George Washington and Benedict Arnold: A Tale of Two Patriots

by Dave Richard Palmer

Fateful turns, choices and escapes from certain death dominate this captivating story of the most compelling figures of the Revolutionary War. When General George Washington appointed Benedict Arnold military commander of the Philadelphia region, military historian Palmer argues, he was not only making one of the worst personnel decisions of his career, but was also creating the conditions for the "Traitor of America" to commit his crime. Stark contrasts and similarities between two men show how their choices informed their destiny. The son of an alcoholic, Arnold became a wealthy merchant before he took up arms against the British, but distinguishing himself on the battlefield was not enough to earn Arnold the prestige he perpetually sought. Washington, who grew up on a tranquil farm, was the beneficiary of guidance from influential figures and was groomed to be a leader. Palmer has a talent for building momentum and suspense, but his most skilled turn is as profiler of the military comrades who would later be foes.

Genres: History, Biography, American History, American Revolution, Nonfiction, American Revolutionary War, Presidents

424 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2006

About the author

Lieutenant General Dave Richard Palmer is an American retired military officer, military historian and educational administrator. He served as Superintendent of the United States Military Academy at West Point 1986-1991.

Reviews

[David Eppenstein · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've read several books dealing with the lives of both of these men. While Mr.Palmer's book offers nothing particularly new about Washington (how could it considering how exhaustively his life has been examined?) it is the best treatment of Arnold I have read to date. This book chronicles Arnold's metamorphosis from selfless patriot hero to self-serving treacherous villain in vivid detail. Palmer also makes a convincing case for the complicity of Mrs. Arnold in the general's plot. I am hoping a recently purchased biography of Peggy Shippen will add detail to this accusation. For now, however, this book will rank at the top as an insight into the rise and fall of Benedict Arnold that more Americans need to be aware of. Arnold's rise and fall contains life lessons worth studying in depth.

[Rob McClintock · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very much enjoyed this dual comparison of both Washington and Arnold. I confess I did not know too much about Arnold's life until reading this. He truly was an aggressive military leader who had kept the fledgling Americans on the offense and disrupted the British. But this book was really an expose on character - and this is how these two figures contrasted greatly. An interesting read but not too much in the weeds. The author gave us just enough to learn what was important. I wish the maps had been included up front in the book or interspersed throughout. I did not realize there were maps in the back and it would have helped to have these visuals as you read the book. Definitely enjoyable and worth the time to review. It is still a remarkable story of how the American colonists overthrew the British, against all odds, and this book only further emphasizes that.

[Susan Jane · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a great read for any history lover! I really enjoyed this one🙌🏻

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'll admit it now that this book is read; my goal this year is to read a book about each of the presidents. What a wonky thing to do, eh? It started last presidential election cycle, when I (and many others) wondered if the Current Occupant would be rated as among the top five worst ever. How will I know without looking at the other contestants to that ignominious race?

Because of the sheer number of books on Washington, it was difficult to pick a book. However, it was very useful to my cause to compare these two men with a large number of situational similarities for the qualities that ended up differentiating them so completely. As the author points out somewhat mercilessly at the end, it is all down to character. The most surprising fact I discovered about the often inscrutable Washington is that he had a violent temper, same as Benedict Arnold. However, through sheer determination, he mastered his anger through the old-fashioned exercise of temperance, or the self-discipline to control passions.

While Washington's military expertise is widely appreciated, Arnold was a brilliant military leader who even earned the title "America's Hannibal. It is popularly held among military scholars that the Revolutionary War might not have been won at all if not for Arnold's early battle successes. But, Arnold's fiery temper caused him to duel many men over the protection of his "honor," and his inability to be patient through the many provocations of individuals or groups such as the Continental Congress led him to plot revenge and value only monetary gain rather than the lives of his fellow soldiers and citizens.

One of the things most grieved by Washington historians was the decision by George and Martha to burn a great number of their personal papers while on his death bed. An important component of his humanity went up in smoke, and so he is destined to remain a legendary hero without the normal human foibles. Still, we can tell much about anyone by the outward acts. As quoted in the book, Len Marella, who wrote a book on ethical leadership that says:
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.

