Goodreads helps you keep track of books you want to read.

Start by marking “Benedict Arnold's Navy: The Ragtag Fleet That Lost the Battle of Lake Champlain But Won the American Revolution” as Want to Read:

Other editions

Enlarge cover

Rate this book

Clear rating

1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars

Open Preview

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

James L. Nelson (Goodreads Author)

4.13 · Rating details · 173 ratings · 24 reviews

Covering one of history's great tipping point battles, Benedict Arnold's Navy recounts the courageous and exemplary campaign of Arnold and his cobbled-together fleet of ships against a much superior British force in the Battle of Valcour Island (Lake Champlain) in October 1776. This landmark book shows how Arnold's fearless leadership against staggering odds in a northern ...more

Get A Copy

Or buy for

Paperback, 386 pages

Published May 1st 2007 by International Marine Publishing (first published 2006)

More Details... edit details

Friend Reviews

To see what your friends thought of this book, please sign up.

Reader Q&A

To ask other readers questions about Benedict Arnold's Navy, please sign up.

Be the first to ask a question about Benedict Arnold's Navy

Lists with This Book

Washington's Crossing by David Hackett Fischer

Best Books About The American Revolution

156 books — 195 voters

Paul Revere's Ride by David Hackett Fischer

American Revolution - Warfare (nonfiction)

87 books — 19 voters

More lists with this book...

Community Reviews

Showing 1-30

4.13 ·

Rating details

· 173 ratings · 24 reviews

Filter

Sort order

Jan 03, 2010 Hapzydeco rated it really liked it · review of another edition

p. 363 - Benedict Arnold was responsible for the victory at Saratoga....because he had set the stage for the battle itself. The defeat of John Burgoyne's army, the first great victory in the American Revolution, had its origin in the valiant, doomed stand made in a forgotten corner of a wilderness lake by Benedict Arnold’s navy.

flag 3 likes · Like · see review

Nov 12, 2009 Margaret rated it liked it

Shelves: grandma

Proving, once again, how little I know about history. Apparently, Revolutionaries (successfully) attacked Montreal and (less successfully) Quebec. Also, Ethan Allen was a leader in a scruffy mountain militia called the Green Mountain Boys and, as far as I can tell, has no relation at all to furniture except that a nice little furniture company named themselves after him. In the 1930s. I know that the book title probably should have led me to expect this, but I was a little frustrated that the ti ...more

flag 2 likes · Like · see review

Apr 16, 2011 Theodore rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Had it not been for Horatio Gates, who stole Arnold's genius at Saratoga by taking credit (a catalyst for Arnold being the famous "turn coat"), Benedict Arnold could quite possibly gone down in history as a greater American Hero than George Washington.

This book is mostly a biography of Benedict Arnold. However, it covers his building of a small fleet in the harbor of Skenesborough (modern day Whitehall, NY) to sail north and interdict the British fleet arriving via the St. Lawrence Seaway and th ...more

flag 2 likes · Like · see review

Nov 01, 2011 Brian rated it really liked it

Shelves: american-history-revolution

Nelson delivers a very readable account of the American Revolution battles in and around Lake Champlain. The book focuses primarily on the naval build up and arms race that led to an eventual British victory on the lake but a defeat at Saratoga. There is a detour into the Canadian invasion which is probably not needed in the book and served more as distraction. The main thesis of the book was confused and lost to me. While it provided interesting facets on several points I found myself being dra ...more

flag 1 like · Like · see review

Nov 19, 2015 Bill Snyder rated it it was amazing

Wow! What an exciting story! What a fighting General!

The book is filled with details. It tells of the English commanders, the Green Mountain Boys, the invasion of Canada, and more. We learn what happened when the massive British fleet was attacked by the out-gunned Americans, who did what at the battles of Quebec, Bennington, etc., the useless commanders (i.e. Horatio Gates) who were put over the fighting generals by the distant (and out of touch) Continental Congress).

