Editorial Review

Near Stirling, Scotland, stands a memorial to the warrior WilliamWallace, put to death at the orders of the English king Edward I in 1305. Withinthat memorial stands a glass case, and inside of it stands a broadsword 1.7meters long. Legend has it that the hero himself wielded the weapon, and so"Wallace's Sword" it is.Read more

Reviews (8)

Interesting, but missing the more recent history
For the most part, I really enjoyed this book.It was well written very interesting.My only major criticism of this book is in what it left out.The book does a wonderful job relating the history of Scotland up to and including the Jacobite rebellion of 1745-46.Anything since that point is largely ignored.The author was loosely following Sir Walter Scott's example in Tales from a Grandfather which ends at that point in Scottish history.A couple more chapters discussing the Scottish enlightenment and modern Scottish history would have made this book perfect.Nonetheless, I recommend this book highly to anyone interested in an introduction to Scottish history.

The definitive history of Scotland
Magnus did an excellent job of documenting Scotland's long, rich history. A history book for people who hate reading history
I have read many books on the history of scotland, and this is by far one of the best on the main characters who have shaped this nation.It does not cover as many events as other books, but does give a good beginning background into the history of Scotland.The book is written in more of a story telling fashion, and makes it very readable and entertaining. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Europe - Great Britain - General    2. Europe - Great Britain - Scotland    3. History    4. History - General History    5. History: World   

Reviews (1)

Stuart McCoy
This is not nearly as nice as another David Robert's book, Egypt: Yesterday and Today, but the images are just as beautiful, even in their reduced size.His work is truly amazing and after traveling in Egypt you really appreciate his vision of the past. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. 1796-1864    2. Artists    3. Artists, Architects, Photographers    4. Biography    5. Biography & Autobiography    6. Biography / Autobiography    7. Biography/Autobiography    8. Egypt    9. Historical - British    10. Middle East - General    11. Palestine    12. Roberts, David,    13. Scotland    14. Travel    15. Travelers    16. Africa    17. Israel    18. Journeys    19. Roberts, David    20. Travel & holiday guides   

Reviews (1)

Okay for overview, not for serious interest in subject
I've recently been researching the links between 14th century Scotland, the Templar order, and Henry Sinclair's possible visit to the New World around 1400 -- not to "prove" that Oak Island contains a vast treasure protected by a secret society, but because of my interest in Henry's ties to Orkney and Norway. That said, I realize that most people will be reading the book for very different reasons.Anyway, I thought this book might be a useful read, but it is quite simple, full of the author's highly personalized thoughts (not facts) about the area, Henry's motivations and the nature of the Oak Island constructions, and it doesn't really get into the details of anything.It's a good first book to read about the subject, which has been addressed in several other recent books as well, and it's obvious the author is very interested in the subject, but it's not a comprehensive exploration of the exciting and complicated subject matter.Read this, and then buy "The Lost Treasure of the Knights Templar:Solving the Oak Island Mystery," by Steven Sora. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. 1345-ca. 1400    2. America    3. Biography    4. Discovery and exploration    5. Explorers    6. History    7. History - General History    8. History: World    9. North American    10. Nova Scotia    11. Scotland    12. Sinclair, Henry,    13. Sir,    14. World - General    15. 315    16. 324    17. History / Canada    18. Sinclair Henry knights templar medieval holy grail    19. Sinclair, Henry   

Reviews (2)

Scotland's mismanagement
Osprey Campaign 168, Flodden 1513 proves to be a well written and well researched book. Like all of Osprey Campaign books, this one got less then a hundred pages but the author uses those pages very nicely. The book gives a good background to the campaign, blow by blow of the battle and what happened afterward. For such a short book, it definitely summarized the entire incident very well. Illustrations proves to be useful and maps although not very clear, gave a good account of how the battle unfolded.
Flodden 1513
On 9 September 1513, Flodden field was the site for one of Scotland's most famous battles, often termed their "greatest defeat". The Scottish Army led by their courageous king, James IV, was strong in artillery and trained in new tactics from the Swiss doctrine, whereas the English Army they faced still favoured traditional tactics. Despite the strength of the Scots, the English men-at-arms fought ferociously. By nightfall, the field was strewn with the bodies of the Scottish nobility, and tre tragic figure of their king. This book examines the strategies of both armies and the significant effect of the weapons used, including the longbow and artillery.
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Subjects:  1. Europe - Great Britain - General    2. History    3. History - Military / War    4. Military    5. Military - General    6. Military - Other    7. Battles & campaigns    8. British & Irish history: c 1500 to c 1700    9. British Isles    10. History / Military / General   