I may be able to stop reading now with a sufficient answer to my original query, but I'm having too much fun. I would appreciate references for any of the other presidents for a good read, especially for the more obscure ones.

[Lauretta · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very interesting, and easy to read contrast between Washington and Arnold. Although there were no footnotes, sources, or bibliography, it was filled with facts conveyed in such a way to make them highly interesting and easy to remember. The author had fun pointing out the irony that surrounded the events and people involved, making history engaging. I've read at least three biographies on Benedict Arnold, each filled with sources and footnotes, and didn't enjoy any of those near as much as this book!

[Patrick · Rating 5 out of 5]

I know what you’re thinking. Why is Benedict Arnold’s name shared with George Washington’s in the title of this book as a patriot? Before his name became synonymous with treachery, he WAS a patriot.

Washington and Arnold shared a talent for leadership. Both were successful in business, Washington in agriculture and Arnold in shipping, which well served the latter as the commander of ships during the war to achieve major battlefield AND naval victories. Intrepid and impetuous, Arnold would become known as the American Hannibal.

Unfortunately, his flaws ultimately precipitated his crash. Arnold, obsessed with standing out among the rest of his class, frequently dueled over perceived slights. During a battle, a slug shattered his leg. During a long, painful convalescence, he brooded over social injuries, including an idiotic dispute over his rank. Through it all, Washington held him esteem, and entreated him to return to command. By now, Arnold decided to make up for his losses in nefarious ways. He wangled a soft appointment at West Point, a crucial location under American control, but coveted by the British, in order to effect a take-over. The bungled outcome, equal parts tragic and comic, turned an esteemed name into an evil epithet.

At this moment, the American colonies stood at the brink of losing everything. The War for Independence was underfunded, underfed, undermanned. The news of this treason should have disheartened the troops, particularly those who had fought under him. Instead, “Benedict Arnold managed to do what no one else had. He revitalized the Revolution.” In short time, Arnold became the “overnight star of effigy burnings.” A grateful Washington stated, “In no instance since the commencement of the war has the interposition of Providence appeared more conspicuous than in the rescue of the post and garrison of West Point from Arnold’s villainous perfidy.”

You know the rest of the story: Although George Washington fathered no children, his name lives on, “carried proudly by American boys generation after generation.” Arnold sired nine offspring, but I defy you to find anyone named after him. The supreme irony is that, for all his preening, he turned a once esteemed name into an epithet.

[Mark Pasquini · Rating 5 out of 5]

The best tactician and the best strategist of the Revolution were friends and admirers of each other. Though both had fierce tempers, Arnold let his fly at those he felt deserved the edge of his tongue. Washington tried to protect him from his enemies, but failed. Arnold, as the general who nearly took Quebec after a hellish march through the Maine wilderness, held up Burgoyne for a year on Lake Champlain, stopped St. Leger in the Mohawk Valley and led the counter-attack against Burgoyne at Saratoga, despite being relieved of his command and ordered to stay in his tent. He suffered wounds and spent his treasure for the Revolution and felt he was ignored and belittled. Unfortunately, rather than retire, he turned traitor. This is a great book on a pair of men who fought for the ungrateful colonies and went different ways. Recommended.

[Sue · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting read on the character of two of the most famous/infamous men of the Revolutionary War. Palmer isn't shy in taking on Benedict Arnold--a person reviled in American history. I enjoyed hearing about Arnold's early successes and about Palmer's opinion of why Arnold turned again the Revolution and against Washington.

In discussing Washington Palmer also focuses on his early successes, his failures and frustrations with the Continental Congress. Then compares the different reactions to the two men to similar situations. Washington stayed the course and became an even more loved and respected leader while Arnold became a traitor.

This is a book that is definitely worth the read. I will look into more books on Arnold.

[Jdetrick · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story of George Washington is well known, but the true story of Benedict Arnold is less so. Like many Americans, I grew up knowing the name, but never really knowing the specifics. This book does a great job in distilling his life during the Revolutionary War down to a digestible chunk, and while I'm not sure comparing and contrasting him with Washington is necessary, I'm sure Washington would have by necessity been a large part of the story anyway, so why not? Incredibly readable and enjoyable.

