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there's a book probably the best overall view of arnold. he's much more sympathetic to arnold than i am. he basically feels that aarprnold is a failure, republicanism cannot work. and if it cannot work the french are likely to end us taking us over. the better course of action is to re-assess our relationship with great britain. when he sunnisigns some of his early correspondence with great britain, he signed the name monk. general monk was a british general after cromwell's civil war broke up. one of cromwell's generals who went back to the crown, restored charles ii and becomes a hero. so in his mind he sees himself doing a kind of restoration to

the proper relationships since this system is not going to work. that's the way he sees it. at the cannot get over the personal. and he is a very greedy man. you read these letters, the way he neglect it's for negotiates. account trait there is a book by david palmer a retired military general, on arnold and washington and that has some interesting points in it as well.

>> what role do you think played into benedict arnold's treacherous behavior was based on his inability to pay his troops? >> to pay his troops? well, i can't answer that with absolute specificity. he is constantly complaining about that and sometimes advancing his own things and wanting to be reimbursed. it's just a general growing disillusionment of a man who sacrificed almost his life, these were not minor leg injuries. these are severe injuries where he'll be crippled for the refrt of his rest of his life then to be treated from his perspective so poorly kind of justifies his abc news. might have time for one or two more questions, then i'll close up shop.

i did see one more question up? >> i just wanted to ask you, if you could speak with either of those two gentlemen today -- i use "gentlemen" sort of loosely -- what question would you ask mr. washington? what question would you ask benedict arnold if you had the chance to talk to both of those gentlemen today? >> probablify had they fyif i had a chance to talk to general washington i wouldn't specifically ask about benedict arnold. i would ask, how much have i screwed up my interpretation of you so i could get it right in the future? and benedict arnold, you. guilty! it is always a joy for me to come. you are a friendly group, a knowledgeable group. i hope i have the chance to keep coming back in the future. thanks for your attention.

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track the gop as it leads on capitol hill and have your say as events unfold on tv, radio and the web. next on american history tv, it was a great surprise to the u.s. government when the soviet union tested its first atomic bomb in 1949. an historian with the international spy museum, vince hougtton talks about how it may have led to the atomic bomb.on, talks about how it may have led to the atomic bomb.hton, talks about how it may have led to the atomic bomb. >> we are delighted today to have our own historian. don't know if all of you have met him, dr. vince houghton he is the historian and curator of the museum. he holds a