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Benedict Arnold: Patriot and Traitor
The famous traitor's first modern biography unearths new evidence explaining why this successful general changed sides, and analyzes his agonized career as a patriot and soldier
256 pages, Hardcover
First published May 15, 2012
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583 people want to read
About the author
Willard Sterne Randall
44 books70 followersWillard Sterne Randall is an American historian and author who specializes in biographies related to the American colonial period and the American Revolution. He teaches American history at Champlain College in Burlington, Vermont.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 56 reviews
December 14, 2023
This is a book that opened my eyes to the life of an amazing character in our history. All any of us know about Benedict Arnold is that he was a traitor to our country. After reading this book I, as a criminal lawyer, would have loved to defend him from this charge. Arnold was our American tragic hero who rose to the top only to be pulled down by the treachery of politics and the weakness of conviction. The details of Arnold's life should be read and studied by every American as there is so much to be learned. Was he a traitor or was he in such despair of the fate of the American people being ruled by corrupt politicians if the Revolution was won? This biography will have you wondering.
July 21, 2020
I wish I would have read this book up to Arnold's dramatic charge at Saratoga where Arnold was wounded a second time in defense of this nation and then thrown it away. Why? not because this book isn't accurate and well written but because it made me sick. Benedict Arnold stood to be one of the the greatest heroes to emerge from the Revolutionary War - second only to George Washington - but it was not to be and it breaks my heart. This is the third book on Benedict Arnold that I have read. This is really a pro-Arnold biography and it was the most effective at explaining why Arnold committed treason. He was the best field commander of either side. It is too bad that Washington appointed Arnold as Military Governor of Philadelphia. This was a political position that Arnold was not best suited for and it led to his downfall. I like to remember the Arnold that conquered Ticonderoga or the Arnold that was wounded leading a charge at the citadel of Quebec City or the swashbuckling Arnold that built a Navy to defend Lake Champlain against all odds, etc.
After Arnold's invasion of Canada, Governor Carleton triumphantly announced to London that he cleared the last American rebel out of Quebec. The response from the secretary of state: "I am sorry that you did not get Arnold, for of all the Americans, he is the most enterprising and dangerous."
In the end, Arnold would get himself. It is interesting to note that he lived out his life in relative infamy moving between Canada and England. He was not particularly well liked or trusted by the British patriarchy. All of Arnold's sons from his first marriage as well as the sons that were bore by Peggy Shippen served in the officer corps of the British Empire.
After Arnold's invasion of Canada, Governor Carleton triumphantly announced to London that he cleared the last American rebel out of Quebec. The response from the secretary of state: "I am sorry that you did not get Arnold, for of all the Americans, he is the most enterprising and dangerous."
In the end, Arnold would get himself. It is interesting to note that he lived out his life in relative infamy moving between Canada and England. He was not particularly well liked or trusted by the British patriarchy. All of Arnold's sons from his first marriage as well as the sons that were bore by Peggy Shippen served in the officer corps of the British Empire.
January 30, 2010
Arnold was one of the most aggressive officers in the Continental Army. Ready to go to battle at the drop of a hat. He took Fort Ticonderoga very early in the war, captured a British warship and re-named it the Enterprise, won the Battle of Saratoga (although Gates took credit for it) and was badly injured. In return, his country failed to pay him his salary for four years of service, refused to reimburse him for expenses that he covered out of his own pocket, promoted more junior officers over him, and then attacked him on corruption charges when he was made military governor of Pennsylvania. Is it any wonder this man considered switching sides? On the other hand, there were other officers, including Washington who were similarly if not as severely treated by their fledgling government, that did not betray their country. And Arnold might not have either had he not fell in love with a woman with decidedly loyalist leanings and perhaps an intimate connection with a young British officer whose career she might have liked to assist as well as that of her future husband. Randall has done a creditable job of straigtening out what previously was a rather "crooked" record of Benedict Arnold's place in history.
April 27, 2022
As the subtitle of this book suggests, Benedict Arnold was both a patriot and a traitor. That is Willard Sterne Randall's thesis as he proceeds to paint Arnold in a somewhat different light than what history has bestowed upon him. The conventional wisdom in American history textbooks and legend is that Arnold was a Judas, a traitor who played turncoat to join the redcoats, a man who sold out to the British because his ego wasn't gratified and his wallet wasn't enlarged by his service in George Washington's Revolutionary Army. I found all of that to be true. But I also found it to not be the complete picture; the truth - as it frequently can be - is more nuanced than that.
Arnold grew up in Connecticut, and made himself rather wealthy with a profitable trading and merchant business. He spent long periods each year sailing back and forth between Canada and the Caribbean islands. Arnold had a quick temper and violent disposition as well though, becoming fully immersed in the budding Revolutionary cause in 1775. Despite constantly striving, he never quite achieved that top echelon of command, belatedly rising to the rank of Major General not too long before committing his treasonous actions. Rank was a huge issue with Arnold: he made enemies easily, especially in the Continental Congress, and he was repeatedly passed over for promotion despite leading gallant campaigns into upstate New York to capture cannons, then into Quebec in an attempt to take Montreal, and then against the British at Fort Ticonderoga.
Severely wounded twice in his leg (and actually a third time if you count when a horse fell on him), Arnold somehow saved his leg by refusing to allow an amputation and kept returning to active service despite the pain. Embroiled in a long-running financial feud with Congress, and facing multiple court-martials over his behavior in battle and command, Arnold was appointed military governor of Philadelphia by Washington, and again ran into trouble as he tried to enrich himself by engaging in cloak-and-dagger merchant operations.
Arnold, having had enough of being harassed by Congress, by other generals (especially Thomas Gates), and then finally by citizens as he attempted to treat both the Patriots and the Loyalists in Philadelphia evenly, turned toward attempting to defect to the British. He engaged in a long correspondence with British Major John Andre in an attempt to turn over West Point (and possibly Washington himself at one point) along with all intelligence that he had to the British in exchange for twenty thousand pounds. His plot was foiled, Andre was captured and hanged as a spy, and Arnold escaped to the British where he lived out the remainder of his life in frustration.
