Benedict arnold continues to be one of the most controversial characters in american history. Traitor to the cause hardcover january 1, 2000 see all 2 formats and editions hide other formats and editions. This book is a brazenly derivative fauxhistory, based entirely on other recent histories of benedict arnold. What drove benedict arnold to give up the patriot cause.
He always maintained that he had his countrys wellbeing at heart and that his fellow americans should have accepted the terms of the carlisle commission. This book includes a reprint of arnolds diary of his march. At the outbreak of the war, arnold participated in the capture of the british garrison of fort ticonderoga in 1775. Why benedict arnold turned traitor against the american revolution the story behind the most famous betrayal in u. He was a wellrespected general but yet congress would not acknowledge him for his heroism. The name benedict arnold is synonymous in american history with the word traitor. Two of the reasons are explored in two recent books. Having gone to public school in the us, i was taught that benedict arnold was a complete traitor to the yankees during the revolutionary war. An early supporter of the revolution, he proved to be a resourceful and energetic officer. Willard sterne randall has written a tremendously well researched, compelling and balanced book that details benedict arnolds accomplishments and failures during americas. As a boy he did crazy things like climbing atop a burning roof and picking a fight with the town constable.
Benedict arnolds house in new haven, connecticut, where he moved at age 21. How benedict arnold went from wartime hero to resentful. Joyce lee malcolm knows this story, and yet she has embraced the thankless, if not sisyphean, task of contextualizing americas first traitor in her new and aptly named biography, the tragedy of benedict arnold. List of books and articles about benedict arnold online research. Benedict arnold, 17411801, american revolutionary general and traitor, b. Benedict arnold was considered at that time to be the best fighting general in the american army. A neighbor from connecticut remembered that benedict arnold was the most. Books and authors top teaching blog teachers tool kit student activities. As a boy he did crazy things like climbing atop a burning. Americas most notorious traitor is brought to life as jean fritz relays the engrossing story of benedict arnold a man whose pride, ambition, and selfrighteousness drove him to commit the heinous crime of treason against the united states during the american revolution. To make matters worse, fritz paraphrases her sources in a highly generalized way, leaving the events ambiguous at times when disambiguating details are, in fact, available. This is due to the calendar change from julian to gregorian in 1742 in which the calendar was adjusted by 11 days.
I remember learning as a school kid that benedict arnold was a traitor during the revolutionary war. The argument over arnolds place in american history has carried into this century. Arnold led and fought in the three most important battles of the revolution, and his impact on the war should not be forgotten. Before benedict arnold was a traitor, he was a patriot.
Arnold fought like he was inspired by the fury of a. He was obsessed with being the leader and the hero in every battle, and he never wanted to surrender. This is perhaps the best single volume biography available on benedict arnold americas greatest commander during the revolutionary war and the nations greatest traitor. Yet the fall of benedict arnold remains one of the revolutionary periods. Benedict arnold would live the rest of his life continuing his trend of poor decisions. Benedict arnolds life is deftly and sensibly recounted in light of his personality. History books, encyclopedias and even childrens books recount benedict arnolds betrayal of the revolution. Continuing the move, begun with stonewall 1979, from her delightful foundingfather sketches to a somewhat older, straighter, and fuller biography, fritz has made another lively, readable life story. He even killed his own horse once rather than give it to the enemy. Benedict arnold, the american general during the revolutionary war who betrayed his country and became synonymous with the word traitor, was born on january 14, 1741 arnold, who was raised. Numerous books now portray his lovely young wife peggy as equally evil, an eve enticing her husband to betray his country. Arnold actually built a very impressive military career before his defection to the british army. In order to read online or download benedict arnold ebooks in pdf, epub, tuebl and mobi format, you need to create a free account. Lee was a man of his time, and was not a traitor to the united states of america.
Malcolm has written a fine biographythe best in recent memory, in fact. Despite the fact that the arnolds, as a family, were well established among the elite of that colony, arnolds father liked the drink a bit too much and moved his family to connecticut. A life from beginning to end because of the brief and concise manner that they discussed a specific historical topic. Benedict arnold was once a patriotic war hero valued by george washington and admired by his men. He moves to canada to become a trader not a traitor, he was already one of those. Benedict arnolds name became synonymous with traitor soon after his. Why benedict arnold turned traitor against the american revolution. After reading this book i, as a criminal lawyer, would have loved to defend him from this charge. An american life, by janet lee malcolm pegasus books arnold was a national hero before. A fresh look at benedict arnolds treason the new york times. Two centuries after benedict arnolds death, the most infamous man in american history remains a twodimensional caricature in the minds of most americans. Nprs steve inskeep talks with national book award winner nathaniel philbrick about his new. The tragedy of benedict arnold by joyce lee malcolm.
