Revisionism is a lot like a loaded weapon: It's a lot better when it's aimed at the right target.

Major John Andre was a staff officer in the British army during the American Revolution. As such, it became his task to try to manage spies -- in particular, Benedict Arnold. In the course of his duties, he met with Arnold behind American lines and tried to escape. He was captured while out of uniform, tried, and quickly executed. But the Americans for the most part seem to have genuinely admired their prisoner and to have regretted the need to kill him.

Not Walsh. He agrees on the basic facts: British officer, spymaster, captured, dead. He also admits that Andre was handsome and engaging and well-liked. But much of his argument is based on trying to destroy this image. He sees Andre as using his gifts for self-serving ends, and is not particularly impressed with the reasons for Andre's behavior in his final days.

Such attempts to correct the record are genuinely useful. We need to be reminded that what we think we know isn't always true. But this instance is singularly unconvincing. Everyone liked Andre, and they liked him even after convicting him. Their eyewitness testimony surely outweighs the bits and pieces used by Walsh to paint his portrait.

This is a stylish book with an argument that deserves hearing. But, in this case, the traditional portrait seems more likely. ( )