1. The Traitor's Wife
    Allison Pataki
    Howard Books / 2014 / Trade Paperback
    Our Price$17.09 Retail Price$18.99 Save 10% ($1.90)
    5.0 out of 5 stars for The Traitor's Wife. View reviews of this product. 10 Reviews
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  1. VicsMediaRoom
    Irvine, CA
    Age: 55-65
    Gender: male
    5 Stars Out Of 5
    The Woman Who Made Benedict Arnold A Traitor
    February 24, 2014
    VicsMediaRoom
    Irvine, CA
    Age: 55-65
    Gender: male
    Quality: 5
    Value: 5
    Meets Expectations: 5
    Allison Pataki in her new book, "The Traitor's Wife" published by Howard Books brings us the woman behind Benedict Arnold and the plan to betray America.

    From the back cover: A riveting historical novel about Peggy Shippen Arnold, the cunning wife of Benedict Arnold and mastermind behind America's most infamous act of treason . . .

    Everyone knows Benedict Arnold–the Revolutionary War general who betrayed America and fled to the British–as history's most notorious turncoat. Many know Arnold's co-conspirator, Major John André, who was apprehended with Arnold's documents in his boots and hanged at the orders of General George Washington. But few know of the integral third character in the plot: a charming young woman who not only contributed to the betrayal but orchestrated it.

    Socialite Peggy Shippen is half Benedict Arnold's age when she seduces the war hero during his stint as military commander of Philadelphia. Blinded by his young bride's beauty and wit, Arnold does not realize that she harbors a secret: loyalty to the British. Nor does he know that she hides a past romance with the handsome British spy John André. Peggy watches as her husband, crippled from battle wounds and in debt from years of service to the colonies, grows ever more disillusioned with his hero, Washington, and the American cause. Together with her former love and her disaffected husband, Peggy hatches the plot to deliver West Point to the British and, in exchange, win fame and fortune for herself and Arnold.

    Told from the perspective of Peggy's maid, whose faith in the new nation inspires her to intervene in her mistress's affairs even when it could cost her everything, The Traitor's Wife brings these infamous figures to life, illuminating the sordid details and the love triangle that nearly destroyed the American fight for freedom.

    Behind every traitor is a devilish woman. Say the name Benedict Arnold and immediately the word traitor comes to mind. They seem to be synonymous. Arnold was commander of West Point and, due to his wife's manipulations, agreed to give over West Point to Major Andre and the British. That is history. How it all happened is fascinating and Allison Pataki has done a memorable job in bringing all the players in this true historical drama to life. Two women, Peggy, the scheming wife, and Clara the loyal maid who gets the information to General Washington. "The Traitor's Wife" is full of details that make you feel you are there and witnessing these events as they happened. The characters are marvelous and they live and breathe on these pages. And there is even romance. If you want to know about a moment that could have spelled the end of America then this is the book for you.

    Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Howard Books. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."
  2. Its About Time Mamaw
    Cleveland, Texas
    Age: 55-65
    Gender: female
    5 Stars Out Of 5
    Traitor's Wife
    March 17, 2014
    Its About Time Mamaw
    Cleveland, Texas
    Age: 55-65
    Gender: female
    Quality: 5
    Value: 5
    Meets Expectations: 5
    Most of you are familiar with Benedict Arnold from you studies in History class. He is known for being ihe world famous traitor. But I bet you didn't know that his wife was his ultimate instrument in his downfall. She was much younger than Benedict and very beautiful. She saw him as her way of reaching her ultimate goal for fame and fortune.

    Peggy Shippen delivers her husband Benedict the plans to secure West Point into the hands of the British betraying America. All this for her own vanity of fame and fortune.

    Peggy's personal maid has given what she sees as the accounts and events of her mistress's plot to betray America which we know backfired on her and Benedict.

    The book is 464 pages of Peggy's deception, greed and vanity. I had no idea this women even exsisted. I actually felt sorry for Benedict anyone being taken in by such a she devil. Who knows how his life may have unfolded if he had not fallen into her trap.

    I keep saying in my reviews how I love historical novels. Thanks to authors like Allison Pataki for helping me continue my education in such an enjoyable way. The author has also provided a reading group guide with topics and questions for discussions. Also a conversation with Allison Patiaki of questions and answers along with a way to enhance your book club.

    Disclosure: I received a free copy of this book from Howard Books/Simon & Schuster
  3. debwilson
    Summerfield, FL
    Age: 18-24
    Gender: female
    5 Stars Out Of 5
    February 11, 2014
    debwilson
    Summerfield, FL
    Age: 18-24
    Gender: female
    Quality: 5
    Value: 5
    Meets Expectations: 5
    A riveting historical novel about Peggy Shippen Arnold, the cunning wife of Benedict Arnold and mastermind behind America's most infamous act of treason . . .

