Reading about the most famous traitor in American history is not something I’d generally do. But I heard good reviews for The Notorious Benedict Arnold: A True Story of Adventure, Heroism & Treachery and it seemed like another small piece of history could be filled in for me. Truth is I knew very little about Arnold, other than what I learned from other Revolutionary War books where he was a bit actor.

Author Steve Sheinkin has done a marvelous job of taking a hard to like man and turning him into an inspiring figure. Well, at least he was inspiring at the beginning. The whole treason thing wasn’t so inspiring. But that’s what makes this book interesting. Arnold was a complicated man, and Sheinkin helps us see how his history, personal angst, ambition, and equal parts self-confidence and self-doubt drove him to betraying his new country.

There are times when Sheinkin might go overboard in his admiration for the pre-treason Arnold. Yes, Arnold was an important and critical general for the Colonial Army. But did he actually save the revolution not once, not twice, but three times? That’s a tall claim, and one that is hard to fully accept.

Nevertheless, Arnold was a key part of the fight for independence. And he was shamefully treated by his peers, Congress, and others. But he brought a lot of that on himself with his flamboyant style and self-promotion. He was definitely not above reproach, and that brought him down.

If you are a fan of Revolutionary War history, this is a must read book. You’ll enjoy it.