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The Tragedy of Benedict Arnold

An American Life

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The Tragedy of Benedict Arnold

By: Joyce Lee Malcolm
Narrated by: Paul Boehmer
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Summary

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
Americas Historical Military & War Political Science Politics & Government Revolution & Founding United States War of 1812 War Military United Kingdom
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The light it sheds on the world surrounding Benedict does make his actions seem understandable, and makes one lower their regard of the original revolutionaries of the early americans. A man slighted so many times, a man of talent, confidence, and charisma, yet a proud, stubborn and at times just irritating personality.
I knew of his talents as a leader, but this book almost writes him as all conquering, a really good book. Many ‘what if’s’ surrounding the man, fascinating to think about.

New understanding of a difficult man.

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