Benedict Arnold, Revolutionary Hero: An American Warrior Reconsidered

by James Kirby Martin

Benedict Arnold, Revolutionary Hero - An American Warrior Reconsidered (97) by Martin, James K [Paperback (2000)]

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

558 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1997

About the author

James Kirby Martin is the author of several highly-regarded books, many of them focused on Revolutionary America. He has taught U. S. history at Rutgers University, the University of Houston, The Citadel, and the United States Mlitary Academy at West Point. Martin has served as an advisory editor on book series sponsored by New York University Press, Oxford Universisty Press, and Westholme Publishesrs. He writes occasional book reviews for the on line New York Journal of Books. He has appeared in television programs on the History Channel, the Fox News Network, the Amerian Heroes Network, and Fox Nation. His latest book, co-authored with Robert Burris, is titled Surviving Dresden: A Novel about Life, Death, and Redemption in World War II. Among his professional activities, he is on the Board of Trustees of the Fort Ticonderoga Association and serves as a historian consultant to the Oneida Indian Nation of New York.

Reviews

[Steve DuBois · Rating 5 out of 5]

Definitive. Outstanding depth of research.

Needs to be developed into a big-budget Hollywood biopic with all due haste.

[Chuck · Rating 4 out of 5]

Benedict Arnold Revolutionary Hero by James Kirby Martin was recommended to me by a Park Ranger at the Saratoga National Battlefield Park. It is a well written biography that covers Arnold's period when he was one of the leading generals in the American Revolution. It basically stops after the Saratoga Campaign.

Benedict Arnold was one of the best generals in Continental Army during the Revolutionary War. He nearly conquered Quebec against a larger, better equipped and entrenched foe. Had he succeeded there, Canada might well have become the 14th state in the Confederation. The next year, in a series of land and naval engagements, he was a major factor in discouraging Guy Carlton, the English Commander from invading. The year after that, sent up to help fight the English invasion led by General John Burgoyne. He managed to first drive off the English Army invading the Mohawk Valley. And then led Patriot forces that defeated the English in the two epic battles of Saratoga. Had Arnold died at this point, he would have been a great hero of the Patriot forces and of the United States.

Arnold was not a smooth political creature, but an abrasive, pushy and effective combat leader. He also spent his time in the war zone rather than in the rear areas lobbying and schmoozing Congress as many of his colleagues did. In an era when the New England states were in near armed conflict over the Hampshire grants he lacked New England patrons and a major patron was Schuyler of New York. Finally, serving in the Patriot Army, he put his financial well being, and that of his family, at risk.

I found the book well written and informative. It was limited in it's scope as it only dealt with Arnold through his years as a Patriot hero. If you are interested in Benedict Arnold, the Revolutionary War, and.or American History, I would recommend this book.

[Robert · Rating 5 out of 5]

A much needed biography that focuses the real factors that lead to Arnold's decision to switch sides in the American Revolutionary War. This book is so thoughtful and balanced that it makes me wonder why so many other biographies and histories get published in spite of their superficially. After reading this book, it leaves me thinking that the real traitors were those, such as Horation Gates, who worked at bringing down both Arnold and George Washington, as well as others, to advance their own interests. Along with other New Englanders, John Adams in his brief appearances comes across more as a small-minded dilletante than as the important leader that he has been portrayed as by modern historians.

The facts set forth in this volume suggest that the real question is not "Why did Arnold switch?", but rather "What took him so long?" And how was Washington able to rise above the pettiness of those he served?

[John · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the best biography of Benedict Arnold available. Unfortunately, the narrative stops without discussing his treason or his life after defecting to the enemy. Granted, the author's goal was to reexamine Arnold's achievements (and there were many) without scrutinizing his every move in search of evidence that he would later become a traitor. While this helps to humanize Arnold, it seems a little like chickening out to not analyze what was probably the pivotal moment in Arnold's life and one of the turning points of the American Revolution. Also, the narrative is so good that I wish we could see how the author would have treated the rest of Arnold's story.

[Chris Kostenko · Rating 5 out of 5]

Benedict Arnold has fallen into folklore. There were so many myths that I believed about this figure that just weren't true. Arnold began as a patriot who was willing to give his all to the revolution. He was really an incredible leader, America's Hannibal, and deserved more recognition than he ever received. Lay part of the blame on the congress whose daily workings had little to do with republicanism and part of the blame on the jealousy of officers who received their commissions because they were well connected and often ineffective.
This is a tragic story that sometimes reminded me of political workings today.

[David Eppenstein · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the third biography I have read about Arnold. I see that some are disappointed because this book ends after Saratoga and before Philadelphia and Ticonderoga but that didn't bother me. This book really is about establishing the cause for Arnold's disenchantment and his ultimate treason and it does quite well. I have two Arnold biographies to digest and this man's story is well worth studying in detail by all Americans. Arnold's life is a wealth of lessons for all of us.

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great read, with an interesting approach to the life of Benedict Arnold. Focusing on his early life and how it helped shape him into the man he became, it gives a number of insights into what drove home to become who he was. He also presents the argument that Arnold was a highly misunderstood individual. Lost to history is the fact that before his ultimate act of treason, Arnold was a powerful brigadier general who was a hero in his own right.

It is a fascinating read that explores the many aspects of Benedict Arnold. It is worth the time, well written and and well documented.

[Bobcat · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of several biographies of Benedict Arnold, this one is a serious, well-researched tome. I initially picked it up because I wondered why Arnold switched sides during the American Revolutionary War. Well, the bottom line is that no one has a simple answer to this question. But this book gives you the best answer you're likely to get, and it does so in a nuanced, authoritative way. Highly recommended.

[Jon Gautier · Rating 3 out of 5]

An excellent scholarly account that is meticulously researched. More than fair to Arnold, it only suffers from less than exciting prose. But a must for any Arnold library.

[Tony · Rating 5 out of 5]

James Kirby Martin does a superb job of narrating Benedict Arnold's early life and stirring service for the Patriot cause. He does not condone Arnold's treason, but he does strip away numerous apocryphal tales of Arnold's alleged unsavory personality to paint a more balanced picture of America's most infamous warrior-a warrior who, had he died on the field of Saratoga, would have gone down in history as an American hero.

[Robert Sperduto · Rating 4 out of 5]

The author reviews the true history of Arnold. We all know about Arnold and that he betrayed America, but why did he do it? This book explains many of the reasons why and who pushed Arnold to become a traitor. Washington, Adams, Dean and many other not so famous people all play a part in Arnold's life. Enjoy this book.

[M · Rating 3 out of 5]

There's so much info, it's a bit of a slog, but I found it well worth reading, worth gaining an understanding of this important patriot, who is now vilified for his actions taken at the end of his American career. Should that stain dismiss all his contributions which came before?

[Neil · Rating 2 out of 5]

The book didn't cover anything after he left the US.