The real Benedict Arnold / by Jim Murphy.

Title :

The real Benedict Arnold

Author:

Murphy, Jim, 1947-

Format:

Books

Summary:

"Drawing on Arnold's surviving writings and on the letters, memoirs, and political documents of his contemporaries ... a fascinating portrait of a brilliant man, consistently undervalued by his peers, who made a choice that continues to reverberate through American history."

Language:

English

Audience:

Ages: 10 & up.

ISBN - ISSN:

0395776090

9780395776094

Physical Description:

264 pages : illustrations, maps ; 26 cm

Contents:

Most brilliant soldier -- You are accountable -- Be ye also ready -- Reputation of unsullied honor -- Good God are the Americans all asleep? -- None but Almighty God shall prevent my marching -- I have resigned my commission -- Our gallant colonel -- Forlorn hope -- He will turn out a great man -- Gallant defense -- By heavens I will have justice -- Devilish fighting fellow -- You will hear of my being victorious -- Inspired by the fury of a demon -- We'll have them all in hell -- I am heartily tired -- On you alone my happiness depends -- Because I might have done wrong -- Whom can we trust now? -- Nil Desperandum -- Notes, sources, and related asides -- Index.

Subject:

American loyalists -- Biography -- Juvenile literature.

Generals -- United States -- Biography -- Juvenile literature.

American loyalists -- Biography.

Generals -- United States -- Biography.

United States -- History -- Revolution, 1775-1783 -- Juvenile literature.

United States -- History -- Revolution, 1775-1783.

United States -- History -- 1775-1783, Revolution.

Arnold, Benedict, 1741-1801 -- Juvenile literature.

Arnold, Benedict, 1741-1801.

United States. Continental Army -- Biography -- Juvenile literature.

United States. Continental Army -- Biography.

First Title value, for Searching:

The real Benedict Arnold / by Jim Murphy.

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Summary

Packed with military adventure and political intrigue, this tautly written account shows the human side of an American villain and seeks the man behind the rumors and legends: the real Benedict Arnold.

Every account of the American Revolution mentions Benedict Arnold and brands him--correctly--as a traitor. There's no question that Arnold, an American army officer, switched his loyalty to the British side. Over the years, however, historians, partisans, and gossips have added to Arnold's unsavory reputation by distorting, embroidering, or simply ignoring factual details.

In this informed and thoughtful account, Jim Murphy goes in search of the real man behind the "traitor" label, rumors, and folktales that became part of the Benedict Arnold legend. Drawing on Arnold's few surviving writings and on the letters, memoirs, and political documents of his contemporaries, Murphy builds a fascinating portrait of a brilliant man, consistently undervalued by his peers, who made a choice that continues to reverberate through American history.

Dramatic accounts of crucial battles and political maneuvers round out this lively biography of a patriot who could have been a hero.

A School Library Journal Best Book of the Year * An ALA Booklist Best Biography of the Year

Author Notes

Jim Murphy 's nonfiction books have received numerous awards, among them two Newbery Honors, the Sibert Medal, three Orbis Pictus awards, the Margaret A. Edwards award, the James Madison Book Award, and a National Book Award nomination. Born and raised in New Jersey, Jim lives in Maplewood, NJ, with his family.
jimmurphybooks.com.

Reviews (5)

Publisher's Weekly Review

The two-faced silhouette of Benedict Arnold on the cover of Murphy's (An American Plague) biography furnishes a telling image: one profile looks sharp and stately; the other has the crooked features and sinister frown typical of a villain. Readers will find both versions here. While tracing Arnold's life, Murphy challenges the myths that have defamed Arnold and points to some disappointments that led him to betray the nation, in the process revealing an outspoken and oft-abused soldier who had few allies in the American Congress and who was often stymied by personal and professional disloyalty toward him. Because Arnold did not keep a diary and because his letters were burned after his death, Murphy draws on official documents and his knowledge of Revolutionary times to make bold inferences about the "real" Arnold's beliefs. Introducing each chapter with a quotation, Murphy emphasizes Arnold's will to persevere in the face of devastation and provides readers with the opportunity to predict, discover and reflect on the line's meaning as each chapter unfolds. The author's consideration of other historians' theories and use of sophisticated vocabulary will challenge his audience to think critically and consider all points of view. Ages 10-up. (Oct.) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved

Horn Book Review

(Middle School, High School) Murphy examines both rumors and facts about Arnold so that readers can "see Benedict Arnold in as fair and as objective a way as possible." Much of this examination, particularly the political machinations of the Continental Congress and Arnold's military record, involves tremendous detail to get beyond a he-said/he-said account; occasionally that detail results in a loss of focus, especially in the descriptions of the Quebec campaign and the aftermath of Ticonderoga. Still, such background provides a less-familiar picture of the rebel forces than the traditional textbook one of spirited colonists fighting on principle for a united cause. Tactical and political mistakes come to the forefront, along with the ugly gossip that results in Arnold's early rejection by many military (with the notable exception of George Washington) and political leaders. Murphy addresses Arnold's sacrifice and strategy at Saratoga, as well as several points of view explaining why this battle was the turning point not only in the war but also in Arnold's loyalties. Showing respect for his audience, Murphy leaves the ultimate judging to his readers. Detailed source notes and an index complete the book. From HORN BOOK, (c) Copyright 2010. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