It was hard to put th ...more

flag 1 like · Like · see review

Dec 29, 2015 Robert rated it really liked it

Since we now live part-time in Vermont, I'm finding special pleasure in reading books about that place - and this book combines the location of Lake Champlain with a remarkable historical tale about the British invasion of the U. S. from Canada down the Lake Champlain waterway - and Benedict Arnold's (futile) attempt to stop the invasion. About the only thing we are now told about Arnold is that he was an American traitor ("Don't be a Benedict Arnold"). So....who knew that he was at one time a g ...more

flag 1 like · Like · see review

Jul 16, 2012 Dave rated it really liked it

I read this book a few years ago, but as memory serves, it does an outstanding job documenting Henry Knox’s role in the amazing cannon transport from Fort Ticonderoga back to Massachusetts. If you fancy yourself part of an era that's somehow "better" than prior ones, this book will help knock some sense into you.

flag 1 like · Like · see review

Dec 01, 2015 Nat Bond rated it it was amazing

An outstanding narrative of how one of our nation's greatest heroes was driven to become a traitor.

flag 1 like · Like · see review

Jan 20, 2019 Jim rated it it was amazing

Shelves: history-non-fiction, military-history

When most Americans today think of Benedict Arnold, they associate him with treason, with attempting to turn West Point over to the British army and, when discovered, fleeing to a British ship and then leading British forces in Virginia in the closing year of the Revolutionary War.

Yet there was a time when Benedict Arnold was a loyal patriot, who repeatedly risked his life and sacrificed much of his personal fortune for the Continental Army. This book is a history of this period of Arnold's life When most Americans today think of Benedict Arnold, they associate him with treason, with attempting to turn West Point over to the British army and, when discovered, fleeing to a British ship and then leading British forces in Virginia in the closing year of the Revolutionary War.

Yet there was a time when Benedict Arnold was a loyal patriot, who repeatedly risked his life and sacrificed much of his personal fortune for the Continental Army. This book is a history of this period of Arnold's life. At General Washington's request, Arnold led one prong of a coordinated attack against Canada in an effort to defeat British forces there and bring Canada in as a 14th colony. In late 1775, while Washington was engaged in the siege of Boston, Arnold led a force to present-day Maine and then on an incredibly difficult march to the St. Lawrence River, across from Quebec. While the other prong of attack led by General Montgomery had attacked and taken Montreal, Arnold tried to initiate an attack against the heavily fortified city of Quebec. He failed, but he gained a reputation among Americans as a hero of the Revolution.

Upon retreating from Canada, Arnold came up the Richelieu River into Lake Champlain, which when linked with the Hudson River, served as a natural route between Canada and New York City. Prior to joining the Continental Army, Arnold had spent time as a ship owner and ship master, so he was familiar with maritime matters. Consequently, he was tapped by Washington and the Continental Congress to build up naval forces on Lake Champlain. Through the spring and summer of 1776, both the Americans and the British engaged in a frenetic arms race, building ships and other water craft in an effort to gain a naval superiority on the lake. This culminated in a battle toward the end of October, 1776, when Arnold led his fleet of rag-tag ships and boats in a battle against the British naval forces. Arnold ultimately lost this battle and his entire fleet for that matter. However, the battle led the British general to retreat for the winter to Montreal.

When the British invaded in 1777 with an army led by General John Burgoyne, the American forces were ready for them. Although American General Horatio Gates refused to credit Arnold with any role in the defeat of Burgoyne, Arnold in fact played a major role in the fighting.

Gates' refusal to acknowledge Arnold's role together with a number of other perceived slights by the overly sensitive Arnold ultimately led Arnold to turn traitor.

This is an excellent book, recounting a little known aspect of the Revolutionary War that led to American independence. ...more

flag Like · see review

Sep 23, 2018 Porter Broyles rated it really liked it

Shelves: genre-history-naval, 1760-1812-revolutionary-period

Ok, this is a fun book that fits one of my personal guilty pleasures when it comes to history---Naval battles.

