Reviews (2)

Great for the more enthusiastic Mary fans.
This book is short, but packed full of information.I would not recommend it for anyone unfamiliar with Mary Queen of Scots, however, as it demands a basic historical knowledge from the reader, in order for it to be appreciated.If you've an idea of what Mary was about, though, and want to learn more about this turning point in her life, I would definately suggest this book as a good place to start.Lewis accurately portrays all sides of the event, including those which have little historical evidence to support them.

Review of Lewis's 'Mary Queen Of Scots'
This is a wonderfully written text.I was forced to read it for a class and ended up keeping it because it was a steady/easy read with more then enough information then was needed for class work.Lewis does a great job of convening a lot of the trials and tribulations of Mary.Highly suggested if you have a class and need something to study up on, have a report on Mary, or just want a book that talks about Mary, Queen of Scots without the tone of a boring history teacher. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Europe - Great Britain - Scotland    2. History - General History    3. History: World    4. British & Irish history: c 1500 to c 1700    5. History / General    6. Scotland   

Subjects:  1. (David Robertson)    2. Description and travel    3. Essays & Travelogues    4. Europe - Great Britain - General    5. Europe - Great Britain - Scotland    6. Europe - Gt. Britain/Scotland    7. Historic sites    8. History    9. History: World    10. Motorcycling    11. Ross, David R    12. Scotland    13. Scotland - History    14. Travel    15. Travel - General    16. British & Irish history    17. Cultural Region/British Isles    18. History/Europe - General    19. Travel / Essays & Travelogues    20. Travel / General    21. Travel/Europe - General   

Subjects:  1. Antiques & Collectibles    2. Antiques / Collectibles    3. Antiques/Collectibles    4. Collectors and collecting    5. Great Britain    6. History    7. Silver flatware    8. Silver, Gold & Other Metals    9. Antiques & collectables: gold & silver (other than jewellery)    10. Antiques & collectables: jewellery    11. British Isles    12. England    13. Ireland    14. Modern period, c 1500 onwards    15. Scotland   

Reviews (1)

A much used reference
My grandfather has a first edition 1938 copy of this in his collection, I have have a 1960 much used and rebound twice version.It's one I use at the first "go to" anytime I need a fast run down on a Clan or a Tartan, this is what I pick up.Nifty wee book with punch!Give the Clan Name in English and Gaelic, Motto's Old and Altered, Clan Badge with description, Origin on Clan Name, Plant Badge, War Cry and Pipe Music, with full plate colour of their tartan(s) and a surprisingly in-depth mini history for each Clan.Read more

Subjects:  1. Clans    2. Clans and clan systems    3. Genealogy    4. Sale Adult - History - General History    5. Scotland    6. Tartans    7. Sale Books   

Subjects:  1. 18th century    2. Economic conditions    3. Edinburgh    4. Employment    5. Employment Of Women    6. History    7. History: World    8. Scotland    9. Social conditions    10. Women   

Reviews (2)

Good effort, but lacking
Having been involved with Western Martial Arts for several years with a strong emphasis in Scottish weaponry I was very intrigued by this book.Upon purchasing it and reading it I felt it was ok but lacked in several areas.
well researched
I am both a reenactor and a martial artist and a student of fencing with about 25 years experience.I have a library that contains about 350 books on the martial arts and weapons combat.Also, I have spent many visits to the Library of Congress and elsewhere researching weapons combat including many of the books the author cites.In my effort to learn this lost art, I have fought many times with weapons including arenas such as the SCA.Having stated a little bit about my background let me state simply:This is the finest book I have ever found for those interested in learning to use the various weapons of highland origins.The authors conclusions seem to dead on and if you are a student seeking knowledge than there is no better manual.I warn you though, if you would rather believe what the movies and most modern martial arts schools claim than this is not a book for you as the author tells the truth. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Arms and armor    2. Europe - Great Britain    3. Europe - Great Britain - Scotland    4. History    5. History / Military / Weapons    6. Martial Arts & Self-Defense    7. Military - Weapons    8. Scotland    9. Sports & Recreation    10. Sports & Recreation / Martial Arts & Self-Defense    11. Swordplay    12. Swords, Scottish   

Subjects:  1. 1926-    2. Biography/Autobiography    3. Collections Of Photographs    4. Country life    5. Elizabeth    6. Family    7. Great Britain    8. History - General History    9. Homes and haunts    10. II,    11. Queen of Great Britain,    12. Scotland   

Reviews (21)

Real Life the Stuff of Romance
This meticulously researched story of Mary Stuart reads like the very best of historical novels.Weir creates a finely woven tapestry of fact, pacing and style.A thoroughly satisfying and absorbing read.

