And the Fate of the American Revolution - George Washington

Part way through reading, it is more succinct in some ways than Willard Sterne Randall, Benedict Arnold: Patriot and Traitor (1990)
There are some points of information in Philbrick that did not appear in Randall, but there is material in Randall that's not in Philbrick.
There is more detail in Randall in some aspects.

Thomas Lawrence

Well written and informative. Presents a balanced view of General Arnold's career and insights into the politics that often hobbled the Revolutionary War effort.
Would have liked to understand how General Arnold's life unfolded after his treason and escape.

What a wonderful, powerful revelation of the inextricably intertwined lives of these two men of our Revolution. Philbrick has, once again, provided context and colorful insights into historical events through careful contrast of these two powerhouses. While David McCullough brings people to life through events (e.g. John Adams; 1776), Philbrick brings events to life through the people in them. Awesome!

The author did a very good job of describing Arnold and the events leading to his committing treason. My only disappointment was that the book ended so abruptly. I would have liked to know how he got the revenge that the author alluded to.

Nathaniel Philbrick is an excellent historian. I have read most of his books, and I have always been impressed. He won a National Book Award for In the Heart of the Sea and was a Pulitzer Prize finalist for Mayflower. His latest book Valiant Ambition continues the trend. It is well-written and reflects the huge amount of research the author must have done. Philbrick also continues his style of coming up with slightly different slants on somewhat familiar history.

Valiant Ambition is the story of part of the American Revolution and the significant roles played in it by George Washington and Benedict Arnold. Potential readers may think they already know enough about those two. However, I think you probably don't. Philbrick has a way of introducing new information in all of his books. That's what makes them particularly interesting.

The book begins with Washington's major defeat by the British in New York. It then moves on through four years winding back and forth between Washington and Arnold. It will create some controversy but will certainly give readers a clearer understanding of the American people during the Revolution.

Highly recommended.

Excellent book on Benedict Arnold, and focusing on his relationship with Washington. Well-researched. But on the Kindle version, maps are very hard to read, and they are integral to understanding the battles. Get a print edition.

The author does a terrific job of leading the reader through the process of Arnold's decision to betray his country for what he feels is the greater good. His ego, and is self righteousness are on full display

This is clearly not Philbrick's best effort and pales in comparison to his previous works. He is one of my favorite authors and and the author of two of my favorite books ever.

I would divide this book into three parts.

Part I the buildup, which gives a decent albeit succinct synopsis of the many battles from the Quebec to the events of Arnold's treason. The author does a good job of knitting together the hows and whys the parties got to where they ultimately got to, although with very little detail. The logic of the parties is presented pretty simply in order to get the reader to Part II, the actual act of treason. Those looking for more details of the many battles are not going to find it here. Arnold's many acts on the battleground and even more importantly his time in Philadelphia is superficially covered, in my opinion, which may have been a deliberate act on the part of the author and for me was fine.

This of course leads up to the act of treason, Part II, which I enjoyed very much but felt could have been just as well covered in a magazine article than a book with fillers to get the reader to the gist of the book; but then again, I understand the author's desire to get the uninformed to the reason for the book. While I have read lots of material on the subject, this book weaves together all the intricacies involved in Arnold's treasonous acts and, for me at least, answered some questions that were never really dealt with fully in my many other reads. In that regard, I very much enjoyed the book. When I read books about the Revolutionary War I really enjoy following maps to see where the actual locations are and occurred. While there was one map of Major Andre's trek and I thought more maps would have been better, the narrative was good enough for me to follow his footsteps and enjoyable on that account.

As many have pointed out, what I refer to Part III, was a total dud. It just ends, which is fine for me as I have read elsewhere about the after for Arnold, but those looking for more, this is not it.

From my perspective, those readers who are informed of the many battles, much better covered elsewhere, just skip to when Arnold becomes military Governor of Philadelphia. For those wanting a quick synopsis of the Revolutionary battles up to the time of Arnold's treasonous acts, this book does a decent job.

This is a fascinating--but ultimately somewhat unsatisfying--book. The volume juxtaposes Benedict Arnold and George Washington. The title indicates the link between them. Valiance and ambition. Both demonstrated great valor and both had ambitions.

One sees that with Washington during the French and Indian War. He felt underappreciated by the British--ambition not realized. He also showed great valor--such as after Braddock's defeat. In the Revolutionary War, he showed almost reckless valor, taking chances that might not have been wise for a commanding general. Just, so, Benedict Arnold, who showed great courage and suffered from it (wounds in battle). He was also very prickly about not getting the recognition and promotions that he thought due him. Washington appreciated Arnold's strengths--but was also discomfited by some of Arnold's characteristics.

