Rating: 
Summary: Much better books available
Review: Arundel has been sitting on my bookshelf for decades and it's actually a translation into German and was one of the books my mom owned. Eventually I took to it and find that it is very informative about life in the colonial days in general. Though, what bothers me is that Christians again are being bashed which just proofs that it's an ongoing thing by the liberal left. Indians for one thing, however wrong we were in treating them, are by no means any more nobel than average man is. As a matter of fact some Indians were quite savages like the Apaches and even "Dances of Wolfes" shows the Pawnees not much kinder towards their fellow neighbors. Man is man foremost and no culture can change that. What really disturbed me is the discription of the members that made up the "Sons of Liberty". Jeff Shara's book "Rise to Rebellion" shows quite a different picture. It seems that people nowadays don't want to remember that standing up towards King George was equal to jepordize everything you had including your own life. But it is so chique to blame our country for all the worlds ills. Given, we're not perfect but there's a lot of good that our country produced as well. Overall the book has good entertaining value but in regard to history it needs to be viewed with extreme caution.
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Summary: My Family Story
Review: Arundel is a masterpiece of historical writing. As the grandson of one of the "real" characters in the story, Major Reuben Colburn of Pittston, Maine I appreciate the tale as no other could. Enough so, that I am writing a biography of Colburn at present and have nominated Colburn House as a National Historic Landmark. Roberts puts a Southern Maine spin on the true story, and I have points where I disgree with his interpretation but it's as good as it gets for fiction. To answer the first reviewers question about why this was never made into a movie, I have written a screenplay based on our family story of the Arnold Expedition. As of yet Hollywood is not interested. We'll see, but don't expect Steven Nason or Cap Huff to be in there. The real patriots are better, still.
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Summary: Pinnacle of American Historical Fiction
Review: ARUNDEL is quite simply the finest historical novel that I have ever read. It is also one of the finest works of
American fiction, period. Telling the little-known American Revolution episode of Benedict Arnold's raid on Quebec, the bulk of the novel concerns the harrowing journey that his men made through the frozen wilds of Maine, a story of hardship and devotion that readers will never forget. But the revelation here for readers unfamiliar with Kenneth Roberts is the prose as sturdy and timeless as the landscape, the old-fashioned storytelling coupled with a sober command of men's aspirations and justifications in momentous times. Robert's dialogue is so sharp and clever that his characters never seem antiquated. Reading this incomparably moving and exciting novel will open a world of historical fiction in Kenneth Roberts' catalog that will reward readers for a lifetime. Highest Recommendation!!
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Summary: Perhaps the most underrated historical novel of all time.
Review: I first read Arundel over 30 years ago and it helped make me into a history teacher. Seemingly unimportant incidents in the narrative have proven, upon further research into non-fictional sources, to have actually happened. Kenneth Roberts was THE greatest historical novelist in American History. He proved that a wholesome romance can keep the reader's interest. The main characters do not have to perform in bed for us in order to keep our interest. And yet, he does not wince from the reality of treachery, betrayal and sexual immorality. It is simply done with style and good taste. Why this book was never been made into a movie is incomprehensible, except that Roberts' NORTHWEST PASSAGE was hopelessly butchered by Hollywood in 1939 and he vowed never to release the rights to his works again (I think). Does anyone out there know the reason?
Rating:
Summary: A Great Historical Novel
Review: I loved this book from the day I read it in in 1971. This is the way historical fiction should be written. Historically accurate, good dialogue, sound character development woven with a personal voice of the narrator. In this case it is Steven Nason a young inkeeper and blacksmith from Maine who takes us from a kidnapping of a young woman in 1759 to the gates of Quebec on the snowy night of December 31, 1775 as a small army of American revolutionaries lead by Benedict Arnold attempt to take the greatest citadel in North America from the British.The book's understory is the attempt by Nason to find the young woman in Quebec and wreak revenge on the man who took her. Will Nason find his long lost friend and redeem her? Will his personal redemption come from something or someone more unexpected? Roberts paints his historical characters and events with great accuracy and fullness. You feel like you know Arnold, Daniel Morgan, Aaron Burr and others as they endure a grueling 600 mile journey through the wilderness of Maine and Canada in their attempt to seize Quebec. The march to Quebec, siege and assault on Quebec are told in riverting detail. If you want a great understanding about this campaign, I recommend this book highly. If you want a great read, I recommend this book even higher. Enjoy!
