Valiant Ambition

George Washington, Benedict Arnold, and the Fate of the American Revolution

By: Nathaniel Philbrick

Narrated by: Scott Brick

Length: 13 hrs and 18 mins

Publisher's summary

A New York Times best seller

Winner of the George Washington Prize

A surprising account of the middle years of the American Revolution and the tragic relationship between George Washington and Benedict Arnold, from the New York Times best-selling author of In the Heart of the Sea, Mayflower, and In the Hurricane's Eye.

"May be one of the greatest what-if books of the age - a volume that turns one of America’s best-known narratives on its head.” (Boston Globe)

"Clear and insightful, [Valiant Ambition] consolidates Philbrick's reputation as one of America's foremost practitioners of narrative nonfiction." (Wall Street Journal)

In the second book of his acclaimed American Revolution series, Nathaniel Philbrick turns to the tragic relationship between George Washington and Benedict Arnold.

In September 1776, the vulnerable Continental army under an unsure George Washington evacuated New York after a devastating defeat by the British army. Three weeks later, near the Canadian border, one of his favorite generals, Benedict Arnold, miraculously succeeded in postponing the British naval advance down Lake Champlain that might have lost the war. As this book ends, four years later, Washington has vanquished his demons, and Arnold has fled to the enemy. America was forced at last to realize that the real threat to its liberties might not come from without but from within.

Complex, controversial, and dramatic, Valiant Ambition is a portrait of a people in crisis and the war that gave birth to a nation.

©2016 Nathaniel Philbrick (P)2016 Penguin Audio

Critic reviews

"Benedict Arnold takes center stage in Nathaniel Philbrick’s vivid and in some ways cautionary tale of the Revolutionary War. The near-tragic nature of the drama hinges not on any military secrets Arnold gave to the British but on an open secret: the weakness of the patriot cause.... Arnold’s betrayal still makes for great drama, proving once again that the supposed villains of a story are usually the most interesting." (New York Times Book Review)

"Philbrick's deep scholarship, nuanced analysis, and novelistic storytelling add up to another triumph." (Publishers Weekly, starred review)

“A lively account of our Revolutions’ most reviled figure.” (Kirkus Reviews)

a good primer, but...

A good primer on the history behind Benedict Arnold's treason, but it lacks the intimate details of other biographies. Some of the details of surrounding events were in error, including the now debunked final words of Nathan Hale. To be fair, it would have been accurate to describe them as what the Americans believed to be true at the time, as that was the more important point, but accuracy in a biography such as this is paramount.

Valiant Ambition

Valiant Ambition

Philbrick tells the story of the traitor Benedict Arnold in relation to George Washington.

I always enjoy Philbrick’s work, but this was not my favorite. I had the impression he was at times a bit too critical of Gen. Washington. Pointing out obvious mistakes is one thing; passing judgment from the safety of an office nearly 250 years hence is quite another.

The author portrays Arnold honestly, warts and all. At times you may think he is an apologist for Arnold. But in the end you will find the realization that despite his crimes, Arnold was a courageous war fighter.

This is definitely worth your time if you would like a more detailed and thorough look at someone who could have gone down in history as a hero rather than a traitor had he been less concerned about his own welfare.

Benedict Arnold shows History can repeat itself

Donald Trump just like Benedict Arnold exhibits Self-serving opportunism masquerading in the guise of patriotism

Well done

Heavy lifting due to the shear volume of facts provided, but a must read for anyone interested in history.

A Story For Divisive Times

I’m a Philbrick fan and have read many, if not all, of his books. This one is as good as any of the others. It tells the story of Benedict Arnold and gives the reasons why he betrayed his country. Philbrick also cites the divisive politics of the time that illustrates the fine line between dissent and treason. It also shows the genius of George Washington in managing all the competing interests and back stabbers in our country. It’s a cautionary tale we should all review. Scott Brick narrates with his usual 5-star performance.

Who More than Country Their Self Did Love

Valiant Ambition is a worthy listen and the narration of Scott Brick is superb as always. The more I hear about the American Revolution, including the people and events that shaped it, the more amazed I am at how little I know concerning this critical time in the history of our country. I, like so many others, venerate those who played a key role in the struggle for independence against Great Britain. I have a tendency to look past the mistakes and lapses of character that our founders might have displayed. Of course, I have known of Benedict Arnold but was not fully aware of the depths of his duplicity. Philbrick’s account of Benedict Arnold and his tumultuous relationship with other leaders of the American Revolution has shed some light on this character whose name is synonymous with treason and helped to push back the shadow of ignorance, at least for me. There were two things I found the most interesting from listening to this book. One was the strength of the forces that led to Arnold’s treachery. I am referring mainly to the jealousies and rivalries that existed between revolutionary leaders that led many, not just Benedict Arnold, to put personal interests above the interests of their country. I suppose that I should not be surprised that this is so. With the exception of a few bright luminaries of American history, not much has changed in the last 250 years. The second is the idea that Philbrick introduces at the end of the book that Arnold’s treachery actually galvanized the American people and their leaders and boosted their desire and efforts to win their independence. In fact, the most disappointing aspect of the book is that Philbrick did not more deeply explore this idea. He presents it almost as an afterthought at the end of the book but leaves little space to provide evidence to support it. I am glad that I took the time to listen to the book and recommend it to any looking for new insights into the American Revolution.

Amazing look it something important

Great book. I would highly recommend it to anyone. Great story and well read. It kept me wanting to hear more.

History with Plot and Characters

Philbrick takes the shine (and the tarnish) off some of America's most famous figures and leaves them both more and less than we knew. His interpretation in the epilogue of Arnold's role in our country's history is insightful and leaves the reader wondering in a new way about the actual effect of Arnold's treason.

one of my favorites books

I loved this book from beginning to end. It is a compelling view into the drama and politics of the Continental Army mid-war. Philbrick turns these characters into real people who belong to more than just a dry textbook. This is one I will definitely listen to again.

Comprehensive yet opinionated

Good research. Interesting history that I wasn’t aware of, but sometimes too much detail. Since Philbrick used (and credited) so many historical sources, I expected a more academic, nuanced take. However, I found instead that the author seemed rather opinionated and to have drawn conclusions about individual’s motives and mental states that could only be conjectures.