Growing up in the 70s on military bases, being called a "Benedict Arnold" (or any variation) was about the worst insult a person could invoke. Arnold was the ultimate in bad guys.

As an adult and avid reader of history, I've come to learn that Arnold was also one of our countries biggest heroes. Without Arnold, the Colonies probably would have never succeeded in gaining its independence f Ok, this is a fun book that fits one of my personal guilty pleasures when it comes to history---Naval battles.

Growing up in the 70s on military bases, being called a "Benedict Arnold" (or any variation) was about the worst insult a person could invoke. Arnold was the ultimate in bad guys.

As an adult and avid reader of history, I've come to learn that Arnold was also one of our countries biggest heroes. Without Arnold, the Colonies probably would have never succeeded in gaining its independence from Great Britain. First, Arnold's treachery at West Point became a rallying cry for the colonies. He became the Revolutionary War's "Remember the Alamo". Second, Arnold's success at Ticonderoga and Valcour Island. Today we do not study much of those early battles. This book discusses both.

The Battle of Ticonderoga, was an early victory over a small fort at the southern end of Lake Champlain. Lake Champlain is a large pivotal lake on the NY, Vermont, and Quebec borders. It's importance was identified during the French and Indian War. British and American forces fought two crucial battles the Revolutionary War and the War of 1812.

The Battle of Valcour Island (October 1776) was a military coup. Arnold, who had experience as a ships captain, lead a small Colonial Navy with inexperienced sailors against a larger British Navy with some of the best sailors in the world. Taking advantage of geography and daring, Arnold succeeded in compromising the British forces and delaying the invasion. He eventually lost the battle, but by the time the British were ready to resume the invasion in November, winter was upon them. The British Generals realized that they could lay siege to an American fort during the winter or wait until the spring. They chose to wait.

Washington's forces in New York were badly outnumbered and facing defeat. British General Howe had more troops, but had been waiting for reinforcements from Canada to crush Washington between two armies. The second army never arrived. That December, a demoralized rag tag remnant of troops succeeded in making Washington's famous river crossing and attack on Hessian forces at Trenton.

When the forces in Canada were ready to march the following spring, Colonial Forces were ready to provide the British Army one of it's biggest defeats.

Had Arnold not slowed the British down during the fall of 1776, the British invasion from Canada probably would have resulted in the loss of Washington's Army. ...more

flag Like · see review

Jul 02, 2018 Iain rated it did not like it

Shelves: unfinished

I found the coverage here superficial and unfocused, taking more than 200 pages to get to the Colonial navy and battle on Champlain. The book covers Arnold's entire revolutionary war career up to that point but in such superficial detail that's of little value to those who have read about either Arnold or the campaigns in New England.

flag Like · see review

Oct 21, 2017 Adam rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: history

Engaging history of a near-forgotten campaign. I really enjoyed Nelson's look at Arnold's character, and at how ragtag and disorganized the Americans were at the beginning of the war. I burst out laughing at several places.

flag Like · see review

Nov 06, 2017 Renn Daniels rated it it was amazing

General Arnold was a hero long before he became a traitor, the hero of Lake Champlain and Saratoga. His only problem is that he had to deal with that idiot General Gates who was a coward and political traitor to Washington.

flag Like · see review

Nov 18, 2011 Sweetwilliam rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: favorites

Ever since I was a young boy I overheard my relatives say “first Benedict Arnold and now Jane Fonda” or “first Benedict Arnold and now [insert Hollywood actor name here].” I heard this old saying so many times that when I stumbled across a copy of Benedict Arnold’s Navy by James Nelson, I had to read it to understand the story behind the original traitor of the United States of America’s. What I discovered was that Benedict Arnold was an extremely brave and successful leader, strategist, tactici Ever since I was a young boy I overheard my relatives say “first Benedict Arnold and now Jane Fonda” or “first Benedict Arnold and now [insert Hollywood actor name here].” I heard this old saying so many times that when I stumbled across a copy of Benedict Arnold’s Navy by James Nelson, I had to read it to understand the story behind the original traitor of the United States of America’s. What I discovered was that Benedict Arnold was an extremely brave and successful leader, strategist, tactician, financier etc.

