Green’s political interests awakened mainly after the British Navy sought to enforce customs rules on a shipment of rum that his company was importing illegally, and Carbone makes this clear. That Greene was hardworking, disciplined and brave Carbone also makes clear. And Carbone shows that the war deprived Green of what could have otherwise been a peaceful and prosperous life. Deeply indebted for personally guaranteeing the costs of provisioning his own troops, Greene died at 43, only three years after the fighting had ended.

Subscribe Today

• Subscribe to Armchair General Magazine
• Subscribe online and save nearly 40%!
 

Not wishing to overemphasize the psychological dimension of his subject, Carbone does miss one opportunity. Greene, something of an optimist, also shared traits with Arnold, including insecurity and oversensitivity to criticism. Both endured hardship and danger. After Arnold had defected, Washington was careful to salve Greene’s feelings. Greene had chafed while doing the vital job of quartermaster, and Washington then used him briefly to replace Arnold at West Point. Finally, Washington and Congress gave Greene what he wanted most: a key command in the field.

I’m not a big fan of psycho-history, but it has its place and a more extensive comparison between Greene and Arnold—two ordinary New Englanders who rose rapidly during the war and put their stamps on the conflict—would have been an interesting read. Unfortunately, that deeper comparison is not in this work.

Carbone does successfully illuminate the vital elements of Greene’s personal and professional story, while leaving Greene for the most part on the battlefield and off the analyst’s couch.

ACG Intel

Nathanael Greene: A Biography of the American Revolution

Help Armchair General by bookmarking to