Valiant Ambition

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In the summer of 1776, Washington's army faced one of the largest British forces ever assembled. After suffering devastating defeats, Washington's troops were forced to evacuate Manhattan. However, near the Canadian border, one of his most talented generals, Benedict Arnold, achieved a tactical miracle by stalling the British advance in a fierce naval battle on Lake Champlain. This American victory was crucial; a defeat would have ended the war. Philbrick explores Arnold's journey, revealing how injuries from the Battle of Saratoga set him on a path to treason. Arnold, an impulsive yet sympathetic hero, became disillusioned due to the self-serving actions of politicians. By 1780, he defected to the British after a failed attempt to surrender West Point. Concurrently, Washington evolved into a true leader, navigating the complex interplay of military and political goals amidst deep divisions among the American populace. These divisions posed a greater threat than the British army itself. Washington's ability to rise above the politics of his time allowed him to recognize the true stakes of the war. In a twist of fate, Arnold's betrayal may have inadvertently saved America. By intertwining their narratives, Philbrick illustrates the tumultuous journey of a nation in crisis during its revolution.