What do you think?
Rate this book
The Life of Abraham Lincoln
This is a pre-1923 historical reproduction that was curated for quality. Quality assurance was conducted on each of these books in an attempt to remove books with imperfections introduced by the digitization process. Though we have made best efforts - the books may have occasional errors that do not impede the reading experience. We believe this work is culturally important and have elected to bring the book back into print as part of our continuing commitment to the preservation of printed works worldwide.
468 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1880
7 people are currently reading
37 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
May 26, 2025
HVA Press remasters yet another biography from the tomes of the nineteenth century, with the latest being one of the earlier known published on the infamous traitor from historian Isaac Newton Arnold. An Arnold descendant, Isaac’s background is fascinating in itself, serving two terms in the House of Representatives, as well as honorably proposing in 1864 the first resolution in to abolish slavery in the United States. Having written years before on Abraham Lincoln and the issue of slavery, Isaac put his focus into the life and times of Benedict Arnold—a notorious figure that audiences especially drew all the more ire and disgust from with the patriotic sentiment that followed the Reconstruction era. Beginning with the background of Arnold’s heritage, Isaac chronicles his English ancestor William settling in Providence, Rhode Island in 1636.
From there a string of Benedicts would follow (one of whom served as Governor in 1663), and while he mentions his father being a captain, Isaac leaves much of the history of Arnold’s mother alone—rather quickly and forcefully moving forward from the early deaths of Arnold’s parents. Similarly, tales of his boyhood and early merchant career are discussed briefly, and while properly cited in the footnotes, most are from the mouths and journals of secondhand accounts and family lore. As the War of Independence begins, Isaac touches on Arnold’s friendship with Dr. Joseph Warren, and—interestingly—moves through Arnold and Ethan Allen’s capture of Fort Ticonderoga in a matter of a few paragraphs, which is usually a focal point in modern biographies.
With the news of the death of his first wife from his devoted sister (who would from then on care for his children), Isaac devotes much attention to Arnold’s harrowing march to Quebec, from the frostbitten trials that the soldiers faced along the way, to the battle itself where Arnold would come away with a broken leg from a musket ball—earning him the rank of brigadier general. Three things are apparent in Isaac’s biography that stand out, all of which pertain to nineteenth century writing and customs: the first involves the fact that his prose is easy to follow, and is not extravagant nor fantastical as is typical of the period. The second revolves around the fact that he expertly summarizes the start of each chapter with bold (all capitalized) headlines of what exactly will be covered. Finally, he dutifully notes his sources in the footnotes of each page in a rather convenient manner—especially rare when considering the lack of citations given by his negligent contemporaries of the age.
Moving through Arnold’s brilliant tactics at Valcour Island and the Saratoga campaign, Isaac carefully puts to rest the myth and assessments from earlier biographers that Arnold was not on the field in the first battle of Saratoga—diligently noting each primary source regarding the action that day, which refuted these false claims. Upon recollecting Arnold’s valor in the second battle, he notes the courage and sacrifice of having his horse shot from under him (and subsequent leg wound), yet Isaac misses the opportunity to breakdown the battle in a meaningful and engaging timeline. Instead, he puts too much of his focus on trying to prove his subject’s worth and valantry in the heat of the battle—though he aptly points out the injustice given to the general by his fellow soldiers and previous chroniclers:
If Arnold had not been faithful to Schuyler, he might have continued the favorite of Gates, and then he would have been the acknowledged hero of Saratoga. But he was independent enough to be Schuyler’s friend, in the camp of Gates, and Gates punished him for it, and yet Mr. Bancroft says that he “assumed” to be Schuyler’s friend. The treatment of Arnold by some historians suggests the spirit of one who, when a friendless and obnoxious man was struck, cried out “hit him again, he has no friends here!”
After honoring Arnold’s financial donations to the late Joseph Warren’s fiancée, Isaac relates Arnold’s courtship and marriage to Margaret Shippen, as well as a rather dull report of his Philadelphia court-martial for misuse of goods and supplies, among other accusations. Indeed, this carries over to Arnold’s treason, where Isaac unfortunately skips over the general’s first meetings and negotiations with Henry Clinton and John André before deciding to turn. He misses the opportunity that many modern biographies have taken full advantage of in giving a precise timeline of André’s capture, and Arnold’s escape—only mentioning these exciting escapades as mere facts to go along with the narrative. Nonetheless, he conducts a reasonable investigation into Peggy Shippen’s alleged hand in the affair, as well as whether André should’ve legally been considered a spy.
Arnold’s new regimental colors and subsequent raid on Virginia are recounted by Isaac, as well as his embarkation—and exile—to London, where King George III would generously provide pensions and recommendations for the Arnolds. From there on, their lives would take a downward spiral as Arnold attempted fruitless mercantile ventures in the West Indies, and Peggy was justifiably homesick for family and friends after finding herself unwelcome following a brief visit to New York. Upon Arnold’s death at the age of sixty, Isaac pays a wonderful and relatively unique tribute to Peggy and their surviving offspring by following their subsequent experiences and careers. He makes a point of not slandering her character as some historians have (and still do), by showing through various letters her devotion to each—even her step-sons and sister-in-law. In terms of a nineteenth century biography, Isaac exceeds expectations in not vilifying his controversial subject, citing most of his sources and addressing certain speculations, and including a useful appendix and index.
