The Tragedy of Benedict Arnold

March 12, 2018
Malcolm (Peter’s War: A New England Slave Boy and the American Revolution) adds to the crowded field of Benedict Arnold biographies with a solid if unremarkable work whose stated intention is “not to condone Arnold but to understand” him. Malcolm starts with Arnold’s difficult upbringing in a household disgraced by his father’s business failures and alcoholism, before moving on to Arnold’s early business ventures, including starting a combination drugstore and bookstore in New Haven, and then tracing his evolution as a soldier. As Malcolm notes, Arnold’s growth into someone considered “the most brilliant officer on either side of the Revolutionary War” is all the more impressive given that he entered that conflict with no actual military experience. According to Malcolm, Arnold’s betrayal was the culmination of his “lifelong struggle for honor and respect,” and repeated professional slights, such as being passed over for promotions and the unwarranted micromanagement of his expenses, ultimately led from discontent to treason. Malcolm’s unsourced speculation about Arnold’s thoughts raises questions about methodology, and she never manages to make her subject come across as a living, breathing person. It’s a readable account of a remarkable life, but there isn’t much here to distinguish this from the many books about Arnold.

April 1, 2018
An attempt to bring understanding, if not forgiveness, to the story of Benedict Arnold (1741-1801).Examining a variety of primary sources, including Russell M. Lea's 2008 publication of Arnold's war correspondence and other Arnold papers "recently discovered in Quebec," Malcolm (George Mason Univ. School of Law; Peter's War: A New England Slave Boy and the American Revolution, 2009, etc.) dives further into the psyche of the man synonymous with the word "traitor." His ability as a soldier, acknowledged even by the British, and continued heroics indicate a truly talented, heroic patriot who dedicated his life, lost his fortune, and suffered crippling injury for the American cause. Arnold was also rash and impetuous, and his pride and successes made many enemies. The micromanaging of the Army by the Congress made such rivalries more common, as they often appointed ill-qualified but well-connected leaders. After Ticonderoga, Arnold led a heroic trek through the bleak winter landscape to meet up with Gen. Philip Schuyler at Montreal. But Col. Roger Enos abandoned that trek and left with a third of Arnold's force. Even so, Arnold was successful at Montreal and then built a fleet of shallow draft boats on Lake Champlain to block the British. At Saratoga, Gen. Horatio Gates disliked him intensely and confined Arnold to his tent. Not to be held back, he led the leaderless army to turn the battle, but he was also grievously injured. George Washington sent him to Philadelphia to lead, a huge mistake since Arnold had very little political ability. He was often denied pay and promotions, and a series of false accusations pushed him over the edge. Others would suffer similarly and resign their commissions, but Arnold felt the war was lost and turned to the British. The author does her best to paint her subject as underappreciated--and is mostly successful in that endeavor--and she rejects the accusations that his wife drove him to treason.Readers will decide if Arnold's choices were forced upon him or if he was, indeed, flawed. Malcolm provides plenty to consider.

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April 15, 2018

Malcolm (law, George Mason Univ.; Peter's War) reopens the case against American military general Benedict Arnold (1740-1801) and his wife, Peggy Shippen (1760-1804), suggesting that history has perhaps been too hard on the traitorous pair. Malcolm makes it clear that this book does not condone Arnold's actions during the Revolutionary War but rather attempts to place them within a broader historical context in order to understand his decisions, not attack them. In doing so, Malcolm presents a compelling case that Arnold was a man of his time and that Shippen was innocent, despite her characterization as a manipulative woman who tricked her husband into betraying his country. The author's research also reveals the deep divide inside the revolutionary cause itself and its impact on Arnold throughout his early life and career. Malcolm's research is rooted in the historiography of Arnold but is not derivative. Instead, this work acknowledges and builds on more than a century of writings on the subject, bringing a fresh perspective by making use of resources only recently discovered (Arnold's war correspondence, namely). VERDICT A compelling read for anyone interested in early American biographies.--Jessica Holland, Univ. of Kentucky, Lexington

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