Booklist Review

*Starred Review* In his opening chapter, Murphy describes his difficult task: to expose at least some of the rumors and folktales . . . so that we can see Benedict Arnold in as fair and objective a way as possible. This is no small feat since Arnold is one of the most vilified figures in American history, and Murphy found few primary sources to consult. Arnold kept no personal diary, and his wife burned his letters after his death. Using Arnold's surviving military journals and political documents, Murphy carefully contrasts popular myth with historical fact; one of the greatest strengths of the book is that Murphy never goes beyond his documentation to speculate. As far as possible, he meticulously traces Arnold's life, revealing a complex man who was actually as much admired as he was loathed. The opening chapters are slow, but the pace picks up quickly thereafter, and the accounting of Arnold's military campaigns is riveting. Especially fascinating is the description of a civil and military leadership incompetent, ambitious, and greedy that consistently undervalued and undermined Arnold. The chapters dealing with Arnold's treason are taut and suspenseful, and reveal much about how he is regarded today. Perhaps we can never know the real Arnold, but this splendid biography brings us close. The final section, Notes, Sources and Related Asides, provides fascinating reading as well as additional resources.--Rutan, Lynn Copyright 2007 Booklist

School Library Journal Review

Gr 7 Up-Murphy takes a fair and objective look at the man whose name is synonymous with treason. He paints a portrait of Arnold as a complicated and proud man who was capable, brave, quick-thinking, and idealistic as well as thin-skinned, quarrelsome, and unwilling to compromise. Murphy traces Arnold's entire life, examining his childhood and pre-military business career and then describing in great detail the campaigns and battles of his mostly successful military career. The strength of the book is his discussion of the highly political atmosphere and the weaknesses of the American government during the Revolution. Those weaknesses allowed the development of a crony system that rewarded the military leaders who were successful at the political game and failed to recognize Arnold's talents, leaving him the bitter and disillusioned man who lost faith in his cause and defected to the British side. The author also covers Arnold's post-Revolution life and his legacy of vilification on both sides of the Atlantic. The text is supplemented with fine-quality reproductions, period art, and maps of battles and campaigns. Murphy's comprehensive coverage of Arnold's life will help readers gain a fuller understanding of the man's contributions to the Revolution and the reasons for his treason. Report writers may get frustrated by the exhaustive detail, but buffs of the era, military enthusiasts, and biography readers will be entranced by this fascinating, well-researched volume.-Mary Mueller, Rolla Junior High School, MO (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

Kirkus Review

The name Benedict Arnold has become synonymous with the word "traitor," but the real Benedict Arnold is a more complicated entity. Since Arnold wrote no personal history or diary, and his wife burned his letters, much of this volume relies on "what ifs," "must haves," "seems to be" and "there's no telling." Murphy starts with Arnold's birth and works forward, but for young readers who may know little about Arnold, starting with the exciting scenes first--the British invasion from Canada, the Battle of Saratoga and Arnold's plot to surrender West Point to the British--would better hook readers. They would then be more willing to follow the examination of Arnold's early life for clues as to what would make a war hero turn traitor. The volume is attractively designed, with numerous reproductions of paintings, engravings and drawings sprinkled throughout, though even more would be welcome to break up long, dense sections of text. As always, Murphy's prose is clear and detailed, and his source notes are interesting. An important addition to collections on the American Revolution. (index) (Nonfiction. 10+) Copyright ©Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.

1 The Most Brilliant Soldier	p. 4
2 You Are Accountable	p. 5
3 Be Ye Also Ready	p. 13
4 A Reputation of Unsullied Honor	p. 22
5 Good God Are the Americans All Asleep?	p. 35
6 None but Almighty God Shall Prevent My Marching	p. 47
7 I Have Resigned My Commission	p. 57
8 Our Gallant Colonel	p. 63
9 The Forlorn Hope	p. 78
10 He Will Turn Out a Great Man	p. 93
11 The Gallant Defense	p. 102
12 By Heavens I Will Have Justice	p. 114
13 A Devilish Fighting Fellow	p. 124
14 You Will Hear of My Being Victorious	p. 133
15 Inspired by the Fury of a Demon	p. 144
16 We'll Have Them All in Hell	p. 158
17 I Am Heartily Tired	p. 168
18 On You Alone My Happiness Depends	p. 178
19 Because I Might Have Done Wrong	p. 187
20 Whom Can We Trust Now?	p. 200
21 Nil Desperandum	p. 215
Notes, Sources, and Related Asides	p. 234
Index	p. 256

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Bound With These Titles

On Order

Summary

Summary

Author Notes

Reviews (5)

Publisher's Weekly Review

Horn Book Review

Booklist Review

School Library Journal Review

Kirkus Review

Table of Contents