The Tragedy of Benedict Arnold

An American Life

By: Joyce Lee Malcolm

Narrated by: Paul Boehmer

A vivid and timely re-examination of one of young America's most complicated figures: The war hero turned infamous traitor, Benedict Arnold.

Proud and talented, history now remembers this conflicted man solely through the lens of his last desperate act of treason. Yet the fall of Benedict Arnold remains one of the Revolutionary period's great puzzles. Why did a brilliant military commander, who repeatedly risked his life fighting the British, who was grievously injured in the line of duty, and fell into debt personally funding his own troops, ultimately became a traitor to the patriot cause?

Historian Joyce Lee Malcolm skillfully unravels the man behind the myth and gives us a portrait of the true Arnold and his world. There was his dramatic victory against the British at Saratoga in 1777 and his troubled childhood in a pre-revolutionary America beset with class tension and economic instability. We witness his brilliant wartime military exploits and learn of his contentious relationship with a newly formed and fractious Congress, fearful of powerful military leaders, like Arnold, who could threaten the nation's fragile democracy.

©2018 Joyce Lee Malcolm (P)2019 Tantor

The best book on Benedict Arnold

This is probably the best book on Benedict Arnold. The first chapter is essential reading as it tells the historiography of Arnold and the various writing done on him since his death. This part is must read.

Otherwise the book is excellent. Trying its best to an objective non-judgmental neutral view of Arnold, the author writes an easy to follow and understand narrative. Campaigns such the Canada battles are discussed in detail that show military thought but doesn’t alienate non-army readers.

The book does sudden after Arnold’s betrayal with just two chapters left. Really felt that a post analysis of Arnold’s role in American rhetoric as the American Judas was in order and the author really should have explored this but the book just ends after Arnold’s death. The first chapter lightly touches this (author says it united all Americans after the war to point at a common villain but doesn’t provide anything beyond just saying this) but really offers no real scholarship on Arnold.

But Arnold’s life story is told here so brilliantly that this book regardless is a must read. Put it alongside a shelf of founding father biographies.

New View of Arnold

Although still a traitor, my view of Benedict Arnold has softened slightly based on this thoroughly researched book. It is also excellent storytelling! The Continental Congress deserves much blame based on their truly unfair treatment of the Hero of Saratoga. All praise to Joyce Lee Malcolm for writing this important work!

Provides details on Benedict Arnold

There are good details on Benedict Arnold . There is also a lot of detail on battles that make no mention of Arnold. More on details relating to Arnold world be better.

Benedict Arnold is better understood

the author does a good job of analyzing Benedict Arnold's actions throughout his lifetime and fills it in with evidentiary letters to and from Arnold and family members and other officers. although one might not totally agree with all of her conclusions she brings many facts to the table allowing the reader to draw their own conclusions regarding this complex and talented man

Excellent

A great second look at this much-maligned, but undeniably brilliant officer, formerly of the Continental Army. Independence without Arnold's achievements would likely have gone unrealized. His stunning victory at Saratoga ensured French intervention and ultimately won the war. Such a shame he chose betrayal towards the end, as today he'd be in the highest pantheon of American Heroes if he hadn't, and may've even rose to the highest political office of the land.

Great insights

Provided a deeper understanding of Arnold, the sentiments of the time and other founding fathers. Excellent.

An explanation of his actions

No excuses. An excellent insight into Arnold’s wisdom, character and choices regarding the momentous decisions he made.

Well put together

Overall I enjoyed this prospective .i had issues with the author not pressing the Peggy issue more..she left so much on the table with that issue I felt.also this story is the same story most soldiers are still complaining about when they are in and are leaving service.the button pushers make all the money and can go to sleep with not a care in the world. the soldiers go home (if they are lucky) with nightmares ,injuries and bills .

An interesting retelling of Arnold

This was an excellent revisionist theory of what Arnold did. Hero or traitor? She explains how and why in a way I was unfamiliar with. It’s easy to see the American Revolution as our first civil war. Certainly a very contentious time and not what we learned in high school.

good story....questionable performance

tough to listen to...Reader had difficulty reading the text and all too frequently changed the sentence context.