Reviews (2)

Pure Genius!A Work that Will Live!
Having restored and modernized more Tillinghast layouts than any of us Rees Jones states in an introductory paragraph "A.W. Tillinghast was pure genius" while Ben Crenshaw in a companion paragraph says "hewas an individualist to say the least.American golf was fortunate to havehim around in the early stages." Terrific, Revolutionary and Astonishing
The editors, Rick Wolffe, Bob Trebus and Stuart Wolffe have produced their second of a three book series on A.W. Tillinghast.This book, "Reminiscences of the Links" is even richer than the first("The Course Beautiful") with terrific photographs, revolutionarywriting and astonishing admissions. Like Tillie taking a 17 on theclosing hole at the Garden City Invitational, the incident regarding JohnnyMcDermott at Shawnee, or his suggestion that someday Bethpage will rank asone of the great golfing meccas of the world.It may have taken awhile forthat prediction to come true but by the time the Open rolls around therewill be few who will dispute it.And where else can you find the originalrouting plan for all the courses and such early photos of play on theBlack?Good job, fellas! -- Bob Labbance, Editor for The GolfCollector's Society. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Essays    2. Golf    3. Golf - General    4. History    5. Scotland    6. Sports    7. Sports & Recreation    8. United States   

Features

• Illustrated

Subjects:  1. Body, Mind & Spirit    2. Europe - Great Britain - Scotland    3. General    4. History - General History    5. New Age    6. Supernatural    7. Castles    8. Ghosts & poltergeists    9. Scotland    10. Wicca   

Reviews (2)

The Highland Scots of North Carolina, 1732-1776
This account of the Highlanders and particularly of my ancestor, Alexander McAllister, and the role he played was most informative. I was not familiar with the details of their mid 18th century migration to America.For other researchers, information can also be gained by accessing the web page for Clan McAlister of America.Of course, the name has been spelled different ways, but this is the same Clan. Thanks so much, Duane Meyer, for your research!

Background for my family line
This book has excellent information on where my line came from in the Highlands.The description of the economy, the living conditions, the government and clan disharmony, as well as the religion question, all provide a good picture of where our Scots came from and the conditions of their lives.My McRae family came to Carolina in 1774, so this timeline used in this book covered the years preceding, as well as a few following their immigration.I was very interested in the motives for migration.This provided many more than I had previously read about.Because the years led directly into our revolution, it is especially relevant to read this information on the Scots question whether to serve as loyalist or as revolutionary.This proved, as well as disproved several theories which are in print.I appreciate having this book in my reference library. It has more specific descriptive information about the Scots' living conditions both in Scotland and in North Carolina than any other source I have consulted. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. 18th century    2. American loyalists    3. Elements In The U.S. Population    4. Emigration & Immigration    5. Emigration and immigration    6. Highlands (Scotland)    7. History    8. History - U.S.    9. History: American    10. North Carolina    11. Scottish Americans    12. U.S. Local History - South Atlantic States    13. United States - Colonial Period    14. American history: c 1500 to c 1800    15. Highlanders; North Carolina; immigration; George III    16. History / United States / State & Local / South (AL, AR, FL, GA, KY, LA, MS, NC, SC, TN, VA, WV)    17. Immigration & emigration    18. c 1700 to c 1800   

Reviews (25)

Geology and the Scottish Enlightment
I found this book to be an interesting new perspective for me on the Scottish Enlightenment--the role of science.The central focus is James Hutton (1726-1797), a Scottish geologist whose pioneering work would disprove the then (and perhaps still) current assertion that the world was not more than 6,000 years old. No less a figure than Newton himself had made this influential calculation.Hutton's theory was based upon his study of the effects of erosion in conjunction with the dynamic movements of the earth's surface generated by intense subsurface heat. He spent much time simply studying various cliffs in Scotland, which convinced him of the ancient nature of the Earth. The author well sets the stage, with introductory chapters on the religious perspective, Hutton's early life, the political context in 18th century Scotland, the role of Edinburgh ("the Athens of the North") as a catalyst for Enlightenment intellectual and scientific development, and the evolution of a scientific study of geology. A chapter is included on Charles Lyell, an influential geologist and author who did much to spread knowledge of Hutton's findings and theories, including being influential on Darwin who read his "Principles of Geology" while on the Beagle voyage. And of course, Hutton's theory was of critical assistance to Darwin, because it indicated that the earth had been in existence for millions of years, during which the slow processes of evolution would have had an opportunity to develop. This is another of the new breed of fairly short books (228 pages) that are just excellent in rich in content, putting some of their longer counterparts to shame.An excellent appendix deals with key geologic terms and some current views of Hutton; a valuable extensive bibliography is also included. Just a most pleasant read about a novel topic.

