cover image Dark Eagle

Dark Eagle

John Ensor Harr. Viking Books, $27.95 (512pp) ISBN 978-0-670-88704-0

Harr's ambitious attempt to capture the first six years of the American Revolution, and to clarify the role of infamous traitor Benedict Arnold through historical fiction, is an admirable effort. His clear and lucid account of one of the most misunderstood periods in American history has moments of epic grandeur. He acquits himself well in tracing Arnold's career from his rise to prominence as the Continental Army's most successful combat general to his disillusionment with the American cause and ultimate (and aborted) attempt to betray Washington's army. There are textured portraits of British spy Major John Andr , and of Generals Washington, Gates, Howe and Burgoyne, and colorful animation of minor characters, particularly the beautiful and intriguing Peggy Shippen, who loves Andr but marries Arnold. Settings, particularly the topography and atmosphere of old Philadelphia, are described with meticulous care, and battle scenes, though muted, are cogently rendered. It is unfortunate, then, that toward the end of the book, Harr abandons his leisurely approach and resorts to summarizing and glossing events and conversations, with only the occasional snatch of dialogue to maintain the drama. While his experience in nonfiction (he is coauthor of The Rockefeller Century and The Rockefeller Conscience) is evident in assiduous research, his tendency to qualify, explain, define and render historical observation from the comfort of two centuries' distance clutters and compromises the story. Puzzling anachronisms and overwriting stalk the narrative. Characters often speak in 20th-century parlance (Peggy questions Andr 's ""sexual orientation""); the point of view drifts, and character motivations are rendered as facile impulses, rather than rationalized actions. Yet the ending brings a redeeming boost of drama, as Andr meets his fate and Arnold becomes ""the most reviled person in American history."" Author tour. (Oct.)