Rating:
Summary: A moving adventure in history
Review: This book is a must read. Although Kenneth Roberts' "Northwest Passage" may be better known, "Arundel" is a much more exciting and captivating book. Roberts follows the path of young Steven Nason of Arundel, Maine, through the trials and hardships with Benedict Arnold's army on their fatal march on Quebec in 1775. One of the most compelling aspects of the book is Nason's relationship with local Indian tribes and how that kept the endeavor from complete failure. This book was impossible to put down and has made me want to follow Steven Nason's adventures in the book, "Rabble In Arms". Although I read "Arundel" for an extra-curricular U.S.History assignment, I would recommend this book to anyone who wants an intriguing introduction to the Revolutionary War or who just has a thirst for adventure.
Rating: 
Summary: Courage, adventure and romance in Revolutionary America
Review: This book is a must read. Although Kenneth Roberts' "Northwest Passage" may be better known, "Arundel" is a much more exciting and captivating book. Roberts follows the path of young Steven Nason of Arundel, Maine, through the trials and hardships with Benedict Arnold's army on their fatal march on Quebec in 1775. One of the most compelling aspects of the book is Nason's relationship with local Indian tribes and how that kept the endeavor from complete failure. This book was impossible to put down and has made me want to follow Steven Nason's adventures in the book, "Rabble In Arms". Although I read "Arundel" for an extra-curricular U.S.History assignment, I would recommend this book to anyone who wants an intriguing introduction to the Revolutionary War or who just has a thirst for adventure.
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Summary: wonderful historical novel
Review: This book is one of the greatest historical novels I have ever read. It's written by one of the foremost authors of 18th century history Kennith Roberts. This book takes the reader back to a time when the Abenaki's ruled the land and the rivers were alive with fish. Roberts brings alive the sights and sounds of 18th century America in a way that no other writer can possibly do. " While they were still thickly bunched my father and Rabomis picked up the other muskets and fired again; and again the wild fowl fell back into the pool and marsh like a storm of water melons. Ducks and geese by the thousands and hundred thousand sprang into the air." (Roberts, p 72) Roberts follows a young man, Stephen Nason, through the French and Indian War and into the Revolutionary War as he searches for his childhood love. His love Mary was taken from him by the Heron Indians who also killed her father. This book written with the same historical detain as Northwest Passage. I recomond this book to anyone who likes romance, adventure, and history.
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Summary: Read as prep for an Amer/Canadian History Class
Review: This book was excellent. Not only is it reputed as having very accurate historical content, but the ficitonal stories running through it were very interesting as well. It is still hard to believe this was Roberts first writing foray. It is very easy to feel for the characters and want to know how everything turns out. I have to say that their plight was often very difficult - to the point where I was feeling quite cold and hungry myself. I live in Vermont and felt quite badly for them travelling during winter under very harsh conditions without polypropelyne, fleece, or wind-blocking layers. Plus a bunch of power bars for emergencies. I will be getting Roberts other books in this series. I'm sure I will enjoy them as much as Arundel. It is easy to tell Roberts has true writing talent.
Rating:
Summary: A moving adventure in history
Review: This is a powerfully written, beautiful novel about friendship and adventure; about war, hard times, romantic love; and it is a glimpse into the American Revolution from a point of view that strikes me as authentic.
The book is clearly a labor of love. Like the very best of historical novels, it takes the reader to a different place, and makes us care about the people and the events from the inside.
I rate this as one of the 3 best historical novels I've read: "War and Peace" and Thomas Pynchon's "Mason & Dixon" are the other two: I can't give any book higher praise than that.
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