Randall does a service here by showing that Arnold, for a long time, really was a patriot. He put his life on the line multiple times, was seriously wounded and easily could have died about a dozen times fighting for the American side. In fact, it's really a miracle that he didn't die. The man was pugnacious if nothing else. He spent most of his fortune on expenses that should have been reimbursed to his by Congress. Indeed, his treatment by Congress was abysmal. Several members, John Adams prominent among them, didn't want to pay Arnold simply because they didn't like him. Granted, he did not seem easy to like. Nonetheless, Arnold often did submit proper receipts for items but Congress ignored his evidence. He was even denied a salary as a commissioned officer.
The writing is fine, although not always crisp. Some spots could have used a bit more editing. Witness this sentence from page 218: "With him were his Kennebec veterans Greene and Bigelow, his veteran officers from the Kennebec." Or on page 456, when the story is in May 1779, he writes that Lord Stansbury was thirty years-old at the time, but then in the next paragraph says that Stansbury was born in 1740. My math is not great, but something is off there. One other item I noticed is that on page 452, Randall says that Arnold "admired as a father" Washington. This came as news to me since Randall showed them to have a positive professional relationship, but hardly something that intimate. Also, if Arnold really admired Washington himself that much, then why would he, unprompted, later give the British advance knowledge of Washington's movements in the hope that he would be captured?
Randall makes a convincing case for a reassessment of Arnold. He was mistreated. There were many missed opportunities where either Congress or other generals or even citizens could have treated Arnold in a just and fair manner, and thus probably prevented his later treason. I appreciate Randall not tacking to the familiar mantra that Arnold was this rotten scoundrel. He did help people, and not always for personal gain. And he was gallant in a military sense. Without Arnold's actions at Fort Ticonderoga, the war may have ended quite differently.
Yet, I do think he goes too far over towards making Arnold somewhat of a martyr. Yes, the story did get darker as it went along, because Arnold himself got darker mentally. But, instead of committing treason, he could have simply resigned his commission and went home to Connecticut. Or he could have tried a different tact in how he dealt with people. Or he could have tried to avoid befriending people who were known Loyalists. Or he could have not married his second wife, Peggy, half his age and allow her to influence him into defecting because her family was aligned with the British. Or he could have stopped trying to hatch schemes to make himself rich while also serving in the military. He could have done any of those things, but he did not. Instead, he chose to switch sides. And, incredibly, he expected red carpet treatment by the British. He did not seem to ever stop and wonder how the British themselves would view his actions. Did he ever think that, by announcing himself in effect a traitor, and attaching a price tag to his defection, that many in the British Army and Navy might think twice before becoming friendly with him and trusting him?
The conclusion that I came to is that Arnold did not deserve his shabby treatment by the Americans. But he did deserve the guarded, somewhat hostile treatment that he later received from the British, especially once he moved to London, and later to Canada. One thing that Arnold was obsessed with and spent almost three decades fighting for was his reputation. And it was the one thing that he himself did the most to destroy.
Grade: B
Arnold grew up in Connecticut, and made himself rather wealthy with a profitable trading and merchant business. He spent long periods each year sailing back and forth between Canada and the Caribbean islands. Arnold had a quick temper and violent disposition as well though, becoming fully immersed in the budding Revolutionary cause in 1775. Despite constantly striving, he never quite achieved that top echelon of command, belatedly rising to the rank of Major General not too long before committing his treasonous actions. Rank was a huge issue with Arnold: he made enemies easily, especially in the Continental Congress, and he was repeatedly passed over for promotion despite leading gallant campaigns into upstate New York to capture cannons, then into Quebec in an attempt to take Montreal, and then against the British at Fort Ticonderoga.
Severely wounded twice in his leg (and actually a third time if you count when a horse fell on him), Arnold somehow saved his leg by refusing to allow an amputation and kept returning to active service despite the pain. Embroiled in a long-running financial feud with Congress, and facing multiple court-martials over his behavior in battle and command, Arnold was appointed military governor of Philadelphia by Washington, and again ran into trouble as he tried to enrich himself by engaging in cloak-and-dagger merchant operations.
Arnold, having had enough of being harassed by Congress, by other generals (especially Thomas Gates), and then finally by citizens as he attempted to treat both the Patriots and the Loyalists in Philadelphia evenly, turned toward attempting to defect to the British. He engaged in a long correspondence with British Major John Andre in an attempt to turn over West Point (and possibly Washington himself at one point) along with all intelligence that he had to the British in exchange for twenty thousand pounds. His plot was foiled, Andre was captured and hanged as a spy, and Arnold escaped to the British where he lived out the remainder of his life in frustration.
Randall does a service here by showing that Arnold, for a long time, really was a patriot. He put his life on the line multiple times, was seriously wounded and easily could have died about a dozen times fighting for the American side. In fact, it's really a miracle that he didn't die. The man was pugnacious if nothing else. He spent most of his fortune on expenses that should have been reimbursed to his by Congress. Indeed, his treatment by Congress was abysmal. Several members, John Adams prominent among them, didn't want to pay Arnold simply because they didn't like him. Granted, he did not seem easy to like. Nonetheless, Arnold often did submit proper receipts for items but Congress ignored his evidence. He was even denied a salary as a commissioned officer.
The writing is fine, although not always crisp. Some spots could have used a bit more editing. Witness this sentence from page 218: "With him were his Kennebec veterans Greene and Bigelow, his veteran officers from the Kennebec." Or on page 456, when the story is in May 1779, he writes that Lord Stansbury was thirty years-old at the time, but then in the next paragraph says that Stansbury was born in 1740. My math is not great, but something is off there. One other item I noticed is that on page 452, Randall says that Arnold "admired as a father" Washington. This came as news to me since Randall showed them to have a positive professional relationship, but hardly something that intimate. Also, if Arnold really admired Washington himself that much, then why would he, unprompted, later give the British advance knowledge of Washington's movements in the hope that he would be captured?
Randall makes a convincing case for a reassessment of Arnold. He was mistreated. There were many missed opportunities where either Congress or other generals or even citizens could have treated Arnold in a just and fair manner, and thus probably prevented his later treason. I appreciate Randall not tacking to the familiar mantra that Arnold was this rotten scoundrel. He did help people, and not always for personal gain. And he was gallant in a military sense. Without Arnold's actions at Fort Ticonderoga, the war may have ended quite differently.