The Birth of Modern Geology
Part geology, part biography, part history of Scotland, this excellent book is a tribute to James Hutton, the originator of modern geology. Starting with the status of geology in the eighteenth century and the use of the Bible as the basis for estimating the age of the earth, the author weaves the intriguing story of James Hutton and how he came about discovering signs of the earth's true antiquity. The political situation in eighteenth century Scotland is well described and illustrates the times in which Hutton lived. But the book goes further in that the evolution of geology after Hutton's death is also discussed, ending with modern estimates of the age of the earth and a brief description of the methods used to produce them. This is a very well-written and exciting book that should appeal to a wide audience.

Another One of Britian's Gifts
James Hutton was a tall thin Scotsman, a non-practicing medical doctor, who was independently wealthy and devoted to farming.Unlike many lately, but like some other residents of the United Kingdom, such as Smith, Darwin, Talbot and indeed the fabled figures Sherlock Holmes and Henry Higgins, he used his wealth not to acquire numerous homes but to engage in intellectual endeavors.There are those who may have found him "difficult," but it is hard to fault his priorities.
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Subjects:  1. Biography    2. Biography.    3. Earth Sciences - Geology    4. General    5. Geologists    6. Geology    7. History    8. Science    9. Science/Mathematics    10. Scotland    11. Sears   

Features

• Illustrated

Reviews (1)

A visual display armchair readers will relish
Author Corrance has been photographing Scotland for more than a quarter of a century: in Scotland: A Visual Journey he provides almost two hundred color images of his photos, from people to places, creating a visual display armchair readers will relish. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Collections, Catalogs, Exhibitions    2. Europe - Great Britain - General    3. Europe - Great Britain - Scotland    4. History - General History    5. Photo Essays    6. Photography    7. Pictorial works    8. Scenic Photo Collections    9. Scotland    10. Photographs: collections    11. Places & peoples: general interest    12. SCOTLAND_DESCRIPTION AND TRAVEL    13. Travel / Europe / Great Britain   

Reviews (10)

Mary as never seen before - an excellent account!
I thoroughly enjoyed John Guy's biography of Mary Queen of Scots. The only flaws are that Guy insists that Mary's prayers before death were for a public show of her Catholicism. I don't think so - people about to die don't act that way. Also, he says that when Mary was kidnapped and raped by Bothwell, she must have enjoyed it because she did not cry for help. Sorry, but studies of rape victims have shown that even today women are afraid to go to the police. In those days, a woman was heavily stigmatized when violated against her will. But other than those flaws, this biography is a work of profound scholarship, depicting the details of Mary's daily lifeas I have never before read anywhere else. Guy also shows that Mary was a clever and even a savvy politician, as clever as Elizabeth her rival, although she fell through treachery and one lost battle. Very sad but very enlightening. Recommended.

Mary's Heart and Mary's Head
John Guy's biogaphy is one of the best works of scholarship I have read in a long time.His book gives us a non-romanticized vision of Mary Queen of Scots, a woman raised in France (and married, briefly -- before being widowed -- , to the dauphin and then king of France).After his death, she returned to Scotland and learned a fast lesson is Scottish Politics.More of a fragmented land of kin groups, revenge and blood feud than anything she encounted in France, Mary coped as best she could.
The New Woman, indeed!
When I was a kid, my grandmother gave me the then-new biography of Mary by Lady Antionia Fraser. Growing up in a family of Scots descent, I remember my eagerness to read about the national heroine - and what a disappointment! I couldn't understand how such a flighty girl thought she could run a country between worrying about pretty frocks, decorating castles and torrid love affairs. Served her right, I thought, to come to such a tawdry end.
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Subjects:  1. 1542-1587    2. Biography    3. Biography / Autobiography    4. Europe - Great Britain - General    5. Historical - British    6. History    7. History: World    8. Mary,    9. Queen of Scots,    10. Queens    11. Royalty    12. Scotland    13. Women    14. History / Great Britain   

