Penguin Books
448 Pages
Nathaniel Philbrick seems to get a lot of reviews in this Presidential Reading Project, with both good reasons and not so good reasons. Philbrick is a historian who tends to write a lot of books, mostly in a folksy, easy way. That’s the good and the bad in a nutshell. His book, Valiant Ambition is much like the last book review I wrote about Edward J. Lender’s book, Franklin and Washington. It is less a biography of George Washington and more a companion piece to get more into the nitty gritty of one particular event in Washington’s life.
Valiant Ambition explores the relationship between George Washington and Benedict Arnold as the latter turns his back on his former friend and takes up arms in the name of the King of England. Arnold, in the early days of the war, was a brilliant and successful leader. His success in defeat at Valcour on Lake Champlain significantly slowed the British advance into the Hudson River Valley, which would have essentially cut the colonies in two. Even in defeat, Arnold saved the fledgling country from disaster. Arnold had already been involved with an ill-advised invasion of Quebec the previous winter, but was successful in preventing a rapid British advance.
Despite these defeats, or perhaps because of his tenacity in defeat, Arnold won the respect of George Washington and Horatio Gates. However, he butted heads with others in the army, leading to Congress shying away from promotions that rightfully should have gone to him. After being wounded and passed over for a number of promotions, Arnold began to sour on serving any longer with the Continentals. He continued to serve admirably, even though he was disgruntled, through Rhode Island in 1777 and then in Saratoga, where he was wounded once again.
In the meantime, George Washington was struggling with his campaigns. As supreme commander, he found himself without a victory while Horatio Gates scored a major triumph at Saratoga. Uncertainty of his continued leadership plagued Washington after Burgoyne surrendered to Gates. Ultimately, as we all know, Washington remained in command and eventually oversaw the surrender of the British Army at Yorktown.
Throughout these trials and tribulations, Washington and Arnold maintained a respectful relationship. Washington supported Arnold against the pleadings of other generals and some members of Congress. When Washington learns that Arnold has betrayed him and nearly given away West Point to the enemy, he is aghast and angry. An angry George Washington would have been a sight to behold. He did not countenance such betrayal within the ranks, enlisted or officers alike.
Philbrick explores this evolving relationship between Washington and Arnold. The author seems to have a tendency to be a bit dismissive with Washington, but plays Arnold as a wronged man, even after his defection. While Arnold may have had a valid complaint about being passed over for promotion, he had a deeper insecurity about himself that should not have led to Philbrick’s glorification of him. The author has written other books about Washington that seem more balanced, but this one is skewed heavily in favor of Arnold, attempting to justify treason. That is what turned me off about this book. While I liked some of the historical components of the Revolution being told, the overt hero worship of Benedict Arnold at the expense of George Washington rubbed me the wrong way. One sold out his country. The other led a new nation. There is no comparison.
Valiant Ambition by Nathaniel Philbrick is by far my least favorite of the several books I’ve read by him. It is a skewed retelling of history. Yes, he looks at Arnold’s actions in a new light, but he makes an error by becoming too close to the subject and admiring the man. Benedict Arnold was a complicated man, yes, but this is a step too far. Read this book only at your own discretion.
Craig Bacon knows that George Washington has been hero-worshiped for over two centuries, hiding the real man. However, transferring that worship to another man is a mistake.
NEXT UP: In the Hurricane’s Eye by Nathaniel Philbrick