The notorious Benedict Arnold : a true story of adventure, heroism, & treachery / Steve Sheinkin

Includes bibliographical references (p. 310-317) and index.

Prologue : October 2, 1780 -- January 14, 1741 -- 1751/1762 -- 1762/1775 -- April 19/May 9, 1775 -- May 10/May 15 -- May 18/June 19, 1775 -- June 1775 -- July 1/September 18, 1775 -- September 18/October 17, 1775 -- October 19/October 29, 1775 -- October 29/November 8, 1775 -- September/November 1775 -- November 8/December 30, 1775 -- December 31, 1775 -- January 1/February 27, 1776 -- January/July 1776 -- May 6/July 28, 1776 -- August 1/October 11, 1776 -- October 11, 1776 -- October 12/November 2, 1776 -- November 1776/April 1777 -- January 4/April 25, 1777 -- April 25/July 11, 1777 -- July 11/August 24, 1777 -- August 28/September 20, 1777 -- September 1777 -- September 20/October 7, 1777 -- October 8, 1777/January 20, 1778 -- November 1777/April 1778 -- April 1/June 19, 1778 -- June 20/September 14, 1778 -- September 25, 1778/February 28, 1779 -- September 1778/April 1779 -- April 8/May 7, 1779 -- May 10/May 30, 1779 -- June 1779/July 1780 -- July 31/September 17, 1780 -- September 19/September 22, 1780 -- September 22/September 23, 1780 -- September 23/September 25, 1780 -- September 25, 1780 -- September 26/October 2, 1780 -- October 3/November 14, 1780 -- Epilogue: 1780/1804.

American history is brought to life in this engaging story of revolution and treason. Most people know very little about Benedict Arnold-only that he was a traitor during the American War of Independence. Sheinkin recounts the tale of a larger-than-life persona, from his uncertain boyhood to his immense popularity as an unpredictable, yet brilliant, commander in the American army, and finally, to his end days, living in London, despised and disgraced. The story of Arnold's bravery and his rise in the esteem of the colonists is played out against the political squabbling and fears the Continental Congress had about military figures becoming too powerful and upsetting the delicate democracy they were busy creating. Through letters, journals, historic accounts, and other resources, Sheinkin keeps readers wanting to know what will happen next. Short, episodic chapters titled with relevant dates are an effective way to pace various battles-on the field and off-and understand their place in the larger picture of the war. Other key figures are well developed in the narrative. Seeing a glimpse of these personalities makes their subsequent actions believable and meaningful. The Notorious Benedict Arnold is likely to make readers want to learn more about the American Revolution and its players, great and small. Source notes at the end of the book allow them to do just that.