Subjects:  1. Castles    2. Europe - Great Britain - General    3. General    4. Great Britain    5. Guidebooks    6. History    7. History: World    8. Ireland    9. Travel - General    10. British & Irish history    11. History of specific subjects    12. United Kingdom, Great Britain   

Editorial Review

In the spring of 1854, John Rae, a Scottish immigrant to Canada, led a small party of explorers across the Boothia Peninsula to map the missing link in the fabled Northwest Passage. That signal accomplishment, along with Rae's other contributions to Canadian and world geography, should have earned him glory. Instead, Ken McGoogan tells us, Rae faded from the record.Read more

Reviews (6)

A point well made
After finishing Fatal Passage, I felt perhaps a twinge of the same frustration that John Rae must have felt in his last years. Rae had the misfortune of delivering the disturbing accounts of cannibalism among the members of the Franklin Expedition. The report was so disturbing, especially to the powerful Lady Jane Franklin, that public opinion turned against Rae, who was only reporting accurately what he had learned. The net result was that Rae became a controversial figure in his time, rather than being recognized as the amazingly adaptive explorer that he was. McCoogan helps restore Rae to his rightful place in history and I am grateful for the author's efforts. The book is well-written and looks at the search for the Northwest Passage from a unique angle. It is a shame that the political climate of the time robbed Rae of the recognition he deserved. As a snowshoer who could cover 50-60 miles in a day, he was also perhaps an athlete of incredible stature and this aspect is well documented in the book as well. I am happy I read the book and recommend it to anyone interested in Arctic exploration.

Canada's Greatest Adopted Hero
Ashamed of my ignorance of the history of our great neighbor to the north, Canadaland, I resolved to get this book to learn more of one of its greatest unsung heroes. Who, of course, had actually been born in Scotland. But he got over to Canuckia as soon as he could, and stayed a long time. Before going back to Britain. Well...he was still heroic, if not fully Canadian.
Flawed but informative
A biography of John Rae in more capable hands could have been a fantastic read. This is a mediocre presentation. Informative but annoyingly contrite and difficult to read unless you enjoy reading mattress pad labels. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. 1813-1893    2. Biography    3. British    4. Canada, Northern    5. Discovery and exploration    6. Expeditions & Discoveries    7. Explorers    8. History    9. History - General History    10. History: World    11. Northwest Passage    12. Polar Regions    13. Rae, John,    14. Scotland   

Editorial Review

Everyone knows that Henry VIII had six wives. Few people realize, however, that he had two sisters who became queens of Scotland and France, scandalizing their brother and most of Europe in the process. In Read more

Reviews (12)

Simply not the best
Regrettably, I have to agree with the other negative reviews here.I had been looking forward to reading this for months, but it was not worth the wait.Arid, lacklustre, lacking in narrative drive, it does not do the subject matter any favours.
An unfortunate snooze
As an avid fan of Henrician history, I was so looking forward to reading this work and finding out more about the Tudor king's royal sisters.However, what I found out was a lot of mind-numbing detail about period finances, wardrobe and travel itineraries and very little about the actual personalities of these women.
disappointing
I was very interested to read this book about the sisters of Henry VIII having become interested in them when reading Jean Plaidy's stories about them.I was very disappointed.The book really is about Henry VIII and a general history of that period.Mostly the author stresses that one does not know the reactions of either Mary or Margaret to certain events.But things are known about them. For instance, Mary's husband Charles, married right after she died.To whom?The book does not mention this. Also, he was not a faithful husband.Why not mention this?Margaret had small pox and was greatly disfigured but where was this fact in the book?? ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Biography / Autobiography    2. Europe - Great Britain - General    3. Historical - British    4. History    5. History: World    6. Royalty    7. Women   

Subjects:  1. Beauty & Grooming - General    2. Clans    3. Costume    4. Fashion & Grooming    5. Highlands    6. History    7. History: World    8. Reference    9. Scotland    10. Tartans    11. Local history    12. Non-Classifiable    13. Northern Scotland, Highlands & Islands    14. Social history    15. Sale Books   