Arnold's record was solid--whether the invasion of Canada, whether commanding his fleet on Lake Ticonderoga, whether his heroism at Saratoga. Valor was there for all to see. Just so with Washington. He was often at the front before or during a battle--probably not a good idea for a commanding general.

A key part of the book is describing why Arnold's valor and his ambition led him to betray his country. One interesting factor here is the possible role that his wife, Peggy Shippen, may have played in his turn toward the British. The story of his plan to turn the fortifications at West Point over to the British is well told.

In the end, an interesting story of two warriors who were valorous and ambitious. But I am not sure that the equation of Arnold and Washington works that well. . . .

Philbrick is one of my all time favorite authors, but he was off his game here.

The book details the events leading up to Benedict Arnold's treason, in which he tried to hand over West Point to the British very well. If your interest is in Arnold, I am sure you will enjoy the book, but fans of George Washington may be disappointed. He is almost a minor character here, seen often from afar, through Arnold's point of view.

The book frankly cuts off quite abruptly, even an epilogue chapter, " A Nation of Traitors" did not feel me in as to what happened to Arnold after he escaped to the British side.

Philbrick, as I said, is awfully good and I was pulled along through the exciting story, but when the central character of a book is as self centered as this, it is tough to feel sorry for him, even if Philbrick often seems to be going for that.

A drama between Arnold and Washington amongst the backdrop of the American Revolution makes for a very revealing story. Both men were hurt to the core. Arnold felt that Washington failed to support his accomplishments in battle and the recognition he felt he deserved. Washington was so hurt by the disappointment of Arnold's lack of loyalty to him and the cause. Arnold was one of America's greatest military tacticians but failed to garner the support of the colonial government in terms of rank support. And he had a legitimate beef. But the manner in which he chose to show his dissatisfaction was inexcusable. And in the end he might have received the recognition that he thought he deserved and the retaliation against the Americans, but he goes down in American history as a despicable traitor. The ends did not justify the means. Even though I thought Arnold was a brilliant soldier and leader, he turned this ability in the wrong direction. Had Brittan not surrendered, I wonder how his world's epitaph might have read. And Washington committed many battle ground errors as well as leadership miscues when it came to Arnold. Washington's support of Arnold came too late. On the other hand, had Washington not held sway over the revolutionary republic, the emerging United States would have faltered miserably. So both me had their strengths and weaknesses. Time finally favored Washington and Arnold never got the recognition he thought he so rightfully deserved. And in my opinion, he got just the recognition he ultimately deserved.

A drama between Arnold and Washington amongst the backdrop of the American Revolution makes for a very revealing story. Both men were hurt to the core. Arnold felt that Washington failed to support his accomplishments in battle and the recognition he felt he deserved. Washington was so hurt by the disappointment of Arnold's lack of loyalty to him and the cause. Arnold was one of America's greatest military tacticians but failed to garner the support of the colonial government in terms of rank support. And he had a legitimate beef. But the manner in which he chose to show his dissatisfaction was inexcusable. And in the end he might have received the recognition that he thought he deserved and the retaliation against the Americans, but he goes down in American history as a despicable traitor. The ends did not justify the means. Even though I thought Arnold was a brilliant soldier and leader, he turned this ability in the wrong direction. Had Brittan not surrendered, I wonder how his world's epitaph might have read. And Washington committed many battle ground errors as well as leadership miscues when it came to Arnold. Washington's support of Arnold came too late. On the other hand, had Washington not held sway over the revolutionary republic, the emerging United States would have faltered miserably. So both me had their strengths and weaknesses. Time finally favored Washington and Arnold never got the recognition he thought he so rightfully deserved. And in my opinion, he got just the recognition he ultimately deserved.

Philnrick gives an insightful and highly entertaining look at the in depth back stories behind the famous and not so well known figures during this period in American history. In the hands of Philbreck, these people become three-dimensional as the reader comes to understand their motivations and passions. For me it was a real page turner.

Interesting history and learned new stuff about Washington and Arnold and of course Hamilton but it got bogged down in unnecessary detail at times. If you love the revolutionary war period, this is definitely worth a read.

Nathaniel Philbrick is one of the top American historical writers. He belongs on the same list as David McCullough, Edmund Morris, and Doris Kearns Goodwin. Doesn't get bogged down in minutia, but doesn't skimp on facts.

The American experiment is revealed in detail. From the brilliance of Arnold to his ultimate downfall. An amazing story unfolds about the difficulty facing the Continental Army. George Washington is humanized as the book reveals all his failings.