An Artist in Treason

The Extraordinary Double Life of General James Wilkinson

De: Andro Linklater

Narrado por: Bill Hensel

For almost two decades, through the War of 1812, James Wilkinson was the senior general in the United States Army. Amazingly, he was also Agent 13 in the Spanish secret service at a time when Spain's empire dominated North America. Wilkinson's audacious career as a double agent is all the more remarkable because it was an open secret, circulated regularly in newspapers and pamphlets. His saga illuminates just how fragile and vulnerable the young republic was: No fewer than our first four presidents turned a blind eye to his treachery and gambled that the mercurial general would never betray the army itself and use it too overthrow the nascent union - a faith that was ultimately rewarded.

©2009 Andro Linklater (P)2012 Audible, Inc.

An incredible story of duplicity and political adeptness

On one hand I find myself despising James Wilkinson more than I did before, but on the other hand I can’t help but admire his skill at navigating the political landscape of the early years of the United States. I primarily knew Wilkinson from his rivalry with Anthony Wayne in the 1790’s and the rumors that he may have tried to have his rival murdered (an event that is never mentioned in the book surprisingly). I had no idea of his connections to other duplicitous events such as the Conway Cabal and the Burr Conspiracy and just how instrumental he was in shaping their outcomes. All in all I believe that Wilkinson deserves to be mentioned in the same breath as Benedict Arnold as the most infamous traitor in American history. The truly astounding thing is just how deft he was at getting away with it.

fascinating life, entertaining told

Fascinating life, entertaining told about the general on the take from a foreign power, who commanded the US Army from GW to Madison, & who conspired with then thwarted the Aaron Burr conspiracy.

Amazing story had to read more about this man after learning of him while reading about Madison and Monroe

Very well written story tremendous detail flows wonderfully. The reader is amazing I haven’t done but about 50 bucks now as audible he was the best. Voices accents emphasis this guy is really good and adds tremendously to the story. Only thing I could see specifically was a sentence or two about John Henry and the pre-war of 1812 con job. The book indicates that he came from Canada when Canada came from Canada with the story leaving out that he had been refused compensation by the Canadian representative of England went to England to argue his case for money and met the French ConMan on it on his way back anyway it’s a really interesting story another self perhaps our author could do it justice in another piece. Highly recommend you read this book ties so much of the western history of the clonesUS. My focus has been on the eastern US including the supreme court justice Marshall etc. it’s really interesting to see the parallel activity that went on and see how it interacted with the other major events of the US.

The American Blackadder

I cannot praise this book highly enough. Major General James Wilkinson, the subject of this biography, participated in almost every scandal, plot, and political intrigue from the Revolution until the War of 1812 contributing to each in a decidedly unhelpful and self-serving way. If you enjoy stories about rogues or if you love the early Republic you will enjoy this story, which intersects in some way with almost every luminary who crossed the stage of American life from about 1780 to 1830.