Yet, I do think he goes too far over towards making Arnold somewhat of a martyr. Yes, the story did get darker as it went along, because Arnold himself got darker mentally. But, instead of committing treason, he could have simply resigned his commission and went home to Connecticut. Or he could have tried a different tact in how he dealt with people. Or he could have tried to avoid befriending people who were known Loyalists. Or he could have not married his second wife, Peggy, half his age and allow her to influence him into defecting because her family was aligned with the British. Or he could have stopped trying to hatch schemes to make himself rich while also serving in the military. He could have done any of those things, but he did not. Instead, he chose to switch sides. And, incredibly, he expected red carpet treatment by the British. He did not seem to ever stop and wonder how the British themselves would view his actions. Did he ever think that, by announcing himself in effect a traitor, and attaching a price tag to his defection, that many in the British Army and Navy might think twice before becoming friendly with him and trusting him?
The conclusion that I came to is that Arnold did not deserve his shabby treatment by the Americans. But he did deserve the guarded, somewhat hostile treatment that he later received from the British, especially once he moved to London, and later to Canada. One thing that Arnold was obsessed with and spent almost three decades fighting for was his reputation. And it was the one thing that he himself did the most to destroy.
Grade: B
September 7, 2017
One of the BEST books I've ever read on the American Revolution. Benedict Arnold was, without a doubt, the best general America ever produced(including G Washington-who was not a very good tactician in comparison.)-and the most maligned by a peevish, jealous , spiteful Congress. Many generals and officers of the Continental Army were openly spiteful and jealous of Arnold's abilities and achievements. The majority of fault, however, lay with Congress-who refused to pay him, constantly refused to repay what he put forward from his own treasure to feed and pay his troops, destroyed his finances and accused him of every kind of unfounded crime. No wonder he turned.
This is a book that will never leave my personal library. Willard Randall has written a masterpiece of American History.
This is a book that will never leave my personal library. Willard Randall has written a masterpiece of American History.
July 28, 2018
Brace yourself for feels. A LOT of feels.
The narrative is really long and detailed and it can be hard to stay focused, so take it slow if you can. To be fair, this is a really complicated story and there is a lot you have to make sense of. I have read two other Arnold biographies and this one was superior to either of them, even without illustrations. For the first time, I really got a sense of appreciation for the march on Quebec and the naval battle at Valcour Island. Randall writes really detailed action scenes that take you into the heat of the battles. The feats that Benedict Arnold performed for the American side were nothing short of incredible and heroic. Admittedly, I had a hard time not skimming the text after Arnold went to Philadelphia in 1778 because I KNEW what was coming next. Randall includes very gut-wrenching, personal details about his subject. After reading the first chapter alone I was shocked and amazed. Randall describes in detail the time Arnold spent as military governor in Philadelphia and how much stress he was under, and why this contributed to his defection. You get very intimate information about Arnold's fall and treason, a sense of just how twisted and corrupt his deeds were. Just sickening. Although the final chapter of his life after the revolution is short it is treated with as much detail and respect as the rest of the text. Overall a masterpiece. A volume to be savored.
The narrative is really long and detailed and it can be hard to stay focused, so take it slow if you can. To be fair, this is a really complicated story and there is a lot you have to make sense of. I have read two other Arnold biographies and this one was superior to either of them, even without illustrations. For the first time, I really got a sense of appreciation for the march on Quebec and the naval battle at Valcour Island. Randall writes really detailed action scenes that take you into the heat of the battles. The feats that Benedict Arnold performed for the American side were nothing short of incredible and heroic. Admittedly, I had a hard time not skimming the text after Arnold went to Philadelphia in 1778 because I KNEW what was coming next. Randall includes very gut-wrenching, personal details about his subject. After reading the first chapter alone I was shocked and amazed. Randall describes in detail the time Arnold spent as military governor in Philadelphia and how much stress he was under, and why this contributed to his defection. You get very intimate information about Arnold's fall and treason, a sense of just how twisted and corrupt his deeds were. Just sickening. Although the final chapter of his life after the revolution is short it is treated with as much detail and respect as the rest of the text. Overall a masterpiece. A volume to be savored.
January 27, 2008
Randall writes a comprehensive account of the most famous American traitor's life. The writing is good, though the depth of details Randall provides can slow things down at times. Learning of all of Arnold's contributions to the American cause also makes this a difficult read because at some point you know you have to prepare for a terrible let down. However, Randall also shows us that the treachery that comes later in Arnold's life, does have some justification, as he was a victim of some pretty shady dealings.
August 31, 2016
Last sentence! What the hell!?
I don't....
Alright, calm down. In all my historical studies, Benedict Arnold was simply put as the consummate traitor. And, for some reason, I didn't question that. I can't totally blame him anymore.
The book was beautifully researched and very readable. Fully two thirds are about Benedict being an amazing patriot and the last bit showing how he KEPT getting screwed over. I'm not gonna call the man innocent, but there was a lotta bad going on here.
Read-wise: It took me a long time to read this but I think it was because of the sheer amount of information. It was readable, the print wasn't overwhelmingly small... There was just so much to ingest. The last 150 pages took the least amount of time, I think, because it wasn't arguable territory. There was no defense of treachery involved, just the aftermath. Of course, that made it the hardest part for me to read. I'd never realized, though I should have, how much of a patriot and effective soldier he was.
I'm so glad I found this book.
I don't....
Alright, calm down. In all my historical studies, Benedict Arnold was simply put as the consummate traitor. And, for some reason, I didn't question that. I can't totally blame him anymore.
The book was beautifully researched and very readable. Fully two thirds are about Benedict being an amazing patriot and the last bit showing how he KEPT getting screwed over. I'm not gonna call the man innocent, but there was a lotta bad going on here.
Read-wise: It took me a long time to read this but I think it was because of the sheer amount of information. It was readable, the print wasn't overwhelmingly small... There was just so much to ingest. The last 150 pages took the least amount of time, I think, because it wasn't arguable territory. There was no defense of treachery involved, just the aftermath. Of course, that made it the hardest part for me to read. I'd never realized, though I should have, how much of a patriot and effective soldier he was.
