Dark Eagle

by John Ensor Harr

Book Overview

An epic novel of the American Revolution, and the dramatic story of the rise and fall of Benedict ArnoldThe Indians called him "Dark Eagle" out of respect for both his military genius and his... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0670887048
• ISBN13: 9780670887040
• Release Date: October 1999
• Publisher: Viking Books
• Length: 522 Pages
• Weight: 2.15 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.7" x 6.6" x 9.6"

Customer Reviews

Another Look at a Once Great American.

No doubt the case of Benedict Arnold gets short shrift in most elemental high school text books. As a result, Arnold is seen as a murky figure (Dark Eagle?) who betrayed his country at the very moment of its birth in order to improve his own lot. This is a partial truth. In fact, Arnold was America's greatest fighting General throughout the early years of the Revolutionary War (as Washington was the greatest retreating General in that same conflict....no disrepect intended), and for multiple, purely political reasons dealing with the different states' insecurities, he was perhaps the least recognized. In fact, he financed his entire army, and never received adequate recognition or reimbursement from the Congress. In any event, the book makes a compelling case for Arnold. It is wonderfully written, hard to put down. The reader is mesmerized by the injustices done to General Arnold, and saddened by his ultimate treason. Brought sharply into focus are many other players on that stage, including Washington, Major John Andre and a host of mediocre Generals who were green with envy at Arnold's prowess. There is a reason for such books to be written: we must learn from our errors and see that they are not repeated.

FASCINATING

I've never been fascinated by the Revolutionary War, being content with a sketchy high school history and mental images of the Minutemen at Lexington, Washington at Valley Forge, and Cornwallis at Yorktown. Some latent interest in the wild card of the war--Benedict Arnold--prompted me to pick up DARK EAGLE from the shelf. Glad I did! Beginning with the known facts of the life of Arnold and his peers, Harr has woven a lively portrait of a tactical genius and future traitor into a colorful narrative of the crucial war years. We get to see the man and his conflicts from many viewpoints, including that of his young second wife, his superior officers, even his British adversaries. I also found the converging story of young Major John Andre to be an engaging, though tragic, story in itself. All in all, a rewarding read for buffs - and semibuffs like myself.

Get to Know Benedict Arnold

Like most people, I know the name Benedict Arnold very well. What I did not know, however, was just exactly what it was that he did that made his name THE synonym for traitor. Now I know.In his novel Dark Eagle, John Ensor Harr has taken a person known by name only to most of us and made him a real person. Now we know why he did what he did. Of course, I can't go into details as it would spoil the fun for everyone else. And trust me on this one, it is fun. Suffice it to say, if you have ever wondered just what did this guy do to deserve such a bad name, you really want to read this book. It is a great read; Hollywood should be scrambling for this one. Rich with visual imagery, from the dust on a man's uniform to crumbs on a banquet plate, you really feel as if you were there. Not only are we introduced to the main character, but a whole support cast that make this story a tapestry of period elegance, as well as intrigue. Fans of history, drama, war and mystery will all enjoy this book. I highly recommend it.

Outstanding

Dark Eagle tells the tale of Benedict Arnold, the most reviled principal of the American Revolution, and in the process illuminates a period that today is distant and unfamiliar to most Americans. The author's achievement in bringing life and immediacy to the people and events of this world-shaking struggle is impressive and enjoyable. We recognize the timelessness of the conflicts and uncertainties people of all eras must deal with, and Mr. Harr's success at fleshing out the shadowy forms of the history book makes the story a terrific read. Arnold was a shining star of Washington's upstart army. In different circumstances, and with different choices, there would be cities named for him across the continent, and he would be enshrined in the American pantheon. Instead his name is infamous. Dark Eagle explores the personality and motivations of Arnold, his wife and accomplice Peggy Shippen, and John Andre, an equally tragic and compelling figure. We meet many other participants, famous and obscure, and Harr's narrative ease brings them all to life. The descriptions of day-to-day life and society, particularly the Meschianza, are rich and detailed. Dark Eagle is an outstanding example of writing that makes history come alive. The historical record is accurate, and the facts are embellished consistently and logically to fill in the details, without distorting the known record. This book should be on the reading list of every high school American History course. I recommend it highly to all who enjoy well-done historical fiction ( Patrick O'Brian fans, for example ) and look forward eagerly to Mr. Harr's next effort.