From there a string of Benedicts would follow (one of whom served as Governor in 1663), and while he mentions his father being a captain, Isaac leaves much of the history of Arnold’s mother alone—rather quickly and forcefully moving forward from the early deaths of Arnold’s parents. Similarly, tales of his boyhood and early merchant career are discussed briefly, and while properly cited in the footnotes, most are from the mouths and journals of secondhand accounts and family lore. As the War of Independence begins, Isaac touches on Arnold’s friendship with Dr. Joseph Warren, and—interestingly—moves through Arnold and Ethan Allen’s capture of Fort Ticonderoga in a matter of a few paragraphs, which is usually a focal point in modern biographies.
With the news of the death of his first wife from his devoted sister (who would from then on care for his children), Isaac devotes much attention to Arnold’s harrowing march to Quebec, from the frostbitten trials that the soldiers faced along the way, to the battle itself where Arnold would come away with a broken leg from a musket ball—earning him the rank of brigadier general. Three things are apparent in Isaac’s biography that stand out, all of which pertain to nineteenth century writing and customs: the first involves the fact that his prose is easy to follow, and is not extravagant nor fantastical as is typical of the period. The second revolves around the fact that he expertly summarizes the start of each chapter with bold (all capitalized) headlines of what exactly will be covered. Finally, he dutifully notes his sources in the footnotes of each page in a rather convenient manner—especially rare when considering the lack of citations given by his negligent contemporaries of the age.
Moving through Arnold’s brilliant tactics at Valcour Island and the Saratoga campaign, Isaac carefully puts to rest the myth and assessments from earlier biographers that Arnold was not on the field in the first battle of Saratoga—diligently noting each primary source regarding the action that day, which refuted these false claims. Upon recollecting Arnold’s valor in the second battle, he notes the courage and sacrifice of having his horse shot from under him (and subsequent leg wound), yet Isaac misses the opportunity to breakdown the battle in a meaningful and engaging timeline. Instead, he puts too much of his focus on trying to prove his subject’s worth and valantry in the heat of the battle—though he aptly points out the injustice given to the general by his fellow soldiers and previous chroniclers:
If Arnold had not been faithful to Schuyler, he might have continued the favorite of Gates, and then he would have been the acknowledged hero of Saratoga. But he was independent enough to be Schuyler’s friend, in the camp of Gates, and Gates punished him for it, and yet Mr. Bancroft says that he “assumed” to be Schuyler’s friend. The treatment of Arnold by some historians suggests the spirit of one who, when a friendless and obnoxious man was struck, cried out “hit him again, he has no friends here!”
After honoring Arnold’s financial donations to the late Joseph Warren’s fiancée, Isaac relates Arnold’s courtship and marriage to Margaret Shippen, as well as a rather dull report of his Philadelphia court-martial for misuse of goods and supplies, among other accusations. Indeed, this carries over to Arnold’s treason, where Isaac unfortunately skips over the general’s first meetings and negotiations with Henry Clinton and John André before deciding to turn. He misses the opportunity that many modern biographies have taken full advantage of in giving a precise timeline of André’s capture, and Arnold’s escape—only mentioning these exciting escapades as mere facts to go along with the narrative. Nonetheless, he conducts a reasonable investigation into Peggy Shippen’s alleged hand in the affair, as well as whether André should’ve legally been considered a spy.
Arnold’s new regimental colors and subsequent raid on Virginia are recounted by Isaac, as well as his embarkation—and exile—to London, where King George III would generously provide pensions and recommendations for the Arnolds. From there on, their lives would take a downward spiral as Arnold attempted fruitless mercantile ventures in the West Indies, and Peggy was justifiably homesick for family and friends after finding herself unwelcome following a brief visit to New York. Upon Arnold’s death at the age of sixty, Isaac pays a wonderful and relatively unique tribute to Peggy and their surviving offspring by following their subsequent experiences and careers. He makes a point of not slandering her character as some historians have (and still do), by showing through various letters her devotion to each—even her step-sons and sister-in-law. In terms of a nineteenth century biography, Isaac exceeds expectations in not vilifying his controversial subject, citing most of his sources and addressing certain speculations, and including a useful appendix and index.
January 21, 2026
Interesting book from a descendant of the most infamous traitor.
March 13, 2022
This book was originally published in 1880, and has been re-published . Very interesting read however the language in 1880 or the language of the colonial times is much different than today’s, so it was a bit difficult to read.
December 14, 2014
An early biography of a man all Americans should know more about. This was the first biography of Arnold that I've read and it inspired me to find more contemporary efforts. I am now reading my third such biography with a fourth on my shelf. The question that keeps occurring to me is, did Arnold choose to become a traitor or did the small minded, self-promoting, mediocrities of the revolutionary leadership force him to change sides? Arnold's history is so full of life lessons that it should be thoroughly studied by anyone thinking of entering public life.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews