Benedict Arnold's Navy: The Ragtag Fleet That Lost the Battle of Lake Champlain But Won the American Revolution

I had the pleasure of purchasing the book from the author while taking part in the 225th Yorktown Reenactment last year. I thought the these of the book was interesting and unique. As a result, i felt it should be worth adding to my collection. What i got, was much more than I could have ever hoped. The book provides one of the best and detailed accounts of the initial taking of Fort Ticonderoga by Arnold and Allen. The book details the make up of the men that were present and not just centering on the leaders themselves. The work goes into detail regarding the invasion of Canada in 1775, the portion on the western attack may be the best and most in debth coverage ever given. While the book is not the first to cover Arnold's march to Quebec, it may be one of the first to so detail the other half of the invasion and the fights that took place there. In the end, the book does cover the retreat from Canada and the building of the Navies on the lake. The detailed descriptions of the ships involved was very well worth the read. The great dramatic detail in the work gives you the feel of reading a novel, but for the notes detailing the sources betraying it as a non-fiction book. Of course, this simply means that a work of non-fiction can be every bit as exciting as a work of fiction...that is what sets Nelson a part. If you are greatly interested in filling your shelf with an easy read that would give you plenty of information on a part of the war most histories forget (1776 outside of Washington v Howe) this is the book to do it. Buy the book, read the book and keep it. This will be the main source on the subject matter for years to come.

In the past few years, I've read about 20 books about the Revolutionary War and all of its phases. Benedict Arnold's Navy is the first work I've read which links events from Ticonderoga in 1775 to Saratoga in 1777 as a coherent series of American and British moves and countermoves linked by a rational strategy on each side. James Nelson uses his experience as a novelist to bring the characters and events to life. His command of the era's nautical terminology is excellent. This work has the kind of detail and analysis I enjoy.

Written by award-winning historian and rig ship sailor James L. Nelson, Benedict Arnold's Navy: The Ragtag Fleet that Lost the Battle of Lake Champlain but Won the American Revolution is the true story of the Battle of Valcour Island, in which a hastily comprised American fleet led by Benedict Arnold stood against the superior numbers and power of the British navy during the War for Independence. Though the fleet was overwhelmed, the delay it engendered proved vital in enabling the first American triumph in the subsequent Battle of Saratoga, which in turn convinced France to ally with America and shifted the tide of war. Though Benedict Arnold is remembered today as a traitor, in the Battle of Valcour Island his charismatic and strategic leadership played and indispensable role in preventing America's defeat. Benedict Arnold's Navy spares no detail in its reconstruction of pivotal events in America's struggle to become its own nation, and is enthusiastically recommended for library and history shelves.

James Nelson is an author to be envied if the notion of putting pen to paper and telling a story, whether it be fact or fiction has ever occurred to you. In the fourteen books he has written he has done both fiction and non-fiction superbly. His previous non-fiction efforts have focused on the civil war navies and in particular the Confederate Navy, which is a little told, but very interesting facet of that war. His fiction pieces have dealt with pirates and with the Revolutionary War and hopefully there will be more of those forthcoming as well. In his latest he takes a man whose name stands for treachery and tells of his role in helping America to ultimate victory during our war for independance. Benedict Arnold, the ultimate traitor, was for 30 months one of America's most stalwart military figures enduring great sacrifice and exhibiting much bravery. Those of us who live in Maine are familiar with the story of Arnold's March to Quebec and The Arnold Trail is a route through Maine which somewhat follows that daring and brave adventure. For a number of years, I have fished and hunted in the area of Chain of Ponds and Coburn Gore where Arnold and his men passed through and while it is generally known that it was a difficult passage, you have no idea until you have read Mr. Nelson's account of it. This is a definitive account of a part of the Revoltionary War which has received scant attention until now, so if well written history interests you, let James Nelson take you through it. It is quite a trip!

I have read most of James L. Nelson's novels, and this work of non-fiction is just as exciting as any of them. It's obvious he has done his homework. Nelson makes use of many, many primary sources, letting the people who made history talk for themselves using numerous quotes. The action is almost nonstop, from Ticonderoga to Quebec to the battle of Valcour Island. What's more, Nelson puts the fight in perspective, showing why this seemingly minor battle was so imprortant historically. I recommend this book to anyone who loved 1776, Washington's Spys or just loves American history.