[Kelsey Kurtinitis · Rating 5 out of 5]

I admittedly knew little about Benedict Arnold prior to reading this book (aside from the obvious), and I greatly enjoyed the side-by-side character analysis and contrast between Arnold and Washington.

I can never read enough about the birth of America and its great cast of characters. I thoroughly enjoyed this well-written book.

[Martin Petersen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a twin character study of Washington and Arnold. It takes you from their childhoods through their great success together to Arnolds's treason. The focus is on the man and not the battles each fought, and the slow rot that was at the center of Arnold. If I have a wish, it would be for a better set of maps in the book to help the reader with the story.

[Patricia · Rating 1 out of 5]

This was dull as dust. There’s a real need out there for a great biography of Benedict Arnold. This isn’t it.

[Leanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was very well written. It held my attention on a subject I never thought to be interesting, American history.

[Jon Gautier · Rating 2 out of 5]

A nice telling of the stories of the two men, not an essential read, but a good one. Ultimately not memorable

[Michael R · Rating 5 out of 5]

Much i did not know. Btw armold was hell on wheels

[David Rogers · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's rather a sad story. Had Benedict Arnold died in 1778 he would have gone down as one of the great military generals of the Revolutionary War. But his erratic, selfish nature did him in. It was also interesting to read about the backstabbing and pettiness that existed back then. Not much has changed. At its core the book was about two people with very different character traits. While Washington is all but deified by Americans, Benedict Arnold's courage in the beginning of the War was overshadowed by his irascible and corruptible personality. While Washington was motivated by what was right, Arnold was motivated by greed and what would benefit him. It was hard not to draw comparisons between Washington and Arnold and our current US President.

[Philip Cosand]

This is a nice enough introduction to Arnold and Washington.

Most of what I know about Washington comes from passed-down cultural knowledge and Washington's Spies (look up book).

I had no idea that Arnold was such a daredevil. I didn't know that he was a brilliant and bold fighter. I certainly didn't know that he was a brilliant businessman and widely respected. Y'know, before that whole betrayal thing.

Palmer does a solid job of setting up the two main characters, telling you just enough about the supporting players so that you grasp their role, if not their entire lives.

The main complaint I have with the book is Palmer's angle. For one thing, he approaches it with a military mind. Given his past, that is entirely understandable. But he is quick to judge this action or that based on what he thinks is an intelligent battle plan. I am sure that he knows those areas better than I, and is more qualified to judge, but the commentary is often unnecessary.

To a greater degree, he tries to tell us that he has special insight into others' minds, especially with Arnold. He "must have thought" this or "surely" he did that. He comes out and says that no one knows. Then he repeatedly injects his assumptions into what is supposed to be an historical text. I can comprehend trying to give the two men personalities, His desire to paint a certain picture takes this book too close to fiction on several occasions.

The last chapter of the book is completely out of place. "Character" reads like a chapter out of a psychology textbook. He ventures from telling how battles occurred to judging and weighing how a solider should be. It is unneeded, jarring, and an odd way to sum up a book unless you are looking tp apply to West Point.

Regardless, the book is a nice introductory text. He sets up two soldiers that I knew nothing about and fills me in on the important moment of history that I was ignorant about. His style is not what I prefer, but I can hardly question his expertise.

[John Hanson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed the read. I am an American expat and have had much less American history in my schooling than the typical American does. I also live in Canadian the city Benedict Arnold moved to. I regularly visit the Second Cup coffee shop next door to where his home sat. I soaked in this book.

I am bothered by a couple of points. Mr. Palmer takes the typical American stance that Arnold is an evil, American traitor. His text reads rather neutral, until the late stages, and he actually devotes more print to Arnold than Washington. At least Arnold's story is more interesting. Everybody knows Washington's story ad nauseum. Palmer also omits Arnold's 'Letter To The Inhabitants Of America.' This is an important substance which are Arnold's own words on why he left: opposition to French, unnecessary fighting after Great Briton offered her open arms (Palmer never mentions any peace salvos), and "because Fellow Subjects were considered as our Foes?" Scant examination of his mind, largely I fear because Palmer didn't want to dig any deeper lest he find evidence Arnold had just cause. I don't know if Arnold did, and I seriously doubt he ever thought through his motivations. I fear he was blinded by action and prejudice as so many strong type A's tend to be. Sorry type A's, but I am a strong type B and you are all messed up in my mind *grin*

