Valiant Ambition: George Washington, Benedict Arnold, and the Fate of the American Revolution (The American Revolution Series) Book Cover May Vary Paperback – May 9, 2017

This is an honest and interesting treatment of the American Revolution from the perspective of its most famous person, George Washington, and it's most infamous person, Benedict Arnold. What the author does is provide a very good portrait of Arnold as a brave and brilliant, if brash, military officer and strategist, along with his ignoble traits of vanity and self interest. This is contrasted with Washington, who is portrayed as a not so brilliant strategist, and learning through mistakes to become a great military leader. But the author confirms what we believe, that Washington is not a vain person and exhibits through his actions and writings a purpose that is in the best interests of the people and our country.Besides the British, the greatest problem for Washington is the incessant meddling in his affairs by the Continental Congress, which for the most part appears to be acting on behalf of the special interests of the various state factions that form the government. This also creates major problems for Arnold, who is passed over many times for legitimate promotions in rank, by a disapproving Congress. It is possible that his treason would not have occurred had Congress behaved in a fair and equitable way and properly recognized his military accomplishments.As the book draws to a conclusion, the author describes Arnold's predictable slide into treason, the part of the story we are all know from the version of American History taught in grade school. Some reviews say that the book ends without a proper conclusion. I am guessing that they would like more information on Arnold after he defected and some more details on his military exploits under the British Flag. But I think the author, being a writer interested in American History, might have another book in mind as a sequel to this one. All in all I think the author provided a well balanced and unbiased description of events.I found the TV miniseries TURN, about Washington's Spy Ring, to provide a very interesting look at this period. Clearly the screenwriters have taken some Hollywood liberties concerning historical accuracy. Although the focus is on espionage, it covers the battles of the period starting around late 1776 to the end of 1781 with the siege of Yorktown. And besides the main characters of the Spy Ring, it includes a good portrayal of George Washington and Benedict Arnold and takes on the whole affair of Arnold's treason, including the roles of Andre and Peggy Shippen. It also goes beyond Philbrick's book to let us know the fate of these characters after the revolution.I can also recommend another book for Revolutionary War history buffs: The Life of George Washington, by John Marshall. Besides a complete biography of Washington, the book covers all the military battles fought throughout the 13 colonies and Canada. It is also where I first learned about the Continental Congress interfering with Washington's prosecution of the war. Post war, when Washington is President, it describes some of the major events, particularly the delicate problem of the French Revolution, that affected his presidency. It is an interesting book if you like American History.

"Valiant Ambition" is well-written and pleasant to read. The historiography is good. Philbrick basically 'follows the money' to show the motivations of the players. It covers the middle years of the Revolution. Benedict Arnold plays an outsized role, as well he should. He began as one of the most capable American generals. He became disillusioned by the ineptitude of the Continental Congress (no authority to levy taxes or conscript troops or impose a theatre-wide command structure), by pettiness, graft, and office-seeking of prominent colonists, and by disunity among the states. He felt he deserved to get rich and famous. His young, beautiful, and manipulative loyalist second wife helped to seduce him to the dark side where he became the traitor who almost "threw" the war to the British and in the process galvanized the Patriots to realize that the war was theirs to win or lose. This book is part of a trilogy, so start with volume 1 that covers pre-war events, and focuses on the early years of the war in New England.

If you're checking out the reviews of Nathaniel Philbrick's book, it means you are drawn to books about American history. And if you are, you will want to read this book. Philbrick is a fine writer, and he does his usual skillful job of making history exciting, without sacrificing accuracy or injecting hyperbole. We all know the basics of Benedict Arnold's treachery, but I bet-like me--you are unaware of the details. Philbrick gives us the incredible background, reminding us the American Revolution was far from the straight-line march to glory and success of the underdog Colonists that too many history books and our popular culture makes it out to be. Along the way, personality clashes and vainglorious personal ambitions led to divisions that threatened to undermine the far from united Americans. Plus, the Continental Congress' ineptitude and--dare I say it--the lack of solid popular support for the Revolutionary cause left Washington's Army starving, ill-fed, and ill-clothed for large swaths of time.As an American general, Benedict Arnold accomplished mighty deeds for the American cause, and he did end up being seriously mistreated by his fellow officers. The details provide more understanding for his betrayal, although not exculpation, since financial gain was the primary motivation for his ultimate act. The account of the final hours that led to Arnold's fleeing to his, by then, British masters reads like something only a fiction writer could come up with. Washington, himself--along with Alexander Hamilton--was only minutes away from visiting West Point, commanded by Arnold, when Arnold learned that Washington, upon arrival, would receive the message revealing Arnold's treason. Arnold hastily mounted his horse and fled to his boat on the Hudson River, which conveyed him quickly to a British vessel. He lived out his not so happy life in England.Like American history? Read this book.