I'm so glad I found this book.
December 31, 2013
The name of Benedict Arnold is most commonly associated with infamy. He is one of America's most villainous traitors and even calling someone by his name is considered to be insult over 200 years later. School children are taught about the treacherous actions of Benedict so that it seems that he is a one dimensional character who is almost non-human. It turns out that the story of Arnold is more complicated than the history channel or high school text books let on; before he was engaged in perfidy he was a patriot. Arnold is actually a sad story about a man who made some poor decisions and ended up committing an unforgivable act of treason against the country of his origin. Randall crafts an immensely detailed account of the winding road that took Arnold from the status of hero to being one America's most hated turncoats. What I found in this book certainly challenged previous notions and perspectives that I had about Arnold and while I still strongly disapprove of his actions, I cannot say that I don't understand. Randall really puts the color into this story by letting you see Arnold's world without jumping to conclusions or making big assumptions. There are several stories that are ignored or misconstrued among the Revolutionary generation and this one is certainly among them.
The story of Benedict Arnold is as American as Apple Pie in that his family came to this country to make a better life. He was born into a pious mother and to an industrious Father who was intent on raising the station of the Arnold family. Arnold grew up to become a good businessman before the war, married and had three boys with his wife who he ended up losing during the war. When the American Revolution broke out Arnold was quick to get involved because he wanted to defend his country like many others. Randall argues persuasively that Arnold is a misunderstood character who was one of the great minds of the American Revolution; a mind not fully appreciated or utilized by congress or his superiors. He was a man who was persistently scrutinized, passed over, distrusted, and mistreated by the people that he attempted to serve. Arnold was a man of exceptional ability who was never recognized for his military prowess in the botched Canadian expedition. He had his share of failures even though they were often not his fault; if compared to Washington they are certainly no worse. He had to work with difficult partners, harsh circumstances, ill-trained men, bad equipment, and ambitious leaders such as himself seeking to carve out a legacy. He seemed at times to be vain, arrogant, hot-tempered, and severely lacking in good people skills. At the same time he was smart, efficient, industrious, innovative, and seemed to have a genuine concern for the men who served under his command. He inspired people with his leadership and was one of the unsung heroes in the battle of Saratoga that served as a turning point for the war.
Arnold certainly was not the only person to lose his money in the war, and he was not the only one to experience real loss. Nevertheless, his business suffered dramatically through the early course of the war and the wounds he sustained to his leg left him permanently marked. Congress tended to "drag its leg" in paying Arnold back for the personal money that he spent during the expeditions that he completed for the American people. For a man who appears to be trying to get a head, it is easy to see how he would become frustrated over the persistent suspicions and setbacks that threatened to sully his reputation at all times. It is not hard to imagine how it would be possible for him to be tempted to defect to a side who he thought would appreciate his skill set as well as devotion. Arnold began a dark career with shady business deals that he conducted while serving as governor of Pennsylvania where he became a little too cozy with the loyalists. After marrying a loyalist girl he all but sealed the deal which led him to do some unthinkable things that include attempting to trap George Washington and his entire staff at Peekskill!He was almost able to accomplish this goal but in a remarkable twist of fate Washington, Knox, Hamilton, and Lafayette made it out unharmed.
There were some areas that there could have been solid improvement where the book is concerned. As some of the other reviewers have stated there were grammatical issues in the kindle edition which were at best a distraction. One reviewer mentions that there were points of confusion due to grammatical errors but those must have been fixed because I never encountered any. The author is biased towards his subject and while he recognizes that he made a mistake he seems to make a lot of excuses for Benedict Arnold tending to blame most of the situations on others without thinking about Arnold's role. I have no doubt that Arnold had some trying circumstances that placed him at a disadvantage with others. However, when a man spends so much time under suspicion it raises questions about what kind of person evokes so much distrust. I got the impression that his fondness for the genius of Arnold may have clouded his view of Arnold's failures. There were also points where I felt clarity would have been welcome and specifically in the relationship that existed between Arnold and Washington. Randall paints a portrait of a solid friendship between the two men and it seems that more than often it was Washington who came to Arnold's rescue. There was a cooling between the two men but obviously it was not extremely cool because Washington was willing to put West Pointe into Arnold's care. What was Arnold thinking when he attempted to turn Washington over to the British as they would have hung him? I wish he would have explored this issue at little more and cut out on some of the military maneuvers as they often made the book long and laborious.
Overall, I can't complain about the book in that it was well written, it was researched meticulously, and it certainly gave me a better appreciation for the role that Arnold played in the war. He was a traitor to America's most beloved general and so this automatically puts him into the category of a Brutus or worse a Judas. At the end of the day Arnold was just an ambitious man who was trying to forge his way into history and did it the wrong way. He certainly paid for his mistakes as he never again found a place where he ever felt at home. He was a hero of the American Revolution who deserves to be acknowledged for the accomplishments that he achieved in better days of his life. I appreciate that Randall explored the personality and issues with General Gates as some historians tend to give Gates a free pass and blame Washington's vanity for Gates being sidelined in the war. I think that Randall's interpretation made a lot better sense and the reason why Washington treated him as a threat was because he actually kind of was a threat. The book had a strong bibliography and the author is certainly someone who knows his way around a history book. I liked the book well enough that I am reading the author's book on George Washington as well. Perhaps some of the grammatical problems would not be an issue if there was a better publisher handling the distribution. The author also included visual aids to demonstrate strategies that were used but I tend to find myself uninterested in military strategy and more interested in the inner life of the subject. I would recommend this book but be prepared for a long journey because while it is interesting it is not an easy read.