Reviews (2)

interesting overview of a long forgotten battle
Once again, Ospery Campaign series bring us some detail and interesting account of a battle that 99% of American public probably never heard of. Peter Armstrong's book proves to bring some insight into this battle that remains a basic unknown for most readers. Thanks to lack of primary sources, the author had to make some educational conjectural accounts. But I found the details of the battle and the campaign to be pretty well put together and the summarized account of the entire English-Scottish border warfare that goes back to Walliam Wallace to be pretty well put together.
A solid general reference on an obscure battle.
_Otterburn 1388_ offers a solid general reference on this border battle between Scottish and English forces during the middle of the Hundred Years War.The section on the battle itself is hampered by a lack of information in the historical record.However, the introductory sections give a thorough background on the border conflict, going all the way back to Stirling Bridge and Falkirk ninety years before.The concluding sections are equally thorough, including a chapter and a map on the battle of Humbleton Hill a decade later involving many of the same combatants.Peter Armstrong does not have the academic credentials of some of the other medieval Osprey authors, such as David Nicolle, yet he covers the material with the detail of a professional in addition to the enthusiasm of a learned amateur. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Europe - Great Britain - Scotland    2. Great Britain    3. History    4. History - Military / War    5. Medieval    6. Military    7. Military - General    8. Military - Other    9. Otterburn, Battle of, Otterburn, England, 1388    10. Richard II, 1377-1399    11. Robert II, 1371-1390    12. Scotland    13. Battles & campaigns    14. British & Irish history: c 1000 to c 1500    15. History / Military / General    16. Northumberland    17. c 1000 CE to c 1500   

Reviews (2)

Gentle Columba - 1400 years on
This book is a collection of articles by various authors from the print and seminar publications of the Scottish Catholic Historical Association to commemorate Columba's death in 597 AD. Scholarly but unsatisfying
Any book written about Scottish history prior to 1,000 AD gets stuck in a bog somewhere between archaeology and history.I've read my share of densely detailed site descriptions from an archaeological perspective as well as mildly fanciful and somewhat romantic tales of Scottish clan lore.Both have their place.And most people who have read a similar assortment are longing for a writer to offer both.This collection of essays is written by scholars for scholars and although I slogged through it, it failed to offer interesting details of artifacts OR intriguing character sketches.The points that are argued are in no way passionate and the information offered is so subtle that I doubt the average Scottish-history hobbyist will find these essays compelling.Also, if you haven't read thoroughly on the subject, this book assumes a great deal of background knowledge and you will be lost easily if you are not well versed from the start.It rates a three in my eyes simply because it's about Scotland. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Cults    2. General    3. History - General History    4. Religion    5. Christianity   

Subjects:  1. Atlases    2. Atlases - General    3. Cartography    4. Historical Geography    5. History    6. Reference    7. Antiques & collectables: pictures, prints & maps    8. England    9. Ireland    10. Maps, charts & atlases    11. Scotland   

Reviews (1)

Decent primer on the subject
Actually the title of this Osprey publication is a bit misleading. Yes a couple of castles are illustrated, but mostly it is about tower houses, their development and construction. Most of the castles and tower houses illustrated are located in the scottish lowlands and none of them are actually associated with a scottish clan, hence the misleading part of the title. As with all Osprey publications don't expect too much since one cannot really go into depth into a subject in only 64 pages. That being said this is a good place to start but hardly the last word on the subject. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Europe - Great Britain - Scotland    2. History    3. History - Military / War    4. Military    5. Military - General    6. Military - Strategy    7. British & Irish history: c 1000 to c 1500    8. British & Irish history: c 1500 to c 1700    9. Castles    10. History / Military / General    11. Scotland    12. Warfare & Defence   

Reviews (1)

Tough read, but pays off
I stumbled across this after devouring Sam Watkins' COMPANY AYTCH and wanting more of the same. While this is a first person account of a Confederate soldier, don't confuse this with the more entertaining COMPANY AYTCH.
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Subjects:  1. Biography    2. Biography / Autobiography    3. Civil War, 1861-1865    4. Historical - U.S.    5. History    6. History: American    7. Military History - U.S. Civil War    8. Military Personal Narratives    9. Scotland    10. Soldiers    11. Southern States    12. United States    13. United States - Civil War    14. Watson, William,    15. b. 1826    16. American history: c 1800 to c 1900    17. Civil war    18. USA    19. Watson, William