However, arnolds later actions at west point led most people to condemn him and permanently label him as a traitor. His greatgrandfather, the first benedict arnold, had been governor of rhode island. He contributed greatly to early victories, especially the battle of saratoga. Was he justified in his actions or was he a complete traitor like most us textbooks teach.
Benedict arnold, despite the extraordinary efforts and sacrifices he made on behalf of american independence, is probably known best for being a traitor. Benedict arnold, born january 14, 1741, norwich, connecticut u. What caused him to make this decision to betray, especially after being so successful at the battle of saratoga. Traitor to the cause revolutionary war leaders norma jean. I compliment judith gabrielle and rick homs on their answers below. Arnolds first claim to fame is the subject of thomas desjardins through a howling wilderness. Richard montgomery attacked montreal from the west, colonel. Fiction benedict arnold always carried things too far. Displaying this betray towards the once loved general was. His name is almost a synonym for treasonous behavior so despicable, his many contributions to american independence before becoming a turncoat are largely forgotten. Illustration showing major general benedict arnold 1741 1801 rallying the american troops and performing heroically during the battle of saratoga, during. The tragedy of benedict arnold benefits from russell leas collection of arnolds war correspondence, published in 2008, and a relatively recent discovery of a cache of primary sources. Arnold was our american tragic hero who rose to the top only to be pulled down by the treachery of politics and the weakness of conviction. See also george washington, benedict arnold, and the fate of the american revolution, by nathaniel philbrick, american heritage, oct 2017.
List of books and articles about benedict arnold online. Arnold was our american tragic hero who rose to the top only to be pulled down by the treachery of. The views expressed are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the nco journal or the u. Benedict arnold 17411801 was an early american hero of the revolutionary war 177583 who later became one of the most infamous traitors in u. This was in the eyes of the british, a terrorist movement.
All the americans relate george washington, alexander hamilton, and thomas jefferson as their heroes, but there is a debate whether benedict arnold was a victim or a traitor. Benedict arnolds life is deftly and sensibly recounted in light of his personality and the temper of the times. Arnold was a general during the american revolutinary war, and he fought for the. Benedict arnold and the crisis of american liberty. In the middle of the revolutionary war, he changed sides, abandoning the americans fight for independence in return for the military rank and financial reward he received in the british army. But if the overheated rhetoric was recycled, arnolds passion was genuine.
Ad 1781, when the british, under the command of the traitor benedict arnold, burnt. Since 1780 up to the present day, the story of benedict arnold is still being debated. General washington had anticipated that personal gain and greed might lead to future trouble for the cause when, less than a year before the. The young arnold benedict arnolds family had been in america for many years. Why benedict arnold turned traitor against the american. Valiant ambition tells of benedict arnolds turn from hero to traitor. Discover librarianselected research resources on benedict arnold from the. Discover delightful childrens books with prime book box, a subscription that. Traitor to the cause revolutionary war leaders paperback february 1, 2000 by norma jean lutz author. Thereafter his name became an epithet for traitor in the united states upon the outbreak of hostilities at lexington, massachusetts april 1775, arnold. It presents not a single new fact about arnold and his time.
All any of us know about benedict arnold is that he was a traitor to our country. A traitor, but once a patriot the onetime war hero chose a path of betrayal after becoming disillusioned with the cause. Overall, benedict arnold should not be only remembered for being a traitor since he was basically forced out in believing in the american cause. We cannot guarantee that benedict arnold book is in the library, but if you are still not sure with the service, you can choose free trial service. A study of the life and character of the brilliant revolutionary war general who deserted to the british for money.
What drove benedict arnold to give up the patriot cause and turn. Benedict arnold the world traitor from america history essay. Benedict arnold was an american military officer who served as a general during the american. As was pointed out, he resigned with the us army and his. Benedict arnold his name is synonymous with treason. American general during the revolutionary war who became a traitor to the american cause. Benedicts birth record lists his date as 03 jan 17401. Gates and arnold argued over how to stop the british army. And he had donated much of his own personal money to the cause. Benedict arnolds name might be the first that comes to mind when we think of treason not just because he was a traitor, but because he was such an unlikely one. Benedict arnold was born in 1741, to a family whose ancestors were among the first to come to rhode island. One critic said that he was a mean mercenary, who, having adopted a cause for the sake. Benedict arnold 17411801 was an early american hero of the. Despite the fact that the arnolds, as a family, were well established among the elite of that colony, arnold s father liked the drink a.
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