One of the best books about Mary, ever!
Reading this book, I fell in love again with Mary Stuart, just as I did when I read Antonia Fraser's bio many years ago. Weir is one of the best history writers alive today. She scrupulously sifts evidence, never resorting to fantasy or sensationalism to make the story more romantic. Nothing is more romantic than the truth in the case of Mary, or more gut-wrenching. Weir clears Mary's name, leaving the reader no doubt of her innocence. She does not give into the temptation to build up a romance with Bothwell, but sticks with the facts. Anyone who had ever had friends or relatives who felt trapped in a difficult marriage will relate to Mary and her situation with Darnley. And yet Mary chose the noblest course of action. A living portrait, highly recommended!!

Hollywood/Hollyrood
Weir does an excellent job in providing the background of this most famous murder in Scotland, and the dire consequences that fell on Mary afterwards.
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Subjects:  1. 1545-1567    2. 16th century    3. Biography    4. Darnley, Henry Stuart,    5. Death and burial    6. Europe - Great Britain - General    7. Europe - Great Britain - Scotland    8. History    9. History - General History    10. History: World    11. Homicide    12. Lord,    13. Mary,    14. Murder    15. Queens    16. Scotland    17. Darnley, Henry Stuart    18. History / Great Britain    19. Marriage    20. Mary   

Reviews (4)

I ABSOLUTELY LOVED THIS BOOK!
Murray does a great job of telling us about the true Rob Roy MacGregor (versus the tarted up Sir Walter F. Scott rendition to quote an English friend friend of mine)! Murray explains clearly the politics of the time in England, and the Lowlands and Highlands of Scotland: Christianity (Catholicism and Protestantism); the Whigs and the Torys; etc. He gives a vivid depiction of the Highland way of life from the daily routine to engaging in commerce amongst local Highland clans, the Lowlanders, and England. Let's not forget "abduction" of live-stock for which Rob Roy in particular was well-noted. There is even information on the materials used in the dying of kilt and tartan plaids. The impression one gets is that if the Highlanders were left alone to continue their way of life, who knows how wonderfully it would have evolved and what contributions they could have made to the world. Murray is given extra credit here because he had to re-start this writing while in a Nazi POW camp. A must read for all who are interested in all things Scottish!

Excellent, in-depth work
A fascinating biography.This book inspired the film with Liam Neeson, but is so much more than a glimpse of the incidents chronicled in the film.W.H. Murray has given a well-researched, well-documented look at highland life that enables the reader to step into the shoes (or lack thereof) ofthe Scottish highlander.Everything from the clan structure, rivalries,English oppression, how to carry a handful of oats dipped in a stream fordaily ration; it's all there.Mr. Murray gives us very detailedinformation on the subtleties of the constantly changing political climateand the MacGregor's sense of injustice. Dipping into History
This is a book for a scholar or a person dipping into Scottish history for the first time. An excellent book about Highlanders and there are precious few books available on the topic. The author has considered vastquanitities of sources; the only books lacking are Gaelic language sourcessuch as those bilingual editions published by the Scottish Academic TextsSociety. The author shows a broad understanding of the politics andeconomics of the period; what is unique is an attempt to understand Gaelicsociety. The "creach" or cattle raid is explained from a Highlandpoint of view; it's a custom sanctified in the great Gaelic epic "T�inB� Cuailgne". The format is very appealing as historical events arerelated to the colourful life of this one honourable man. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. 1671-1734    2. 18th century    3. Biography    4. Biography & Autobiography    5. Biography / Autobiography    6. Biography/Autobiography    7. Europe - Great Britain - Scotland    8. General    9. Highlands    10. Highlands (Scotland)    11. Historical - British    12. History    13. Outlaws    14. Political    15. Rob Roy,    16. Scotland    17. Biography: historical    18. British & Irish history: c 1500 to c 1700   

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Reviews (2)