The story of Benedict Arnold is as American as Apple Pie in that his family came to this country to make a better life. He was born into a pious mother and to an industrious Father who was intent on raising the station of the Arnold family. Arnold grew up to become a good businessman before the war, married and had three boys with his wife who he ended up losing during the war. When the American Revolution broke out Arnold was quick to get involved because he wanted to defend his country like many others. Randall argues persuasively that Arnold is a misunderstood character who was one of the great minds of the American Revolution; a mind not fully appreciated or utilized by congress or his superiors. He was a man who was persistently scrutinized, passed over, distrusted, and mistreated by the people that he attempted to serve. Arnold was a man of exceptional ability who was never recognized for his military prowess in the botched Canadian expedition. He had his share of failures even though they were often not his fault; if compared to Washington they are certainly no worse. He had to work with difficult partners, harsh circumstances, ill-trained men, bad equipment, and ambitious leaders such as himself seeking to carve out a legacy. He seemed at times to be vain, arrogant, hot-tempered, and severely lacking in good people skills. At the same time he was smart, efficient, industrious, innovative, and seemed to have a genuine concern for the men who served under his command. He inspired people with his leadership and was one of the unsung heroes in the battle of Saratoga that served as a turning point for the war.
Arnold certainly was not the only person to lose his money in the war, and he was not the only one to experience real loss. Nevertheless, his business suffered dramatically through the early course of the war and the wounds he sustained to his leg left him permanently marked. Congress tended to "drag its leg" in paying Arnold back for the personal money that he spent during the expeditions that he completed for the American people. For a man who appears to be trying to get a head, it is easy to see how he would become frustrated over the persistent suspicions and setbacks that threatened to sully his reputation at all times. It is not hard to imagine how it would be possible for him to be tempted to defect to a side who he thought would appreciate his skill set as well as devotion. Arnold began a dark career with shady business deals that he conducted while serving as governor of Pennsylvania where he became a little too cozy with the loyalists. After marrying a loyalist girl he all but sealed the deal which led him to do some unthinkable things that include attempting to trap George Washington and his entire staff at Peekskill!He was almost able to accomplish this goal but in a remarkable twist of fate Washington, Knox, Hamilton, and Lafayette made it out unharmed.
There were some areas that there could have been solid improvement where the book is concerned. As some of the other reviewers have stated there were grammatical issues in the kindle edition which were at best a distraction. One reviewer mentions that there were points of confusion due to grammatical errors but those must have been fixed because I never encountered any. The author is biased towards his subject and while he recognizes that he made a mistake he seems to make a lot of excuses for Benedict Arnold tending to blame most of the situations on others without thinking about Arnold's role. I have no doubt that Arnold had some trying circumstances that placed him at a disadvantage with others. However, when a man spends so much time under suspicion it raises questions about what kind of person evokes so much distrust. I got the impression that his fondness for the genius of Arnold may have clouded his view of Arnold's failures. There were also points where I felt clarity would have been welcome and specifically in the relationship that existed between Arnold and Washington. Randall paints a portrait of a solid friendship between the two men and it seems that more than often it was Washington who came to Arnold's rescue. There was a cooling between the two men but obviously it was not extremely cool because Washington was willing to put West Pointe into Arnold's care. What was Arnold thinking when he attempted to turn Washington over to the British as they would have hung him? I wish he would have explored this issue at little more and cut out on some of the military maneuvers as they often made the book long and laborious.
Overall, I can't complain about the book in that it was well written, it was researched meticulously, and it certainly gave me a better appreciation for the role that Arnold played in the war. He was a traitor to America's most beloved general and so this automatically puts him into the category of a Brutus or worse a Judas. At the end of the day Arnold was just an ambitious man who was trying to forge his way into history and did it the wrong way. He certainly paid for his mistakes as he never again found a place where he ever felt at home. He was a hero of the American Revolution who deserves to be acknowledged for the accomplishments that he achieved in better days of his life. I appreciate that Randall explored the personality and issues with General Gates as some historians tend to give Gates a free pass and blame Washington's vanity for Gates being sidelined in the war. I think that Randall's interpretation made a lot better sense and the reason why Washington treated him as a threat was because he actually kind of was a threat. The book had a strong bibliography and the author is certainly someone who knows his way around a history book. I liked the book well enough that I am reading the author's book on George Washington as well. Perhaps some of the grammatical problems would not be an issue if there was a better publisher handling the distribution. The author also included visual aids to demonstrate strategies that were used but I tend to find myself uninterested in military strategy and more interested in the inner life of the subject. I would recommend this book but be prepared for a long journey because while it is interesting it is not an easy read.
October 17, 2016
A Talented Man Turned Traitor
This book is a very well written story of the most notorious traitor in American History. Arnold was an extraordinary warrior who, while supremely talented as a commander in both land and sea, was also possessed of an overage who which would prove to be his downfall.
The recounting of his leadership during the invasion of Canada is thoroughly detailed and truly expanded this reader's understanding of that little remembered campaign in 1775.
His command of the makeshift navy at Valcour Island on Lake Champlain the following summer have rise to one of the most gripping stories I've read as did the recounting of his leadership at the battle of Saratoga the following year.
Alas Arnold was soon to fall victim to his ego as he was forced to fight a court martial alleging malfeasance with government finds while at the same time being seduced by the decadence of Philadelphia society.
His decision to betray his country was so close to being successful that you have to wonder how history would have turned if not for an unfortunate choice of words by John Andre. We have a tendency to think of the American revolution as being a predestined fact when in reality it was a vicious civil war fought by relatively small military forces in the midst of an indifferent or undecided populace.
The period of time after Arnold's betrayal is also interesting reading. If not for his betrayal, Arnold would have gone into history as a great warrior of the American Revolution.
This book is well worth the time taken to read it and offers a well written, well researched portrayal of a truly enigmatic individual the traitor Benedict Arnold.
This book is a very well written story of the most notorious traitor in American History. Arnold was an extraordinary warrior who, while supremely talented as a commander in both land and sea, was also possessed of an overage who which would prove to be his downfall.
The recounting of his leadership during the invasion of Canada is thoroughly detailed and truly expanded this reader's understanding of that little remembered campaign in 1775.
His command of the makeshift navy at Valcour Island on Lake Champlain the following summer have rise to one of the most gripping stories I've read as did the recounting of his leadership at the battle of Saratoga the following year.
Alas Arnold was soon to fall victim to his ego as he was forced to fight a court martial alleging malfeasance with government finds while at the same time being seduced by the decadence of Philadelphia society.
