Today's Sunday Stealing is bought to you by the letter B for Books. {{grin}}
1. Why did you pick the book?
It looked interesting.
2. What did you think about the book?
Very well researched, very well told, brilliant.
3. What do you know about the author?
He received an BA from Brown in English, and MA in American Literature from Duke and he is from Boston. Although he is not an educated historian, he is well researched when writing his books. I often had to stop reading and check his footnotes, which is something historians are trained to do ((footnotes, footnotes, footnotes, notes, notes, notes)).
4. What’s the most memorable scene?
"Unlike Benedict Arnold, Joseph Plumb Martin had long since resigned himself to the necessity of fulfilling his obligations to his country even though "she failed in fulfilling hers with me." In the end, Martin decided, "The case was much like that of a loyal and faithful husband and light -heeled wanton of a wife. But I forgive her and hope she will do better in {the} future."
**Martin was a soldier in the Continental Army & Connecticut Militia during the Revolutionary War. He kept well known diaries during this time.
5. How did the book make you feel?
Proud to be an American and quite concerned about the present events.
6. How do you feel about the way the story was told?
Excellent. It is always refreshing to read history through a fresh perspective.
7. Which parts of the book stood out to you?
Discussing WHY and HOW Benedict Arnold became a traitor and the treachery involved.
8. Which specific parts of the protagonist can you relate to?
Not specifically but the people who wanted to bring Great Britain to their knees and the colonies who wanted to be free from tyranny.
9. Which character did you relate to the most?
Not that I am dishing my man George. But, probably George Washington, who wasn't much of a soldier (contrary to popular belief, he got lucky on the battlefield), but he loved the idea of not being under tyranny. He wrote in his diaries,
"Few people have the virtue to withstand the highest bidder. The foundation of our national society will be laid in the pure and immutable principles of private morality, and the preeminence of free government to be exemplified by all the attributes which can win the affections of its citizens and command the respect of the world."
10. Share a line or passage from the book.
"The passage of the Declaration of Independence had forced Americans to make a choice-
either side with the newly created United States or declare their continued loyalty to the British King."
11. What did you think about the ending?
How about I just write it and you can think for yourself.
Washington had no illusions abut Benedict Arnold. Soon after Andre's execution, John Lauren wrote to Washington insisting that the traitor must now be racked by a "mental hell." Washington disagreed. The intensity of Arnold's self absorption meant that he was incapable of regret, or as Washington wrote in response to Laurens," He wants feeling!... While his faculties will enable him to continue his sordid pursuits, there will be no time for remorse." It had been revealed to him dangerously late, but Washington now knew his man.
P.S. Whatever happened to Benedict Arnold? Why he escaped to London and than later too Canada and fought in the French Revolutionary War in 1792 was he was held for spying for Great Britain on the island of Guadeloupe and was narrowly hung for treason. He lived out his remaining years in now Ontario. He died of delirium bought on by gout an dropsy.
12. Is the story plot driven or character driven?
Both
13. If the book was made into a movie, what changes or decisions would you hope for?
Actually, it was made into a TV show, "Turn; Washington's Spies"-it was an excellent show.
14. How did the book change you?
Change me? It caused me to realize there is a faction in what is going on today how there is a underbelly of traitor/treasonous behavior going on. One sees it everyday. From the Speaker of the House running her mouth to the riots going on.
Yep, I went there.