A Lively History of a Swindle
You will not find the land of Poyais on any map.A guidebook in 1822 described the South American country in glowing terms.It had good soil, timber, gold, a healthful atmosphere, and a work force eager to bring the country into modernity.Descriptions of Poyais made it especially attractive for the times; there was speculation that a canal would be dug to unite the Atlantic and Pacific, and the region was going to be a new world economic center.The Cazique (Prince) of Poyais himself was in London and Paris in the 1820's, and he and his wife were was greeted by the rich and powerful, and bankers and investors were eager to befriend him by making money from his country.Ships carrying immigrants to the new land were chartered and sailed off.The problem was that Poyais never existed.In _The Land that Never Was: Sir Gregor MacGregor and the Most Audacious Fraud in History_ (Da Capo Press), David Sinclair has told an extraordinary tale about an amusing, and deadly, hoax; it is a rattling good book of history and human folly. The Greatest Con Man Of All Time
P.T. Barnum may never have heard of Sir Gregor MacGregor, but he no doubt had his type of personality in mind when he coined the immortal phrase, "There's a sucker born every minute." David Sinclair's new book, "The Land That Never Was," presents the story of MacGregor and the greatest confidence scheme that ever was...the mythical Central American land of Poyais. In the early 1820s, MacGregor persuaded hundreds of his fellow Scotsmen to abandon their lives, homes and property to sail across the Atlantic and begin new lives in Poyais, which he ruled over as "Cazique."
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Subjects:  1. 19th century    2. Biography    3. Central America    4. Emigration & Immigration    5. Emigration And Immigration    6. Europe - Great Britain - General    7. Europe - Great Britain - Scotland    8. Fraud    9. Generals    10. Great Britain    11. History    12. History - General History    13. History: World    14. Latin America - Central America    15. Modern - 19th Century    16. Scotland    17. Scotland - History    18. Bargain   

Subjects:  1. Ancient - General    2. Antiquities    3. Archaeology    4. Archaeology / Anthropology    5. Civilization    6. Europe - Great Britain - General    7. Europe - Great Britain - Scotland    8. Excavations (Archaeology)    9. Great Britain    10. History    11. History: World    12. Northmen    13. Scandinavian influences    14. Scotland    15. Vikings    16. British & Irish history: c 1000 to c 1500    17. British & Irish history: c 500 to c 1000    18. Celtic, Saxon, Germanic & Nordic archaeology    19. Language Arts & Disciplines / Journalism    20. c 1000 CE to c 1500    21. c 500 CE to c 1000 CE   

Reviews (1)

The Lord's of the Isles and Clan Donald beyond
I really enjoyed Mr. Raymond Campbell Paterson's history of the Lord of the Isles.He tells it in more of a political history following the time line without retracing each branch of Clan Donald's history with overlap.He begins with Somerled and his possible roots and rise to power.From there he follows each of the leaders of the clan through the Lords of the Isles. Mr. Paterson dispels many of the myths and tries to show the historical truths to many of Clan Donald's legends.I have a greater understanding of the dynamics between Clan Donald and Clan Campbell.Not always the exact tales I have heard via Clan Donald.Might have something to do with the author's Campbell roots.But we see that they interacted and weren't the bane of each others existence that myth and legend presents.Clan Donald as we see had its hands full with the Royal Stewarts.Mr. Paterson follows each of the Lords of the Isles and gives some great stories of other incredible individuals from Clan Donald that are often overshadowed by the Lords of the Isles like Alasdair MacColla and the Antrim Macdonnels.He continues the history of the clan through the fall of Lord John, Angus Og and Donald Dubh as most histories do but he also continues through to show the continuing struggle of each branch: Clanranald, Glengarry, Sleat, Keppoch, Dunyveg and Glencoe.Each branch struggles through the 1700 and 1800's finally succumbing to the highland clearances.This book is a great addition to my collection on Scottish history and the Clan Donald.If you love Highland history or Clan Donald this is a must. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Donaldson family    2. Europe - Great Britain - Scotland    3. Europe - Ireland    4. History    5. History - General History    6. History: World    7. Scotland    8. To 1603    9. Western Isles (Scotland)   

