Murphy shows how Arnold was an inspirational military leader, with a great mind for strategy, who was hampered by personal enemies within the American forces. While Arnold led his troops to victory, other Patriots tried to undermine his success, downplaying his role in the battles, claiming victory for themselves, and even denouncing his character. Additionally, without the political connections he needed in Congress, he was bypassed for advancements that should have been his but instead went to less-experienced and less-qualified men. Superior officers were overly cautious in battle when Arnold's battle plans likely could have dealt the British forces significant blows, and lower officers mutinied against him. With the revolution stalling due to inept military decisions, his honor attacked, betrayal by those he trusted, and Congress's many follies (which likely made him wonder if the Patriots could provide a government any better than Great Britain's), Arnold switched sides.

As usual, Jim Murphy has provided a fascinating, well-researched look at history. He does a great job showing how Arnold could have been disillusioned with the very cause he once passionately embraced, going from a leader who inspired his men, used his own money to finance his troops' needs when Congress was slow to do so, and a true friend to the revolution, to a man who legitimately doubted, given all of the pettiness and ineptitude that he had witnessed firsthand from military leaders and Congress, that an American government would be a good thing after all. Very, very interesting book.

[Ann · Rating 3 out of 5]

I feel a little guilty for giving this only three stars, because it's not poorly researched or written, and I know that Jim Murphy is a highly respected author of this period. But this book BORED me. I struggled to get through it, and I had to set a goal of reading a chapter a day to push through. It got much more interesting once the actual betrayal was discussed, but I had to get through many, many chapters of military history to get there, and I just can't pretend to care about military strategy. Although I did really enjoy The Killer Angels...hmmm....anyway, I know my disinterest in military history is a personal one, but I also struggled with Murphy's portrayal of Arnold and his very obvious high regard for him. I agree that Arnold had complex reasons for betraying the Revolution, and that he has most likely been judged too harshly by history, but the fact that SO many people deeply disliked Arnold throughout his life had to have been for a reason, and I never felt that was adequately addressed. I felt that Murphy was a little too sympathetic to Arnold and was willing to give him a lot of allowances, so the entire book felt too subjective. I think that Arnold's story could have been written to show how tragic his fall was, while still accounting for why he was so reviled.

[Liz Cole · Rating 4 out of 5]

So the last Arnold bio I read was Claire Brandt's The Man in the Mirror. I actually liked this one better. The book itself is wide, large-print with lots of maps and illustrations. Murphy did insert a random comparison to George Washington in the beginning part but other than that he doesn't deviate from the subject matter except to illustrate the historical context. Kind of unsettling that he'd refer to the subject by the first name but it's a small issue. Murphy's bio is great because it's very focused and Murphy sticks to the facts. He's brought a legendary figure down to earth. His account of America's most infamous traitor is of a guy trying to restore honor to himself and his family but otherwise a normal person trying to get by. Murphy reminds us that Arnold was a brilliant commander who also did his best to make sure the men fighting under him were taken care of. However, he also faced a lot of opposition from the people who were supposed to be helping him. His act of treason, Murphy argues, was not solely an act of selfish interest but a protest against a government he could no longer work for (not that it was a good idea, though). The author does a great job of capturing the contentious environment that Arnold found himself fighting against on both sides without getting bogged down in petty details. 'The Real Benedict Arnold' is a breath of fresh air.

[Kate · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[Margaret · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was a hard read for me. It was interesting but read really slow. It is about Benedict Arnold and why he came to betray his country. There is much battle discussion, and the different people who didn't like him all get refered to by their first names, and it was sometimes hard to keep them straight.

After saying that, I did enjoy the book, it did what it set out to do. I understand why Benedict Arnold might have felt that the Revolution shouldn't succeed because of the many people who distorted his actions and backstabbed him.

This book was found in the youth section of the library. I can not believe that even a middle schooler would be able to read it through. I think it is better for high school, because of the way it is written.

[Emily · Rating 3 out of 5]

Revises the traditional schoolbook perspective on Benedict Arnold as a traitor, depicting Arnold as a skilled military commander and good person who betrayed the American cause because his military expedictions had bankrupted him, and Congress had failed to give him the recognition he thought he deserved, and he had become disillusioned about the idea that the American democracy could work any better than the American government.

It's a good resource, but contains too much military detail to be really interesting for someone without any interest in the history of the American Revolution.

[James · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is another one of those weird amalgam bios - too boring, by and large, for kids but a little too cutesy for grownups. Adheres to the kid bio convention of always calling the principal by his first name - I guess it's to make us feel intimately connected, but when Murphy is relating a lot of dry political infighting it just feels bizarre. And Murphy is a little too committed to rehabilitating Arnold. BA is portrayed as the victim in every quarrel (and he was a pretty quarrelsome dude), a puppet of circumstance who had no choice but to betray his cause and his associates.

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

Finally, a book that recognizes Benedict Arnold as a person and ascribes more than just mercenary reasons for his treason. Murphy not only contradicts the dastardly portrait of Arnold portrayed by Fritz, he provides thoughtful, well-reasoned explanations for many of the events of Arnold’s life. Additionally, he explicitly states that little record of Arnold’s early life remains and that many of the anecdotes noted by historians (and contained in the other books) were stories made up after Arnold created treason. This book provides a well-balanced image of Benedict Arnold.

[amansar3 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Benedict Arnold ..

An american army officer during the revolution agains he British, Benedict Arnold was tolerant and bold, to when he was constantly abused by others (congress). With the congress constantly overlooking him due to many jealous of his army position, his only companion was George Washington that still supported him. When Washington too went rouge on Arnold, he made the ultimate blow to switch sides to the British. Arnold is now recognized as a traitor to the Americans, while still being one of the greatest military officers during the revolution.

[Kate Hastings · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fascinating information that tries to separate fact from fiction while investigating one of America's most infamous characters. Truly makes one appreciate how the "winners" get to interpret history.

I didn't finish this book due to lack of time, but it would certainly be something I'd be willing to read, especially if I could tie it in with a fictional account or a Colonial/Revolutionary War unit for middle school.

[Brenda · Rating 4 out of 5]

So far this book reveals a very different Benedict Arnold than is commonly know. Looking forward to understanding the reasons behind his traitorous actions. His role in the American Revolution should be heavily revised. Finished the book and understood his treachery. Battle weary man made the best settlement he could for his Tory wife and her family.

[Kate · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great overview of the man who is commonly considered to be the most significant traitor in American history. It looks at both sides of the story; Benedicts heroism and bravery; and how he felt betrayed by his country and why became a turncoat.

[Haley Burgraff]

if you are my friend DON'T READ IT:( IT IS SO BORING AND I DON'T WANT YOU TO GO THROUGH THE TORTURE LIKE I DID SO DON'T READ IT! i SWEAR YOU WILL DIE OF BOREDISM BECAESE IT IS SSSSSSSSSOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
bORING

[Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Non-fiction for older elementary and middle schoolers. I can't imagine anyone but history buffs willing to get through this book, though it is very good.

[Rishon]

compelling portrait of a complex political figure. brilliant strategist.
SLJ

[Edward Sullivan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Superb biography!