His decision to betray his country was so close to being successful that you have to wonder how history would have turned if not for an unfortunate choice of words by John Andre. We have a tendency to think of the American revolution as being a predestined fact when in reality it was a vicious civil war fought by relatively small military forces in the midst of an indifferent or undecided populace.
The period of time after Arnold's betrayal is also interesting reading. If not for his betrayal, Arnold would have gone into history as a great warrior of the American Revolution.
This book is well worth the time taken to read it and offers a well written, well researched portrayal of a truly enigmatic individual the traitor Benedict Arnold.
February 18, 2023
First my quibble. A bit too much detail in the military history, since the subject of the book is Benedict Arnold. Now the praise.
Benedict Arnold is best known for his vicious turn against the American Revolution. His name is a synonym for betrayal, for total faithlessness. This book puts his turn from glorious heroism into the context of its time. The American revolutionaries were a ragtag group of rebels. The one thing that what became the United States was not was a country. What Benedict Arnold betrayed was a rebel movement. History being written by the victors, the U.S. is treated by many as a country as of July 4, 1776, not 1787 when the Constitution was written, or when George Washington took the oath of office in New York City on April 30, 1789.
Benedict Arnold was an undoubted hero from 1774 when he took up arms for the Revolution for a bit more than four years, when the betrayal started. The betrayal came to a head in September or October 1780 when he attempted to turn over West Point to John Andre, a British officer. During the "heroic" period he was grievously wounded not once but twice. He spearheaded an invasion of Quebec City from Maine that nearly took what is now Canada for the revolutionaries.
He and Ethan Allen are rivals for credit for seizing Fort Ticonderoga in 1775 and then helping win the crucial Battle of Saratoga in 1777. That battle, in turn, led directly to French and Dutch recognition and military and financial support for the Revolution. In short it is possible that "no Benedict Arnold, no United States." This is rarely remembered. In no way is Benedict Arnold another Vidkund Quisling, Pierre Laval or Julius or Ethel Rosenberg.
The "thanks" he got from the Continental Congress and corrupt military leaders was to go unpaid, unthanked and passed over for credit and promotion. He advanced considerable resources to pay soldiers and for military supplies. In his mind, at some point, "enough is enough." Part of the factor seems also have been a steamy affair leading to his second marriage, to Peggy Shippen. Peggy was part of a well-known and wealthy Loyalist Family.
None of this, in my mind, excuses treason. But some leaders should know that when "no good deed goes unpunished" the results are often not good.
Not surprisingly, the British gratitude for Benedict Arnold's turn against the Revolution was fleeting. They did not honor their promises to Benedict. The main moral of the story, I suppose, is that loyalty is a fundamental value, abandoned at peril.
Benedict Arnold is best known for his vicious turn against the American Revolution. His name is a synonym for betrayal, for total faithlessness. This book puts his turn from glorious heroism into the context of its time. The American revolutionaries were a ragtag group of rebels. The one thing that what became the United States was not was a country. What Benedict Arnold betrayed was a rebel movement. History being written by the victors, the U.S. is treated by many as a country as of July 4, 1776, not 1787 when the Constitution was written, or when George Washington took the oath of office in New York City on April 30, 1789.
Benedict Arnold was an undoubted hero from 1774 when he took up arms for the Revolution for a bit more than four years, when the betrayal started. The betrayal came to a head in September or October 1780 when he attempted to turn over West Point to John Andre, a British officer. During the "heroic" period he was grievously wounded not once but twice. He spearheaded an invasion of Quebec City from Maine that nearly took what is now Canada for the revolutionaries.
He and Ethan Allen are rivals for credit for seizing Fort Ticonderoga in 1775 and then helping win the crucial Battle of Saratoga in 1777. That battle, in turn, led directly to French and Dutch recognition and military and financial support for the Revolution. In short it is possible that "no Benedict Arnold, no United States." This is rarely remembered. In no way is Benedict Arnold another Vidkund Quisling, Pierre Laval or Julius or Ethel Rosenberg.
The "thanks" he got from the Continental Congress and corrupt military leaders was to go unpaid, unthanked and passed over for credit and promotion. He advanced considerable resources to pay soldiers and for military supplies. In his mind, at some point, "enough is enough." Part of the factor seems also have been a steamy affair leading to his second marriage, to Peggy Shippen. Peggy was part of a well-known and wealthy Loyalist Family.
None of this, in my mind, excuses treason. But some leaders should know that when "no good deed goes unpunished" the results are often not good.
Not surprisingly, the British gratitude for Benedict Arnold's turn against the Revolution was fleeting. They did not honor their promises to Benedict. The main moral of the story, I suppose, is that loyalty is a fundamental value, abandoned at peril.
December 31, 2013
Good 18th Century American history but bogged down with the politics of the various colonies working counter productively in the early days of the revolution where Benedict Arnold played a key role in securing Lake Champlain, the colonies northern flank against a British attack from Canada. Communications being what they were in the late 1700's, it's a wonder the American Revolution succeeded.
July 22, 2009
Incredible book written by one of the best. Randall's use of primary sources does not detract from the flow. Cover to cover one of the best books I've read on the American Revolution.
September 8, 2020
Ponderous, long, and a little too comprehensive, as the author seems to tell some stories that better researched books reject. Not recommended.
November 25, 2023
It's true you shouldn't judge a book by its cover. I put off reading this book for some time because of the simple drawing on the cover that does not convey much excitement. Inside, I was delighted with the read.
Benedict Arnold was a skilled general for the Continental Army and for Pennsylvania who did an outstanding job fighting the British, but the constant conflict with the colony of Pennsylvania and the Continental Congress wore him down.
In spite of his high standing in the eyes of George Washington, Arnold was always under suspicion by those charged with paying him for the expenses he incurred in keeping an armed force operating. It didn't help that there was little money available to pay anyone and Arnold did bend the rules from time to time. And there was the problem of promotions, or the lack thereof. Washington was insistent that the new democracy should determine who was to advance in rank to the point of standing by when Congress would promote someone with nowhere near the accomplishments of Arnold.
