Arthur S. Lefkowitz

A well researched and detailed presentation of the Continental Army's retreat following the loss at the Battle of Brooklyn (Battle of Long Island). The author uses numerous primary sources and does an excellent job of putting events in order.
It has been argued whether George Washington was weak or a poor battlefield commander. It has also been argued that William Howe was more interested in enjoying winter quarters, was principally invested in forcing peace through pardons, or whether he was fully determined to crush the rebellion by force. This book visits these themes and helps paint a fuller picture for the reader to better understand the many aspects in play in the campaigns of 1776.… (més)

Since learning about my ancestor's diary chronicling the March through the Wilderness and Battle of Quebec, I've been reading about this event and the time period. The best account I've read is Benedict Arnold's Army: The 1775 American Invasion of Canada During the Revolutionary War by Arthur S. Lefkowitz. Detailed and well-documented, Lefkowitz provides fascinating insights into the time period, key people, and events.

It was exciting to read Lefkowitz's account side by side with William Preston's diary. At times, Lefkowitz filled in the gaps of the diary. For instance the diary simply stated "Nov 9. Took a prisoner here". On page 194, Lefkowitz identified this person as Capt. MacKenzie. In other places, my diary contained more detail about specific events such as the description of the number of people diagnosed with small pox.

I highly recommend this book Benedict Arnold's Army for anyone interested in the American Revolution.… (més)