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.

I picked up this book by John Ensor Harr only mildly interested in Benedict Armold and then found myself drawn in to an absorbing, stimulating novel, which I knew was based on solid fact. {I knew that Harr had written scholarly biographies of the Rockefellers.) I came to a new understanding - if not approval - of Benedict Arnold, but I found out a great deal more about the revolution, Washington's role, and many others. I recommend it wholeheartedly for any one wanting to read a good novel but also learn a great deal about the troubled soul of man and the prcarious thread on which victory hung in the revolution.

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.