He was at Ticonderoga and then led a force attempting to take Quebec. There his forces managed to get into the city only to be overwhelmed by enemy forces that arrived after the date on which the attack was to have taken place. The horrors of getting to Quebec through rugged, swampy land in icy temperatures are almost beyond belief.
The story of his battles and of the times was of delays, failures in communication, lack of supplies and people promising one thing and then doing another. I find it remarkable that commanders were able to know where the enemy was, let alone able to deploy troops to the right place at the right time when it was all by way of hand written messages dispatched by couriers. The fog of war was dense and yet good leadership could prevail.
Why would a man, a member of the elite of his time, one who fought so courageously for American independence, then turn around, deceive Washington to his face and try to betray the American garrison at West Point to the British? I won't spoil it for you, but this book will make clear the several factors that came together to make Arnold the notorious traitor that every American school kid learns about.
A brave man, beloved by the men he lead for his initiative, fearlessness, willingness to be on the front line and always showing a concern for the welfare of his men, Arnold was not suspected of treason until...well, you will find out.
It was a tough time. The American Revolution was at the same time a civil war with a substantial number of loyalists willing to fight for the British but even more were passive, not fighting but not willing to help the revolt. For some time Philadelphia was American held (the capital) and NYC was British held. Once out in the country it was hard to predict what one would find. Financial distress was a very large factor. The British paid in gold, the Americans in all but worthless paper money, if even that was available. Debts could remain unpaid for years.
This is a wonderful look at the history of the time.
Benedict Arnold was a skilled general for the Continental Army and for Pennsylvania who did an outstanding job fighting the British, but the constant conflict with the colony of Pennsylvania and the Continental Congress wore him down.
In spite of his high standing in the eyes of George Washington, Arnold was always under suspicion by those charged with paying him for the expenses he incurred in keeping an armed force operating. It didn't help that there was little money available to pay anyone and Arnold did bend the rules from time to time. And there was the problem of promotions, or the lack thereof. Washington was insistent that the new democracy should determine who was to advance in rank to the point of standing by when Congress would promote someone with nowhere near the accomplishments of Arnold.
He was at Ticonderoga and then led a force attempting to take Quebec. There his forces managed to get into the city only to be overwhelmed by enemy forces that arrived after the date on which the attack was to have taken place. The horrors of getting to Quebec through rugged, swampy land in icy temperatures are almost beyond belief.
The story of his battles and of the times was of delays, failures in communication, lack of supplies and people promising one thing and then doing another. I find it remarkable that commanders were able to know where the enemy was, let alone able to deploy troops to the right place at the right time when it was all by way of hand written messages dispatched by couriers. The fog of war was dense and yet good leadership could prevail.
Why would a man, a member of the elite of his time, one who fought so courageously for American independence, then turn around, deceive Washington to his face and try to betray the American garrison at West Point to the British? I won't spoil it for you, but this book will make clear the several factors that came together to make Arnold the notorious traitor that every American school kid learns about.
A brave man, beloved by the men he lead for his initiative, fearlessness, willingness to be on the front line and always showing a concern for the welfare of his men, Arnold was not suspected of treason until...well, you will find out.
It was a tough time. The American Revolution was at the same time a civil war with a substantial number of loyalists willing to fight for the British but even more were passive, not fighting but not willing to help the revolt. For some time Philadelphia was American held (the capital) and NYC was British held. Once out in the country it was hard to predict what one would find. Financial distress was a very large factor. The British paid in gold, the Americans in all but worthless paper money, if even that was available. Debts could remain unpaid for years.
This is a wonderful look at the history of the time.
March 4, 2019
Fantastic! I’m very sorry that I didn’t read this book when I bought it however many years ago. I kept trying to figure out how soon BA would defect to Britain after all the incredibly stupid things that happened to him along the way... mainly perpetuated by Congress. Lots of egos in this story -most prominently Arnold’s own ego and vanity on display at every moment.
The man was a military genius. Had he the supplies and direction from Congress or Gen Washington to move ahead on multiple attacks during the war we might be celebrating him as much as Washington for his heroics. Frankly, if this biography is remotely accurate, it only feeds my conviction that either the United States is truly the single luckiest country every to exist or that God himself destined for this to happen. The insurmountable odds of beating the greatest military at the time through the multi-faceted mistakes of both sides -not to mention the complete inability of Congress to make a decision or to provide funding to feed, cloth, and pay the soldiers makes our country’s fight for independence truly a miracle.
Arnold is rightly pilloried for his defection and traitorous behavior, but this biography sheds a great deal of light as to what drove him into the arms of the British. Had he not been such a phenomenal businessman, he may have not gotten into the war at all or chosen sides. But he had his businesses to protect and he needed them to win. So yes, some of this is driven by greed and self-preservation... but like many Founders he pledged his life, personal fortune, and sacred honor. Nearly all was lost in the war.
The book really trails off after he defects to Britain where he is treated little better despite the information he provided.
This would be a great book for those trying to get a balanced look at the warts of the Revolutionary War or War of Independence. Too bad it isn’t shorter or it could be useful in discussing this US History at the high school level.
I really enjoyed the book and would read it again in a more deliberate fashion as it would be more enjoyable if read over a 2-4 week period instead of sporadically over months. It wasn’t for lack of the author’s ability to write. I just was bad about regularly opening the book to get it knocked out in less time. I did find 3 or 4 spelling errors throughout the book which are annoying but fun to find. Not a detraction though.
The man was a military genius. Had he the supplies and direction from Congress or Gen Washington to move ahead on multiple attacks during the war we might be celebrating him as much as Washington for his heroics. Frankly, if this biography is remotely accurate, it only feeds my conviction that either the United States is truly the single luckiest country every to exist or that God himself destined for this to happen. The insurmountable odds of beating the greatest military at the time through the multi-faceted mistakes of both sides -not to mention the complete inability of Congress to make a decision or to provide funding to feed, cloth, and pay the soldiers makes our country’s fight for independence truly a miracle.
Arnold is rightly pilloried for his defection and traitorous behavior, but this biography sheds a great deal of light as to what drove him into the arms of the British. Had he not been such a phenomenal businessman, he may have not gotten into the war at all or chosen sides. But he had his businesses to protect and he needed them to win. So yes, some of this is driven by greed and self-preservation... but like many Founders he pledged his life, personal fortune, and sacred honor. Nearly all was lost in the war.