    Everyone knows Benedict Arnold–the Revolutionary War general who betrayed America and fled to the British–as history's most notorious turncoat. Many know Arnold's co-conspirator, Major John André, who was apprehended with Arnold's documents in his boots and hanged at the orders of General George Washington. But few know of the integral third character in the plot: a charming young woman who not only contributed to the betrayal but orchestrated it.

    Socialite Peggy Shippen is half Benedict Arnold's age when she seduces the war hero during his stint as military commander of Philadelphia. Blinded by his young bride's beauty and wit, Arnold does not realize that she harbors a secret: loyalty to the British. Nor does he know that she hides a past romance with the handsome British spy John André. Peggy watches as her husband, crippled from battle wounds and in debt from years of service to the colonies, grows ever more disillusioned with his hero, Washington, and the American cause. Together with her former love and her disaffected husband, Peggy hatches the plot to deliver West Point to the British and, in exchange, win fame and fortune for herself and Arnold.

    Told from the perspective of Peggy's maid, whose faith in the new nation inspires her to intervene in her mistress's affairs even when it could cost her everything, The Traitor's Wife brings these infamous figures to life, illuminating the sordid details and the love triangle that nearly destroyed the American fight for freedom.

    My Review:

    As a girl, I was intrigued by the story of Benedict Arnold. Forever branded a traitor to his countrymen, I often wondered what drove him to betray his neighbors, friends, and family. This piece of fiction really brings into play the possibility of a woman being a major influence in his life; and a plausible explanation as to what drove him to commit treason against a nation. I enjoyed the story from the maid's perspective, and that added to the flow of the story line and plot.

    I am amazed by the depth of skill from this new writer. She weaves a tale that speaks to her knowledge of historical facts and details that make the story so tantalizing and dramatic. The facts alone make for a novel that is absolutely unprecedented; and Pataki takes the particulars and creates a heart-wrenching tale that extraordinary. While I recommend this story to mature readers due to some of the content, this debut novel sings from the pages of a book and becomes a story that will forever burn in your heart.

    This book was provided by the publisher for free in exchange for an honest review.
  4. Fitzysmom
    5 Stars Out Of 5
    February 26, 2014
    Fitzysmom
    I am completely amazed that this is a first novel for Allison Pataki. She has taken a well known story and fleshed it out into an even more intriguing tale than we have all read about in our history textbooks.

    When I think of Benedict Arnold it is often hard to fathom how he could be such a decorated war hero but in the end wind up being such a traitor to the country he fought so hard to defend. In The Traitor's Wife some of that mystery is revealed. Through the eyes of Clara, the trusted maid to Mrs. Peggy Arnold, we see just how much power a beloved wife can have over her husband.

    Peggy is a very complex woman. On the outside she is very beautiful and alluring and knows exactly how to turn a head. On the inside she is scheming and deceitful and always plotting how to come out on top. The name Benedict Arnold may be synonymous with traitor, but the name of Peggy Arnold should hold equal weight.

    For all lovers of historical fiction, this book is going to be a great delight. It is my hope that Ms. Pataki will continue to use her incredible talent to bring to light many more of our history's infamous characters and those that worked right along side them.

    I received a copy of this book to facilitate my review.
  5. bookwomanjoan
    Oak Harbor, WA
    Age: Over 65
    Gender: Female
    5 Stars Out Of 5
    History comes alive
    February 11, 2014
    bookwomanjoan
    Oak Harbor, WA
    Age: Over 65
    Gender: Female
    Quality: 5
    Value: 5
    Meets Expectations: 5
    This is the kind of historical fiction I really like. I learned about Benedict Arnold in grade school. He was the turncoat who aided the British during the Revolutionary War. But I never knew he did not act alone and that his wife was the one who orchestrated the espionage.

    Pataki has done a great job in creating the character of Margaret "Peggy" Shippen Arnold. She comes to life as a crafty and scheming woman, doing almost anything to catch the eye of the man she was after. When Philadelphia was in the hands of the British, it was the dashing Major Andre. When Andre fled as the colonialists retook control of the city, she set her sights on General Arnold.

    We read of the activities of 1777 to 1780 through the eyes of Peggy's maid, a fictional young woman, although there was such a maid. Writing from this perspective provided a great contrast between a poor maid loyal to the colonial cause and a young socialite who wanted to be the center of attraction in the kind of society the British provided. I admired the genuine character of the maid while Peggy was one I loved to hate. And I felt sorry for General Arnold, in a way, as he was mistreated and manipulated many times.

    Much of the novel is based on historical fact with dialog and other details imagined to enliven what is known for certain. After reading the historical note at the end, I was amazed and very pleased to realize that what I had read was based on a great deal of actual history.

    This is a fascinating account of the woman behind Benedict Arnold, the woman who initiated the written correspondence between Major Andre and General Arnold. A woman who managed to hide her involvement in her husband's treason until after her death. It is amazing to think that one woman came so close to changing the course of the Revolutionary War.

    I highly recommend this historical fiction. It is well written, entertaining, and you'll learn some history too!

    I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. The views expressed are my own.
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