I'll admit it now that this book is read; my goal this year is to read a book about each of the presidents. What a wonky thing to do, eh? It started last presidential election cycle, when I (and many others) wondered if the Current Occupant would be rated as among the top five worst ever. How will I know without looking at the other contestants to that ignominious race?

Because of the sheer number of books on Washington, it was difficult to pick a book. However, it was very useful to my cause to compare these two men with a large number of situational similarities for the qualities that ended up differentiating them so completely. As the author points out somewhat mercilessly at the end, it is all down to character. The most surprising fact I discovered about the often inscrutable Washington is that he had a violent temper, same as Benedict Arnold. However, through sheer determination, he mastered his anger through the old-fashioned exercise of temperance, or the self-discipline to control passions.

While Washington's military expertise is widely appreciated, Arnold was a brilliant military leader who even earned the title "America's Hannibal. It is popularly held among military scholars that the Revolutionary War might not have been won at all if not for Arnold's early battle successes. But, Arnold's fiery temper caused him to duel many men over the protection of his "honor," and his inability to be patient through the many provocations of individuals or groups such as the Continental Congress led him to plot revenge and value only monetary gain rather than the lives of his fellow soldiers and citizens.

One of the things most grieved by Washington historians was the decision by George and Martha to burn a great number of their personal papers while on his death bed. An important component of his humanity went up in smoke, and so he is destined to remain a legendary hero without the normal human foibles. Still, we can tell much about anyone by the outward acts. As quoted in the book, Len Marella, who wrote a book on ethical leadership that says:
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.

I may be able to stop reading now with a sufficient answer to my original query, but I'm having too much fun. I would appreciate references for any of the other presidents for a good read, especially for the more obscure ones.

I dont want to do this...

Great book that gives you a in depth look into the character of these two men. I never knew the role that Benedict Arnold played in the American Revolution and that he was a patriot General before he betrayed America. I recommend this to everyone.

Following a stirring trip to Williamsburg, VA.. I read this book. Many life parallels! Thought provoking!

Very well written and chronicled.

This is a twin character study of Washington and Arnold. It takes you from their childhoods through their great success together to Arnolds's treason. The focus is on the man and not the battles each fought, and the slow rot that was at the center of Arnold. If I have a wish, it would be for a better set of maps in the book to help the reader with the story.

great book, love the side-by-side biography, but really disappointing that there's no footnotes/references/bibliography

The best tactician and the best strategist of the Revolution were friends and admirers of each other. Though both had fierce tempers, Arnold let his fly at those he felt deserved the edge of his tongue. Washington tried to protect him from his enemies, but failed. Arnold, as the general who nearly took Quebec after a hellish march through the Maine wilderness, held up Burgoyne for a year on Lake Champlain, stopped St. Leger in the Mohawk Valley and led the counter-attack against Burgoyne at Saratoga, despite being relieved of his command and ordered to stay in his tent. He suffered wounds and spent his treasure for the Revolution and felt he was ignored and belittled. Unfortunately, rather than retire, he turned traitor. This is a great book on a pair of men who fought for the ungrateful colonies and went different ways. Recommended.

I admittedly knew little about Benedict Arnold prior to reading this book (aside from the obvious), and I greatly enjoyed the side-by-side character analysis and contrast between Arnold and Washington.

I can never read enough about the birth of America and its great cast of characters. I thoroughly enjoyed this well-written book.

Interesting read on the character of two of the most famous/infamous men of the Revolutionary War. Palmer isn't shy in taking on Benedict Arnold--a person reviled in American history. I enjoyed hearing about Arnold's early successes and about Palmer's opinion of why Arnold turned again the Revolution and against Washington.

In discussing Washington Palmer also focuses on his early successes, his failures and frustrations with the Continental Congress. Then compares the different reactions to the two men to similar situations. Washington stayed the course and became an even more loved and respected leader while Arnold became a traitor.

This is a book that is definitely worth the read. I will look into more books on Arnold.

An excellent jumping off point -- well written, and gives a good overview of Washington & Arnold's lives. However, a bit fast with facts -- I should say: it doesn't document many of its claims, so I'm a bit skeptical of where the conclusions are coming from.

Embarrassed to say that I never knew exactly why Benedict Arnold turned traitor. This is a really interesting book that will deepen your appreciation for how great a person Washington was, and give you all the info on Benedict Arnold. A must read if you are an American!