Structure

The book is divided into 45 chapters of varying lengths. Each chapter is identified with a title that gives the reader a clue about the events of that chapter. Each chapter has a subtitle that identifies the date of those events. The opening chapter is set in 1780 after Arnold and John Andre were convicted of betraying America during the Revolutionary War. This chapter describes the hanging of an unidentified man, and some readers may assume this is Arnold. However, this was actually a description of Andre's execution. That scene is described more fully in the chapter titled “Ready at Any Moment” and dated September 26-October 2, 1780. In that chapter, Andre is identified by name.

There are also a few chapters that overlap. For example, Chapter 17 is dated January-July 1776. This chapter follows the events of John Andre. Chapter 18 reverts to events taking place elsewhere. This chapter is dated May 6-July...