Product Description

With this work, the author contends that the Highland rebellion was not a despairing last stand by a Celtic civilisation, and that Jacobite loyalties were not solely determined by the Highland line, Gaelic culture, or religion.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #616238 in Books
• Published on: 2001-04-23
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 248 pages

About the Author
Originally trained as a librarian, Stuart Reid joined the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers, rising to Sniper Sergeant. Now a surveyor he is also the author of All The Kings Armies and Wolfe: The Career of General James Wolfe from Culloden to Quebec, both published by Spellmount.

Customer Reviews

Review
There have been many histories of the 1745 Jacobite Rebellion and many more continue to be published. The question is, why should the reader bother with this one?

Well, it provides a wholly new perspective on the rising. Though the writer claims that he is not biassed, this is not the case, and this is not necessarily a bad thing. This book sees the rising as much from the viewpoint of the British Army (which the author once served in) as it does with the Jacobite rebels. Most histories are vice versa.

The Dyke of Cumberland and General Hawley, often and uncritically labelled 'The Butcher' and 'Hangman' are given a fairer assessment. Likewise, Lord George Murray, often praised as the genius of the rebel army, and O'Sullivan, another leading rebel, are reappraised. Far from being a genius, Murray is portrayed as a military novice who often made tactical errors. Sullivan comes off rather better - an experienced soldier, not a buffoon.

Reid is good on military details; many authors are not. Thus he rightly points out that cannonfire against the rebels at Culloden was not hugely effective until the rebels reached close quarters. He also squashes the myth that the defenders of London were an ill trained rabble of amateurs.

Of course, the book is not perfect. Concentrating wholly on military factors, we do not see any of the crucial political, religious and economic factors which were also of importance.

This is a long overdue revisionist treatment of the rebellion and should act as an antidote to the majority of pro-Jacobite histories in this field.

Middle-ground?
Interesting title for a rare balanced view - to use the pro-Jacobite rising rather than the pro-Hanovarian rebellion. Reid always has much to contribute, and if this one prompts dispute so much the better. Some same-old same-old myths are punctured but the real problem is how to cut through the legend-creation of years of one-sided press. Reid comes close, making good account of previously under-used archive material, as always, and provides an excellent study of the differences between the two armies. But, like many, and with my partisan hands up, I must be reluctant to achieve balance here, call me an old romantic, but maybe we need to fall over the other way for a while before we can really see the middle-ground. This is a strong and worthwhile addition to the ongoing debate.