(Or, Two Alternatives to Reading a Book About "Hypothetically" Committing Murder)

Back in August, I finished reading Nathaniel Philbrick's Mayflower: A Story of Courage, Community, and War. It's a book that succeeds in painting a realistic picture of the Pilgrim's voyage to the New World (at least new to them) and the Plymouth settlement. He is quick to dispel the myth of Plymouth Rock and the first Thanksgiving. As it turns out, the reality is more fascinating than the mythology.

Philbrick also makes an effort to present historical figures as honestly as possible. While men like William Bradford, Miles Standish, Squanto, Massasoit, Edward Winslow, King Philip (a.k.a. Mecomet), and Benjamin Church had their heroic (or villainous) moments, they were still real people.

Just this week, I finished reading Dave R. Palmer's George Washington and Benedict Arnold: A Tale of Two Patriots, a dual biography of two key figures in the American Revolution.

For the first half of the book, Palmer builds a case showing the parallels between Washington and Arnold. It's a compelling picture of two American heroes.

Both were personally responsible for keeping the rebellion alive - Washington as the commander in chief of the Continental Army, Arnold through his victories at Fort Ticonderoga, Lake Champlain, and both battles at Saratoga.

Both also had numerous enemies and detractors. Washington was able to defeat or silence his, but Arnold wasn't so lucky. After suffering a severe wound at the Battle of Bemis Heights, Arnold could no longer handle the slander or lack of recognition for his efforts and his thoughts turned to treason.

The second half of the book recounts Arnold's betrayal, the aftermath, and both men's legacies.

The last chapter is the book's strongest. In it, Palmer argues that for all of their similarities, character is the critical difference between the two men. To the author, Washington had the four qualities that define character: fortitude, temperance, prudence, and justice. Arnold had only fortitude. The lack of the other three ultimately led to his downfall.

Palmer ends with a most appropriate quote...

"Your thoughts become your words. Your words become your actions.
Your actions become your habits.
Your habits become your character.
Your character becomes your destiny."

If you're in the mood to read about early American history (and not more recent "hypothetical" history), I highly recommend both of these books.