It was his idea to attack Ticonderoga from the south to seize the big guns that were facing north and transport those guns back to Boston to add muscle to the siege of Boston and force the British to leave. After this bold stroke, he orchestrated a two pronged invasion of Quebec. Arnold led the wing that laid siege to the citadel of Quebec City. This included a long treacherous forced march through the Maine wilderness that nearly resulted in starvation and death due to exposure of all his men. Arnold paid to resupply the men himself when they finally arrived in QC. He was never reimbursed. The two pronged attack almost worked but Arnolds men were stalled at the gates of QC by what Nelson described as a lucky cannon shot by the British. Arnold was wounded during the battle and he begged to be left behind with two loaded pistols and his sword. The colonists had to evacuate through Montreal and the series of lakes and rivers and waterfalls back to Ticonderoga. They dragged their wounded commander with them during the long retreat.

From There Arnold directed his men to build a Navy that would eventually challenge the British Navy in the showdown on Lake Champlain that was inevitable. Undermanned and out gunned by a considerable Margin, Arnold recklessly led this tiny squadron to battle. The best Arnold could hope to do was delay the British. I was at the Smithsonian and they recently raised the Philadelphia. It is on display. You would have to be fearless to even fire cannon from this ship!

After the defeat on Lake Champlain, Arnold served under Horatio Gates to lead the Continental ground forces against the combined British and Canadian force South of Lake Champlain. They fought a delaying action during the first half of the campaign. Arnold could sense that the British forces were weakened enough and their supply lines were stretched dangerously thin. Arnold argued it was time to counter attack. Gates had Arnold relieved and put under arrest to ensure that once he led the Continental counter attack so he would ensure garner most of the credit. Arnold escaped house arrest and returned to the battlefield with no authority to do so. His former men were inspired by the site of their former commander and Arnold led them in a charge that broke the British offensive - a charge in which he sacrificed his leg.

After it was all said and done, Arnold was wounded twice, lost his leg, nearly starved and froze to death in the Main wilderness and again in Quebec. For all this sacrifice and after bankrolling many of his endeavors without reimbursement, Congress thanked him by passing hem over for promotion and Gates ingloriously relieved him of command and robbed him of all the credit. He was snubbed by congress at every turn.

After convalescing after the loss of his leg, Washington wanted to give Arnold a field command but Arnold had declined this post due to his health. He married a Tory and he was given a command of he garrison at West Point. It is here that Arnold conspired to turn over the key to West Point.

As a result of this book, I will never let anyone in my family use Jane Fonda and Benedict Arnold in the same sentence. Jane Fonda is a nihilist that never made one positive contribution for her country before she betrayed her country during the Vietnam War. Arnold on the other hand….well…you just read the review.
Benedict Arnold’s Navy by James Nelson is one of the best books I have ever read. Enjoy.
...more

flag Like · see review

Jan 05, 2017 Daniel S rated it it was ok

This was another terrible history book written by someone who knows nothing about how to approach a historic topic. The whole book simply tells the story of Arnold's early involvement in the war and only at the end does the author actually address the topic of this significant naval force that was erected on the shores of Lake Champlain. This book was really nothing more than a long narrative of the war in the early days without any real in-depth analysis of how these ships were built, the histo ...more

flag Like · see review

Jun 14, 2016 David Orphal rated it really liked it

The first chapter of this book read very awkwardly. For a moment, I felt like I was reading a paper from one of my seniors.

That quickly changed. Starting in Chapter 2, Nelson wove a dramatic and compelling narrative of Arnold's naval battle on Lake Champlain. At times, it felt like I was reading a very good novel.