Subjects:  1. Genealogy    2. Reference    3. Family history    4. Scotland   

Reviews (4)

piping knowledge
I found this book quite good.It is certainly more informative about the music than Cheape's book (the Book of the Bagpipe), and is certainly a good follow-up to Cannon's book (the Highland Bagpipe and It's Music), going deeper into the tunes and the people behind them.Cannon's book is also excellent in my impression, though a bit harder to read than 'Pipers'. Certianly Donaldson has his own point of view, which can be humerous at times since there are plenty of things about the pipingtradition he doesn't like (e.g., the incessent "Amazing Grace").I guess I agree with him on that one.But his other 'opinions' seem well supported by the evidence he provides, and in fact, hard not to believe, given the history of traditions in general.Piobaireachd is not the first to suffer under the hope of idle money.If judges are staring into books while pipers are playing tunes, then one has to wonder what's more important, a possibly bottle-necked tradition, or the sound of the music!
A missed opportunity
Reliable information on the Highland Bagpipe is hard to come by.This unique and fascinating instrument, with its wonderful scale and five centuries of classical music has become buried underneath popular misconceptions based on pipe bands playing out of tune versions of simple melodies.Donaldson does a sterling job of providing much valuable information, but his perception of the flawed (according to him) performance of the Piobaireachd Society in the 20th century in attempting to preserve and standardise the music is a definite distraction.One is left with the feeling that he has remained on the outskirts of the piping world - an observer who is not quite one of the inner group.He has an obsession with the faults of Archibald Campbell, the editor of most of the Society's publications, which obscures the truth that , in piobaireachd music, the printed score is nothing but a rough guide.The music needs a competent teacher to bring it to life.
Highly informative and an excellent read! Not to be missed!
This book is an education for anyone interested in traditional music. It is packed with information on pipers but it what I particularly like is how much it explains - how pipers learn the instrument, how they teach and how the music has been passed down, sometimes well, sometimes not. There are accounts of the great pipers of the last 250 years with over 40 photographs, including the earliest known photo of a piper taken by Octavius Hill in 1847. The sections on composition in the light music (which began, the writer says, as a 'cheerful hotch potch' of songs and fiddle tunes picked up and richly developed by pipers) and also how piobaireachd is composed are a relevation. Donaldson also explains 'canntaireachd' and 'oral tradition' and gives the first sensible account I have seen of where the pipe band came from.
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Subjects:  1. Bagpipe    2. Bagpipe music    3. Bagpipers    4. Biography    5. Genres & Styles - Folk & Traditional    6. History    7. History & Criticism - General    8. History and criticism    9. Music    10. Music/Songbooks    11. Musical Instruments - Woodwinds    12. Reference - Guides & Reviews    13. Scotland    14. Woodwind instruments   

Reviews (1)

life of a British soldier
Weir furnishes a microcosmic view of the Great War, as seen by Glascow's Territorials. A distinguished battalion that took part in many searing battles on the Western Front. The names still resonate 90 years later. Somme. Ypres....
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Subjects:  1. Campaigns    2. Europe - Great Britain - General    3. France    4. History    5. History - Military / War    6. Military    7. Military - World War I    8. Regimental histories    9. Scotland    10. World War, 1914-1918    11. British & Irish history: First World War    12. First World War, 1914-1918    13. History / Military / World War I    14. Regiments   

Reviews (8)

Great resource for historians and genealogists!
This book is invaluable for anyone researching royal genealogies and history students. Highly recommend, along with the "Mammoth Book of Kings and Queens"

PERFECT REFERENCE BOOK
As an avid reader of historical fiction, histories, and such I have grown to rely on this book as a companion.Most helpful are the flowcharts that accompany each new dynasty - too often I find myself forgetting who was married to whom...no more! Great for everyone!
This is a neat, fun, informative book for everyone, young and old alike. Facts, information, interesting anecdotes, and superb pictures and graphics. The handy size makes it perfect for kids working on reports for school as well.A super book for a number of reasons, and a great one to have on your shelf, especially if you have kids in school or simply want to know more about British Royalty. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Biography    2. Biography & Autobiography    3. Biography/Autobiography    4. Europe - Great Britain - General    5. Europe - Great Britain - Scotland    6. Great Britain    7. History    8. History - General History    9. History: World    10. Kings and rulers    11. Monarchy    12. Politics and government    13. Royalty    14. Scotland    15. Biography & Autobiography / Royalty   

Reviews (3)