[Laura Stahl · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great read! I read this about 3 years ago. It is fascinating to read about the friendship between these two men. I didn't know anything about Arnold before reading this. I was unaware of why he became a traitor. And, to be honest, I can empathize with his anger. It's got to be difficult to be responsible for so many lives, yet the government can't or won't provide for their needs. Given the times, I can understand the government's very limited funds. Yet, I can see how Arnold became disenchanted with his purpose ... especially when you know he used his own money for provisions ... and became so angry he lost common sense and turned on this country. I will read this book again! It is that well written and informative.

[Bernard Goldbach · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed Dave Palmer's treatment of both Arnold and Washington. Previously, the most I knew about Washington came from touring Mount Vernon and the most I heard about Arnold concerned his traitorous acts. Palmer shows Arnold's daredevil side along with his brilliant and bold fighting spirit. I appreciated reading about Benedict Arnold's astute business sense and how he enjoyed great respect i his community. I certainly didn't know that he was a brilliant businessman and widely respected. Y'know, before that whole betrayal thing. The lives of both Washington and Arnold bear profound witness to the proposition that character is destiny.

[Joe · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a most appropriate read for anyone interested in learning about, not just these two patriots, the story of our country before and during our quest for independence. Dave Palmer lays out the events and places in a way that kept me craving to know and understand what comes next and why. The book climaxes with the details of Arnold's treason and how he lived after his deception became evident to all. The words describing the unparalleled leader, George Washington, are superb and left me with a strong sense of pride and deference.

[David Orphal · Rating 4 out of 5]

First off, the bad news. The Audible version of this book is not very good. Lots of strange skips, hiccups, and short passages reread. Audible needs to reedit this product.

Now the good news. Great book. While there's not a lot of new information about either Washington or Arnold in the book, the approach of looking at the careers of these two men in parallel is interesting and refreshing.

The author also does a great job at the end of the book looking at how each of these men embodies the idea of "character." It was a very satisfying way to wrap up the narrative.

[Betty Ann Baer · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is an amazing book that I learned so much history from. I found out the war between England and the colonies began in 1776. It went for 4 years. Arnold fought diligently for the US but was picked on by other soldiers that were jealous of him or didn't like his style. The author made it feel like the US treated him poorly and he became so mad that he became a traitor right at the very end of the war.

[Ken · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very well written book. The author is not necessarily giving historical facts here as much as he is using history to show how certain events can lead two different men to very different destinies. He really sums it up excellently at the end with a befitting quote about character. This is a remarkably well written book.

[Sarah]

I didn't even finish this book and I don't even think I can rate it. I was disturbed not to find any source material listed. I also was disappointed when I found that it was more a history of of the Revolution with bits of Washington and Arnold's personal stories, instead of the reverse. Not a great book for someone who is serious about research.

[Michelle Brooksby · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was extremely interesting because of where I live. So much of the Revolutionary War was fought close by me and I'm familiar with their locations. I also learned much more than I'd ever known before about Benedict Arnold. Though what he did was wrong, after reading the book one can see how he might have felt justified in what he was doing.

[John · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fine, fine story of Benedict Arnold, and how he came to become the most notorious traitor in US history. I never knew what a military genius he was, nor how Congress completely screwed him over. While not justifying his behavior, the context around his life was eye-opening and educational. I enjoyed it very much!

[Emily · Rating 3 out of 5]

An excellent jumping off point -- well written, and gives a good overview of Washington & Arnold's lives. However, a bit fast with facts -- I should say: it doesn't document many of its claims, so I'm a bit skeptical of where the conclusions are coming from.

[Brad Hart · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was an interesting book. Unfortunately, I was expecting a little more out of it. There was nothing new in terms of historical significance that came as a result of this book. The author just recounts the same story that has been told for a long time. It is entertaining at least.

[Sara · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is absolutely fantastic. The parallels between these two great men are amazing. Many people think they know the story of Washington and Arnold because of what they may have learned in History class but this book takes it to another level.