While the title of the book suggests that Arnold's successful delay of the British invasion from the North, "Won the American Revolution," Nelson never really addresses this claim unt ...more

flag Like · see review

Feb 15, 2016 Lee rated it really liked it

Shelves: history, us-history

A very good book that tells of the battle for upstate New York to keep the colony from being taken and cutting the country in two during the Revolution. It tells of the taking of Fort Ticonderoga, the invasion of Canada by the Colonial Army leading up to the naval battle along Lake Champlain where they manage to valiantly hold off a British fleet. It also follows up with the Battle of Saratoga where Gentlemen Johnny Burgoyne is forced to surrender leading the French to enter the war on the side ...more

flag Like · see review

Oct 29, 2014 Aaron Shipman rated it really liked it

Shelves: american-revolutionary-war

Nelson does a fine job of arguing his point of how vital the Battle of Lake Champlain was in relation to the rest of the war effort, but do not pick up this book with the expectation of minute detail of the battle. Instead, this book is more a biography of Benedict Arnold's actions in the early days of the Revolutionary War. The book is throughly enjoyable and it is a good introduction to the northern campaigns, but there is not much there for someone well read on the Revolutionary War.

flag Like · see review

May 12, 2011 Dan Rogers rated it really liked it

I read this book in preparation for attendance at a workshop at Fort Ticonderoga this coming July. It was chock full of very interesting information however there were a number of nautical terms which the author used which I did not understand. I believe that the inclusion of a glossary would have enhanced my understanding of the material.

flag Like · see review

Nov 05, 2007 Bluesman Hill rated it liked it · review of another edition

It's kind of difficult to read, mainly because the author, who has chosen the title charater to write a biography, seems to need to extol the man's virtues...but the problem is he had so very little virtues, that it's hard to like him. He seemed vainglorious and reckless, and eventually spiteful and vindictive. It's a wonder he accomplished as much as he did...

flag Like · see review

Mar 11, 2012 Claudette rated it liked it

As usual, Nelson's books are full of detail. Which makes me wonder why in the section on Arnold's march to Quebec, Nelson neglects to mention the Newfoundland hurricane of 1775, which had to have had some impact on the march.

Despite this, this is still worth a weekend of reading.

flag Like · see review

Jan 04, 2013 James rated it it was amazing

Shelves: american-revolution, my-favorite-books

Awesome read!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The descriptions of battle place you on the boat!!!

flag Like · see review

Mar 14, 2008 Chris rated it liked it

this was an enjoyable read. arnold's career in the nascent American military was as interesting as it was tragic.

flag Like · see review

Jan 09, 2014 Denis Robichaud rated it liked it

in depth look at the somewhat overlooked northern theater of the American Revolution. Unvarnished details of Arnold's performance.

flag Like · see review

Matt Shaw rated it really liked it
Nov 26, 2017

Michael W. Berry rated it it was amazing
Jun 18, 2017

Greg rated it really liked it
Apr 27, 2014

Tate rated it really liked it
Apr 13, 2015

Jonathan rated it really liked it
Nov 18, 2013

teresita palec rated it it was amazing
Nov 17, 2015

« previous 1 2 3 4 5 6 next »

new topic
Discuss This Book

There are no discussion topics on this book yet. Be the first to start one »

Recommend It | Stats | Recent Status Updates

Readers Also Enjoyed

Genres

History

24 users

Military History > American Revolution

18 users

Nonfiction

9 users

North American Hi... > American History

9 users

War

4 users

American Revolution > American Revolutionary War

4 users

See top shelves…

About James L. Nelson

James L. Nelson

179 followers

James L. Nelson (1962-) is an American historical nautical novelist. He was born in Lewiston, Maine. In 1980, Nelson graduated from Lewiston High School. Nelson attended the University of Massachusetts, Amherst for two years, and then transferred to UCLA, with the ambition of becoming a film director. Nelson, his wife, Lisa, and their daughter Betsy lived for two years in Steubenville, Ohio, while ...more