Overview

A Hero and a Spy:

The Revolutionary War Correspondence of Benedict Arnold

By Russell M. Lea

From the beginning of America’s quest for independence, Benedict Arnold valiantly performed his duty in honor of his country by pursuing life, liberty, and those who threatened it. Considered by George Washington to be his “greatest fighting general,” he was a true patriot to say the least, but in his quest for glory, he initiated some political battles along the way. Driven by power, greed, and an overbearing ego, he accepted an offer from the British that he could not refuse: pay and recognition for his services. Shortly before his plot to hand over West Point was completed, his plan unraveled and he was discovered as a traitor.

Get inside the heart and mind of one of the most controversial figures in America’s history. Follow him as he leads a thousand men through raging rivers and dense forests in the uncharted territory of Maine in his 200-mile march to Quebec. Hear the deafening explosions of the guns as he commands a makeshift fleet of men to take on the most powerful naval force in the world at Valcour Island while defending Lake Champlain, firing many of the cannons himself. Ride alongside him as he charges into the blinding smoke between the lines amongst a hail of bullets at Saratoga. Witness the numerous insults to his character that eventually eroded it to the breaking point and drove him to risk all that he had in order to get what he felt was due to him. With a sense of boundless ambition and reckless impatience, he betrayed his country in a way as never before or since.

With over 100 letters written from him and over 75 written to him throughout his life’s journey, the evidence is clear; Benedict Arnold was both A Hero and a Spy. This is the story that saved the states, for if the British had successfully captured West Point, America would have lost its War of Independence. Here is the true account of seven attempts to bring down one nation under God. Read the book. See the sights. Feel the history.

A native of the historic Hudson Valley, Russell M. Lea is the author of W. P. Bicentrivia and The Long Green Line. He has adapted A Hero and a Spy into a screenplay and is currently producing a biography and a screenplay about John Paul Jones.


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		A Hero and a Spy: The Revolutionary War Correspondence of Benedict Arnold By Russell M. Lea From the beginning of America’s quest for independence, Benedict Arnold valiantly performed his duty in honor of his country by pursuing life, liberty, and those who threatened it. Considered by George Washington to be his “greatest fighting general,” he was a true patriot to say the least, but in his quest for glory, he initiated some political battles along the way. Driven by power, greed, and an overbearing ego, he accepted an offer from the British that he could not refuse: pay and recognition for his services. Shortly before his plot to hand over West Point was completed, his plan unraveled and he was discovered as a traitor. Get inside the heart and mind of one of the most controversial figures in America’s history. Follow him as he leads a thousand men through raging rivers and dense forests in the uncharted territory of Maine in his 200-mile march to Quebec. Hear the deafening explosions of the guns as he commands a makeshift fleet of men to take on the most powerful naval force in the world at Valcour Island while defending Lake Champlain, firing many of the cannons himself. Ride alongside him as he charges into the blinding smoke between the lines amongst a hail of bullets at Saratoga. Witness the numerous insults to his character that eventually eroded it to the breaking point and drove him to risk all that he had in order to get what he felt was due to him. With a sense of boundless ambition and reckless impatience, he betrayed his country in a way as never before or since. With over 100 letters written from him and over 75 written to him throughout his life’s journey, the evidence is clear; Benedict Arnold was both A Hero and a Spy. This is the story that saved the states, for if the British had successfully captured West Point, America would have lost its War of Independence. Here is the true account of seven attempts to bring down one nation under God. Read the book. See the sights. Feel the history. A native of the historic Hudson Valley, Russell M. Lea is the author of W. P. Bicentrivia and The Long Green Line. He has adapted A Hero and a Spy into a screenplay and is currently producing a biography and a screenplay about John Paul Jones.