Benedict Arnold: Patriot and Traitor

This is perhaps the best single volume biography available on Benedict Arnold - America's greatest commander during the Revolutionary War and the Nation's greatest traitor! Willard Sterne Randall has written a tremendously well researched, compelling and balanced book that details Benedict Arnold's accomplishments and failures during America's fight for Independence. Arnold was almost single-handedly responsible for the American invasion of Canada, which, due to his prowess as a Strategist, Commander and Soldier, came very close to succeeding. When he wasn't winning battles on land, America's preeminent battlefield general was winning them on the water, building a navy and then delaying the British advance into New York for a year, thus assuring the survival of the Continental Army and the Nation. Arnold was present at almost every major battle of the war, often snatching victory from the jaws of defeat. Both the British and their Loyalist allies soon grew to hate him. But his immense pride and hunger for wealth and recognition led to his downfall. Certainly the Continental Congress played a role, refusing to pay him four years of back pay due to him or reimburse him for the immense fortune he spent, out of his own pocket, training, equipping, and feeding his army and navy. Randall estimates that in all, Congress denied Arnold the equivalent of $275,000 due to him. Furthermore, their repeated slights of the General and attacks on his character took their took. Arnold had only to marry a young and beautiful 19 year old Loyalist for his treason to be assured. And so the man who almost single-handedly won the Revolutionary War (ensuring first the French, and then the Spanish and Dutch entered the fighting as allies of America), almost single-handedly lost it as he negotiated to turn over West Point and its forts to the British for 10,000 pounds. Only bad luck (on his part) prevented Arnold from succeeding. Once rescued by his benefactors, he fought as a British Brigadier against the Americans as effectively as he had fought for them. This is a tremendous interesting story and an equally interesting book. True, Randall has a tendency to repeat himself, but readers will find "Benedict Arnold Patriot and Traitor" a good read!

This book offers insight into the complex, controversial and ever-changing political landscape of the American Revolution. Benedict Arnold personifies the kaleidoscopic nature of loyalties, betrayals and intrigue prevalent during the War, circumstances much of which determined his course in life. In those days, most citizens were not revolutionaries but either loyalists or non-participants. Arnold's ambitions and abilities were manipulated by his constant striving for recognition and wealth. His inconsistency in allegiance reflected the inconsistencies of society and geography. Unlike Washington whose stability was based on his status as a general, statesman, politician and aristocrat, Arnold was a maverick sometime general and contraband entrepreneur seeking permanent social status, which was denied him throughout his life. Consequently, he jumped sides, outmaneuvering himself and suffering the consequences of traitor to both the new republic and England.

This is great scholarship. Takes you where the research, the original documents available lead, so you get the facts and see the real human being, instead of the caricatures handed down by his American contemporaries. An excellent read, backed by superb research, that follows one of the most dramatic stories in American history.For a different tack that tries a little more to get into the mind of BA, try James Kirby Martin's "Benedict Arnold, A Revolutionary Hero Reconsidered". Also Kenneth Roberts' novels, "Arundel", and "Rabble in Arms" are MUST reads.

Randall did an excellent job separating the patriot and the traitor. But most importantly, he gives a factual glimpse of the patriot and the why's and whereall's of the traitor. Recommend you follow up with Ketchum's "Saratoga - Turning Point of the Revolutionary War"

This Biography reads like a novel. I didn't want to put it down. Willard Randall presents a view of a person that was wronged by the powers of the war for independence. I gained a view of General Arnold that I never thought possible. (I do admit that I bought the book after spending the night on a train from New York to Vermont with the author). AFter reading this book, I have a desire to follow in the subjects footsteps. It changed my judgement of General Arnold, although I still don't believe he was justified in his actions concerning West Point. This book has generated an overpowering interest to follow in General Arnold's footsteps to Quebec and to the Battle of Valcour Bay where the Navy, under the command of General Arnold effectively delayed the progress of the British for a year. I really believe tahe Arnold's actions at Valcour Bay and Saratoga were instrumental in the creation of the United States of America as we know it today.