Omitted
I have two problems with this book however meritorious thedescriptions of swordsmanship.
A very interesting resource for writers
This books is a wonderful resource for writers or reinactors.It pays ode to the romanticising of Scottish fighters such as Rob Roy, Wallace, The Bruce and Bonnie Prince Charlie, but goes past these legendary images to show you the reasons for certain practices.It covers the basics of offence and defence,especially in the fencing techniques of the 17th through 19th centuries.I do wish I would have covered the medieval aspects of Highland swordsmanship:The Claymore.The movements for using the longest two handed sword is wonderful to see in action, so I had hoped this book would cover that. A good book!
Mark Rector has put together an interesting volume that serves both as a historical reference to old Scottish swordplay, and a guide to those individuals interested in the recreation of old styles of sword combat. Happily, it is also easy to read, and nicely illustrated. As the author of "THE ART AND SCIENCE OF FENCING," "THE INNER GAME OF FENCING," and "THE ENCYCLOPEDIA OF THE SWORD," and the editor/publisher of "FENCERS QUARTERLY MAGAZINE," I recommend this book. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Fencing    2. Highlands    3. History    4. History: World    5. Medieval    6. Scotland    7. Sports & Recreation    8. Swordplay    9. Highlands (Scotland)    10. History of specific subjects    11. Special & elite forces    12. Swordsmen    13. Weapons & equipment    14. c 1600 to c 1700    15. c 1700 to c 1800    16. c 1800 to c 1900   

Reviews (4)

Handle with care
This book is attractive, but it has many flaws in content and in many ways is just plain sloppy -- poorly written and poorly edited.The author has no notes, so it is very difficult to tell his sources unless they are from very well known individuals (generals, religious leaders, etc.), and when one compares the original words of these people with what Kennedy quotes them as saying, one finds that Kennedy often misquotes them.Much other information is inaccurate as well, so this book cannot be trusted by genealogists or anyone else.The book is full of statements like "Davy Crockett was elected to represent Tennessee in the White House" (no, he was elected to Congress) that show that the author either wrote too quickly or did not have anyone review his work or worse.Too bad, because the subject matter has great appeal.
Sorry I bought it
A tedious and self-serving paean to the Scotch-Irish of the American frontier. Billy Kennedy has a knack for recycling his own material and presents us nothing new, he simply trots out the usual vainglorious accounts of the American frontier and a few of the more famous people of Scotch-Irish descent who lived there. An excellent reading book
If you have ever wondered if your Tennessee ancestor was Scots-Irish, then this book will answer some of your questions.The book is an easy read and one I will be recommending to the relatives that want to know why ancestors left Scotland, went to Ireland and ended up in the colonies.Especially interesting for those wanting a nice-to-read book is the treatment of well known people like Daniel Boone, Sam Houston, TN Gov. Blount., and others.If you want a comprehensive treatment for further research, then this is probably not the book for you.I found Mr. Kennedy to be very entertaining while delivering excellent summaries of genealogical and historical information. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. History    2. History - U.S.    3. History: American    4. Scots-Irish    5. Tennessee    6. United States - General    7. United States - State & Local - General    8. Civil rights & citizenship    9. History of specific racial & ethnic groups    10. Immigrants    11. Immigration & emigration    12. Ireland    13. Irish Americans    14. Scotland    15. Scottish Americans    16. Social history    17. USA   

Subjects:  1. 1066-1485    2. 1485-1603    3. Europe - Great Britain - General    4. Great Britain    5. History    6. History - General History    7. History, Military    8. History: World    9. Scottish Borders (England and    10. Scottish Borders (England and Scotland)    11. History / General   

Reviews (1)

Excellent!
The final chapter of this book might be the most important thing you will ever read on the believer's ground of assurance. Certain knowledge of one's salvation (justification) is to be based solely in the promise of God andNEVER in good works. This is just as Calvin taught who said in hisInstitutes of the Christian Religion, "If men begin to judge whetherthey are regenerate by good works nothing will ever be more uncertain ormore evil' (and) 'If works be judged by themselves by their imperfectionthey will no less declare God's wrath than by their incomplete purity willtestify to his benevolence' (and) 'When a Christian looks to himself he canonly have grounds for anxiety, indeed despair' (and) 'We should not seekassurance by conjecture, for faith corresponds to a simple and freepromise, hence no place for doubting is left!'" ... Read more

Subjects:  1. 1509-1564    2. Assurance (Theology)    3. Calvin, Jean,    4. Christianity - Theology - General    5. History    6. History of doctrines    7. Individual Theologians And Their Works (General)    8. Religion    9. Salvation (Theology)    10. Scotland    11. Theology    12. Theology, Doctrinal    13. Calvin, Jean    14. Calvinist, Reformed & Presbyterian Churches    15. Christian theology