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Rabble in Arms Kenneth Roberts Books

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Rabble in Arms Kenneth Roberts Books

This is probably my favorite of Roberts' novels. This starts with the retreat from Canada and ends with the American victory at Saratoga. In between Roberts manages to tell a good historical narrative of the woes of the American (Patriot) military troubles from Quebec down Lake Champlain and into the Hudson Valley. His description of the military leaders and the Congress that was unable or too inept to keep its Army supplied with necessary supplies and then places leaders over them that have no business leading a military campaign are very good. Many of the names of people we take for villains are actually responsible for the creation of the US while those we often think of as heroes are far from it. Roberts is on a drive to make Benedict Arnold out to be a hero. And if Arnold had been killed at Saratoga we would probably celebrate his name today. Instead Roberts tries to make him into the savior of the Northern Army. Arnold was most probably the leading combat general on the Patriot side but, like George Patton, he was a terrible politician and this lack of political insight was his demise. Believing his on the field exploits should be sufficient to gain him public acclaim and advanced rank from Congress he was shocked to find foreign officers advanced above him.
But the story actually hinges on the exploits of the men from a small town in Maine. Roberts interweaves these men's loves and struggles against the backdrop of the northern campaign. Both of which suffer numerous setbacks. To anyone wishing to know more about how the American Revolution was almost lost and the major characters that simply wouldn't say surrender this is a great way to find it out without taking History 214.
Highly recommend, the history may be a bit bent at times but the accuracy of the events actually happening is spot on.


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Rabble in Arms Kenneth Roberts Books Reviews

First, I love Kenneth Robert's novels and have read them all. I was happy to see them available for the , and started with buying Arundel and Rabble in Arms, so I could read and enjoy them again. Arundel was everything I remembered it to be. Then I started on the version of Rabble in Arms.

I don't know how books are converted to the format - scanning from a printed copy, transferring from an electronic file, or whatever. But however it's done, someone needs to check the result before selling it. I'm used to editions have the odd typo here and there, but this has so many that it's a distraction.

So, for the content, 5 stars. For the execution... that's why it's only 2.
I gave this book 5 stars because I think Kenneth Roberts is (was) a fantastic author and I don't want to discourage anyone from reading his books. So far I've read Lydia Bailey, Boone Island, Arundel and now this one. Each one is a wonderful piece of historical fiction, well written, insightful. They include interesting character descriptions that make me laugh out loud, rather like Charles Dickens I thought.

I bought the kindle edition because the library book was cumbersome with small print which was difficult for me to read. However, I admit that I kept the library copy on hand so I could look up some of the puzzling scanned words which were not just typos - they were gibberish. That happened uncomfortably often, which detracted unfairly from such a great story. I wish someone would get in there and update the kindle edition.
Kenneth Roberts s a marvelous author. He wrote historical fiction novels. Whereas the characters and facts are well documented, many of the supporting cast are fictional and have a tendency to reappear in his future novels. Roberts was a top notch author in the 1930's.and 1940's. This novel involves the Revolutionary War. The author goes into great detail defining the important leaders of this era, the men and women who answered the call to arms, and in most cases he describes the deplorable conditions and equipment our forces fought under. We were in no way comparable to the British forces. Americans were untrained and ill supplied. We suffered more deaths from illness than actual combat wounds. But Roberts weaves a story that will keep you enthralled from start to finish. Read how life during the revolution actually was and what a miracle it was that we prevailed.
Kenneth Roberts wrote a series of books about New England at the time of the American Revolution, as well as a famous book about the French and Indian War. They are all meticulously researched and even today if you go today on the ground described, you'll feel as though Roberts is talking to you about what you are seeing. For most of us the relationship between colonists in Canada and what is now the United States is not well known, particularly the distinct differences, even in the 18th Century demonstrated by the French-speaking inhabitants. The book is long, and Roberts does not spare lengthy passaged detailing the misery borne by the American forces. The emphasis is on the period leading up to the British defeat at Saratoga, so if you are looking for details of the Saratoga fight, you'll have to do additional research. Today's readers will be surprised at the credit given Benedict Arnold, but the facts Roberts presents are accurate. Highly recommended and very readable.
I wanted to re-read this treasure (read a paperback years ago) and found it is out of print, and no local libraries had it for release to the public. Found a used copy on , and was very happy. This book gives a true flavor for what went on in the first stages of the American Revolution, the horrible decisons by our fledgling Congress, the egos, the many many mistakes made. It is of particular interest to me, as we live in upstate NY and visit the Saratoga Battlefield Park several times a year. If it weren't for Benedict Arnold and several other patriots with vision, we would be flying the Union Jack. It covers the events leading up to and including the Battle of Saratoga, including the founding of the US Navy at Skenesboro (now Whitehall, NY). A great read for those interested in American history.
This is probably my favorite of Roberts' novels. This starts with the retreat from Canada and ends with the American victory at Saratoga. In between Roberts manages to tell a good historical narrative of the woes of the American (Patriot) military troubles from Quebec down Lake Champlain and into the Hudson Valley. His description of the military leaders and the Congress that was unable or too inept to keep its Army supplied with necessary supplies and then places leaders over them that have no business leading a military campaign are very good. Many of the names of people we take for villains are actually responsible for the creation of the US while those we often think of as heroes are far from it. Roberts is on a drive to make Benedict Arnold out to be a hero. And if Arnold had been killed at Saratoga we would probably celebrate his name today. Instead Roberts tries to make him into the savior of the Northern Army. Arnold was most probably the leading combat general on the Patriot side but, like George Patton, he was a terrible politician and this lack of political insight was his demise. Believing his on the field exploits should be sufficient to gain him public acclaim and advanced rank from Congress he was shocked to find foreign officers advanced above him.
But the story actually hinges on the exploits of the men from a small town in Maine. Roberts interweaves these men's loves and struggles against the backdrop of the northern campaign. Both of which suffer numerous setbacks. To anyone wishing to know more about how the American Revolution was almost lost and the major characters that simply wouldn't say surrender this is a great way to find it out without taking History 214.
Highly recommend, the history may be a bit bent at times but the accuracy of the events actually happening is spot on.