The book really trails off after he defects to Britain where he is treated little better despite the information he provided.
This would be a great book for those trying to get a balanced look at the warts of the Revolutionary War or War of Independence. Too bad it isn’t shorter or it could be useful in discussing this US History at the high school level.
I really enjoyed the book and would read it again in a more deliberate fashion as it would be more enjoyable if read over a 2-4 week period instead of sporadically over months. It wasn’t for lack of the author’s ability to write. I just was bad about regularly opening the book to get it knocked out in less time. I did find 3 or 4 spelling errors throughout the book which are annoying but fun to find. Not a detraction though.
February 24, 2022
Benedict Arnold, to most Americans, is only famous for his ultimate treason during the Revolutionary War, when he defected to the British. Being from New York, I had learned about his bravery and courage in the critical battles at Saratoga in 1777, which many historians have identified as a key moment in the war. Randall in his autobiography of Arnold supplies a rich amount of material in telling the life of this multifaceted individual, who was a hero for the Continental Army, then under investigation, fought with Congress, acquitted, then became a British officer. In this telling, Randall also outlines the complex nature of the America at this time, which was filled with diverse factions, political infighting and personal intrigue. This autobiography is overflowing with various correspondence, allowing the reader to get a small sense of the characters involved in the struggles more than two hundred years ago. There is a definite bias, as Randall works to display Arnold in a positive light, (an example being the ignoring of Arnold fathering children on his trips away from his wife), but I was able to overlook this flaw as I enjoyed the detail provided. I also felt Randall provided insight to other historical figures, including the famous Andre, in some of these critical events, providing ample space for their writings within this book. This was a most entertaining read.
September 8, 2023
I learned a lot! This book is agonizing to read, though, because one sees exactly how Arnold was pushed over the side of the cliff, for years, after being one of the most effective and passionate military strategists and fighters for the Revolution. Page after page, I was gnashing my teeth and wailing to see yet another incredibly stupid thing the Americans did to harm Arnold, generally out of jealousy or a need to further some absurd agenda that wasn't remotely as effective in the war as what Arnold was attempting to pursue. One sees increasingly, of course, the daunting complexity of every aspect of the things leading up to this terrible war and the things that caused so much anguish on both sides.
Coincidentally, we traveled to Vermont while I was reading this big tome; a highlight was our visit to the Lake Champlain Maritime Museum, in which Arnold and his exploits (largely on the American side, of course, from when he was "a hero") feature prominently!
Coincidentally, we traveled to Vermont while I was reading this big tome; a highlight was our visit to the Lake Champlain Maritime Museum, in which Arnold and his exploits (largely on the American side, of course, from when he was "a hero") feature prominently!
August 20, 2017
It's a complicated life
War is hell. For want of a good reputation and recognition of a job well done a great leader and businessman was pushed by a loyalist wife and some politicians accusing him of not being radical enough to change sides. Neighbor pitted against neighbor made all decisions around this civil war complicated. While I'm glad his treachery was discovered, or i would be speaking with a much more pronounced British accent, this book lays out a fair account of those complications.
War is hell. For want of a good reputation and recognition of a job well done a great leader and businessman was pushed by a loyalist wife and some politicians accusing him of not being radical enough to change sides. Neighbor pitted against neighbor made all decisions around this civil war complicated. While I'm glad his treachery was discovered, or i would be speaking with a much more pronounced British accent, this book lays out a fair account of those complications.
April 26, 2020
This is a long book about a Revolutionary War figure I knew very little about. I was not immediately taken by Arnold's story itself, but I found myself fascinated by the story of the struggle among the various factions in the war. While General Arnold's exploits on the battlefield were exemplary, the plot to betray the American army with a planned turnover of the fort at West Point is a bit difficult for an American to read with equanimity. The description of the Battle of Saratoga was quite thrilling.
November 18, 2017
A great book.
The American Revolution had no greater general. That he was undeniably badly treated by the Congress and jealous less-able generals cannot excuse his treason, but does make his conduct more understandable. Condemning and, at the same time, sympathizing with one who could have been one of America’s greatest heroes is a troubling and thought-provoking experience. His was a sad life. In the end, he paid dearly for his sin.
The American Revolution had no greater general. That he was undeniably badly treated by the Congress and jealous less-able generals cannot excuse his treason, but does make his conduct more understandable. Condemning and, at the same time, sympathizing with one who could have been one of America’s greatest heroes is a troubling and thought-provoking experience. His was a sad life. In the end, he paid dearly for his sin.
July 30, 2020
Excellent read. The author did a masterful job of research and his ability to convey the story made me feel that I was there, well done!!
Excellent read and a masterful job of research. The book made me realize that there are always two sides to a story.
Excellent read and a masterful job of research. The book made me realize that there are always two sides to a story.
December 3, 2020
This book does a great job of revealing the side of Benedict Arnold not taught in history classes. Great to see the honorable, patriotic side of him that took up so much of his life rather than the turncoat, despicable Arnold we typically see depicted in modern culture.
August 24, 2023
Very interesting book and a great look in to the man that all Americans consider the most notorious traitor of all time. Randall explores the contributions to America that Arnold made and shines a light on his motivations behind turning traitor. Engagingly written as well!
December 9, 2023
I always wanted to know what made Benedict Arnold tick. This book answered that for me and much more. I only gave it 4 stars because the beginning was a bit difficult for me to get through (although everything he included was absolutely necessary to understand Arnold's nature).
October 20, 2025
THE book on Arnold; this is a treasure trove of personal and professional info about the life and times of Benedict Arnold, his fabulous wife Peggy, and what drove him from one of the most trusted heroes of the American Revolution into the man whose name would become synonymous with treason.
February 17, 2017
Very detailed history presented in good way. Easy to read and not written as a textbook.
October 20, 2017
all the other kids with the pumped up kicks better run better run faster than me
October 17, 2018
After reading about the selfishness, treachery, pettiness, and incompetence of the nascent Congress, I'm only surprised it took him as long as it did to jump ship.
August 2, 2019
Fascinating read.
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