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Carl Van Doren
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Secret History of the American Revolution: An Account of the Conspiracies of Benedict Arnold and Numerous Others Drawn from the Secret Service Paper Hardcover – January 1, 1941

by Carl Van Doren (Author)
4.8 4.8 out of 5 stars 8 ratings
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Libro usado en buenas condiciones, por su antiguedad podria contener señales normales de uso
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  1. Print length
    534 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    Viking Press
  4. Publication date
    January 1, 1941
  5. Dimensions
    6.25 x 2 x 9.25 inches
  6. ISBN-10
    0678031762
  7. ISBN-13
    978-0678031766
  8. See all details
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Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Viking Press; First Edition (January 1, 1941)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 534 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0678031762
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0678031766
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 2.13 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6.25 x 2 x 9.25 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.8 4.8 out of 5 stars 8 ratings

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Carl Van Doren

Carl Van Doren

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Customer reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars
4.8 out of 5
8 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

Cynthia V
5.0 out of 5 stars Fantastic book
Reviewed in the United States on December 10, 2017
Verified Purchase
I've read many historically sound essays and books on the American Revolution; numerous biographical, all-in-one, origin, political, individual battle and overall war literature. Despite that and the 1941 first edition publication date of this book I learned quite a bit I hadn’t known before, had never read before of what was going on behind the scenes. Of the wide British use of resources and offers of riches and social rank to undermine and lure "patriots" to their side, some successful, some not. Flipping a Whig! The most successful and most documented being the treason of Benedict Arnold. Exclusive of Arnold there have been mentions and speculations, some citations and even whole books offered on some of the others yet not to the depth and discernment of this book. Mr. Van Doren lets the evidence speak for itself offering his scholarly narrative to tie it all together.

This book is very informative, a real eye-opener and everyone interested in the AR should read it. But one caution, if you lack familiarity with the war, the times, the people, the politics, jealousies, infighting, underlying tensions, battles and the eventual peace that led to the formation of the USA you may find yourself a bit muddled, unable to appreciate the book for the gem it is. Read it but only after familiarizing yourself at the very least to the big picture because this book was never intended as an AR primer. Its nuances and revelations will be lost to the novice.

Secret History of the American Revolution by Carl Van Doren should be on every AR enthusiast's bookshelf. It's that marvelous.
6 people found this helpful
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Steven Pawlowski
5.0 out of 5 stars American Revolution
Reviewed in the United States on January 14, 2013
Verified Purchase
I am still reading the book and can't put it down. At each turn of the page, I am left open-mouthed... From treachery, spying, double-agents and political brinksmanship of some of the most famous names of the Revolution War that was NOT taught in school.

For example, Dr. Benjamin Church, a Boston physician, a member of the provincial congress of Massachusetts and a member of the committee of safety, who had the confidence of John and Samuel Adams, John Hancock, and Joseph Warren was a British spy who for six weeks prior to the battle of Lexington had passed secrets to Thomas Gage, the British commander-in-chief and governor of Massachusetts who gave the order to capture the American stores at Concord, the night of April 18, 1775. These actions are cited as the start of the American Revolutionary War.

Or, the most egregious instance of loyalist snobbism was the Rev. Jacob Duche, rector of Christ Church and St. Peter's in Philadelphia and former chaplain of the Continental Congress trying to persuade Washington to give up the rebellion because there were 'so few rebels he could feel like inviting to dinner' and proceeded to disparage Congress and pit the classes against each other.

And my reason for buying the book are the pages detailing Benedict Arnold before, during and after the Revolution. All the information is drawn from the Secret Service Papers of the British Headquarters in North America. This book is a must read for anyone interested in the stories never told about the American Revolution. And another benefit is the book is not a reprint but a printing from 1941; the pages feel different and the book has that old book smell. Probably not a selling point but makes the book that much more valuable. Do yourself a favor and buy this book.
7 people found this helpful
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Tamsen E. George
4.0 out of 5 stars Good Detailed Information, Testimony
Reviewed in the United States on June 1, 2013
Verified Purchase
Good information on Benedict Arnold - even some details of his activities I did not know. Details about Andre as well.
One person found this helpful
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EricV
5.0 out of 5 stars You Will Not Be Disappointed
Reviewed in the United States on April 30, 2013
I stumbled across this book and took a chance, a first printing, collectable, but that was just half of it. The information betwixt the pages is a treasure trove of information that will astound the reader. Drawn from documents and papers from the British side, weave a narrative that will have the reader wanting more. A wonderfully researched topic for any fan of American history. This is a book for any serious collector, factual and fascinating detail.
4 people found this helpful
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JosephJacobs
5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
Reviewed in the United States on October 21, 2014
Great Item.
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