Square Fish The Notorious Benedict Arnold: A True Story of Adventure, Heroism & Treachery

The word 'traitor' is just about synonymous with Benedict Arnold in American history courses. Steve Sheinkin's book, however, would suggest that there is a lot more to the story than betrayal of one's country. Benedict Arnold is at turns heroic, brave, greedy, and reckless. Here is a man who would do anything to save his country even if it means becoming a traitor, something he never thought himself to be. Think you don't like nonfiction? This book is full of interesting historical nuggets told in a gripping novel fashion. The author did plenty of research to back up any and all claims made in the book as well as uncover the truth behind the real man Benedict Arnold. I could not put this book down. It's fast paced and thrilling, slowing down just enough to give the reader a sense of place and time and then moving on to the next event. In other words, The Notorious Benedict Arnold makes history enjoyable, fun, and above all else, entertaining on top of being accessible to both younger readers and those who enjoy a good biography. Get this book even if you hate history. It's so good you'll find yourself siding with Arnold from time to time even when you feel you shouldn't.

This is an incredible book by an incredible author; my brother (17) and I (25) read "Bomb" about the making of the Atomic bomb first, and this was just as well-written and readable! Some history books are incredibly dense, and refer to so many topics that happen concurrently but that you don't know about that you start to feel lost. This book is immensely readable, meaning a 12-year-old or advanced reader who is younger can also enjoy it. It reads... like a story, which is exactly how history SHOULD read. Not only that, but it is exhaustively and accurately researched; besides the pages of reference material at the back of the book, the author actually went on the famous march that Arnold took his soldiers on when he invaded Canada (didn't know THAT part of the story, did you??) with his wife via hiking, canoe, and car. Absolutely fascinating and well worth the read! P.S. I got this book for my brother for Christmas (at his request, after reading Bomb). Of course he scarfed it down in a few days. Oh yes and then I did a few days later.

When it was announced that due to adoption of "Common Core" we would have to incorporate more non-fiction into our English curriculum, I cringed. My experiences with non-fiction in general, and biographies / autobiographies in particular had been that they were dull and boring. This book, however, is anything but dull and boring. This is my second year of teaching the book to eighth grade students - and they love it. I've had students finish this over a weekend - simply because they couldn't put it down. The material is well documented, extra resources are provided, and from the research I've done, it's an accurately told story. Sheinkin brings Benedict Arnold to life and does a fine job of providing possible motivations for his turncoat behavior. My students are always amazed at how someone who appears in every way to be a true patriot and born leader can suddenly turn against his country. I highly recommend this book.

American history comes to life in this gripping biography about America’s most notorious traitor. His tale follows young Benedict Arnold’s rise in the American army and culminates with the ultimate act of betrayal: Arnold’s plan to give up America to the British. From the very beginning of the story, as Steve Sheinkin details young Arnold’s reckless youth, the reader is hooked. Through historic letters and first-person accounts, he chronologically follows Arnold’s military career, with an accessible style and vivid depiction of battles that leaves readers engaged and on the edge of their seats. Sheinkin tells the story through short chapters, using relevant dates and events to place Arnold’s adventures within the larger context of the war. He develops many important historical figures, such as George Washington and even British military officer John Andre, in order to give readers many meaningful perspectives of the events that take place in his narrative. The Notorious Benedict Arnold is a well-researched, historically accurate piece of creative fiction; Sheinkin includes his source notes at the end of the book, giving interested readers the opportunity to explore the events even further. Overall, Sheinkin does a great job recounting Arnold’s life, with his use of historical resources lending credibility to his story. The Notorious Benedict Arnold would make a worthy addition to any young adult classroom.

After my students had all read Bomb (a must-read) some wanted to go onto Benedict Arnold - a fascinating historical character, and if anything this is an even better literary read than Bomb.