Customer Reviews

The Scottish Chiefs; The True Story of Braveheart [Annotated] [Illustrated]

5 star:		(25)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

"The Scottish Chiefs" is a classic adventure tale, told in the style of Sir Walter Scott's "Rob Roy." The National Hero of Scotland, William Wallace, gets his story told with a heavy emphasis on romance and drama.

Those seeking a book version of "Braveheart" may be disappointed, as the story is quite different. The William Wallace of "The Scottish Chiefs," like the historical William Wallace, is a castle dwelling nobleman who surrenders his fortunes to fight for Scotland. The writing style is thick, and should be familiar to readers of this genre. "The Scottish Chiefs" is a huge, heavy book with a plot that unfolds at a patient pace.

This edition of "The Scottish Chiefs" contains illustrations by N.C. Wyeth, and acclaimed illustrator of Children's books and the father of artist Andrew Wyeth. The paintings are all direct scenes from the book, and capture the spirit of the adventure in fine detail.

This tale of Scots resistance against English King Edward is essential to those who grew up with "Scots wha hae wi' Wallace bled" in their ears. Others may enjoy it more for its romance. What pleased me most was seeing the medieval (turn of 13th-14th century) history through the focus of the English author Jane Porter, whose text was published in 1809, and the 1921 edition's illustrations by N.C. Wyeth. Atheneum's reissue is well bound and printed; the book feels pleasant to the hand. Most of all, Porter's latinate sentences beg to be read aloud. Although sold for ages 9-12, the text would be difficult for many of my college freshmen. Lucky the child with a parent to read it aloud! Lucky the adult with a child to read it to, or, failing that, to have these 500+ pages on the bedside table to peruse at day's end.

My copy of this book was published in 1858, I found it in a little second hand book store in Stirling, Scotland, not far from the castle. I found the book to be well written and very interesting, especially if you had spent time at "Bannock Burn", or had seen, and visited the Wallace Monument. If you get the chance to visit the area where this great story took place you can see the "Scots" as they took control of the field of battle and destroyed Edward army. It's too bad that the movie didn't tell the whole story. I THINK this book is one which should be read by all Americians (as well as FREE PEOPLE anywhere) as it tells the story of our founding fathers and the freedom they sought for all of us.

This book remains one of my all time favorites right up there with Les Miseables and the Forsythe Saga; my 1883 edition published by John Wurtele Lovell in New York has 652 pages of very small print but it will be well worth a third reading. The historical detail in the footnotes is as interesting as the main story; e.g., referring to a shattered tower of the castle of Lammington a footnote reads, "The ruins of this tower are still visible; and near to them the people of this country point out the place where Wallace encamped his brave army". I had difficulty relating the movie, "Braveheart", with Jane Porter's account of Wallace and Bruce, and favor Porter's version of the relationship between Wallace and Bruce. During the second reading I was more aware of all the embracing and weeping by the cast of characters as portrayed by Porter; it seemed a little unreal and overdone, but she calls her novel a "romance" so she is forgiven. I have shared this book with many of my friends and would not hesitate to recommend it to anyone from 9 yrs of age to 90.

If you liked watching Braveheart you will love this book. It has it all, a hero with a just cause who won't be bribed. Evil henchmen, beautiful women, strong handsome men, kings, knights, archers, war without the gore, spies, traitors and loyal aides. It's long but a page burner. As a paperback it would be a good summer beach read. As a hardbound, its a wonderful rainy weekend read. (I also really like the illustrations, they add a lot to the character of the book.)

I found this book later in life and wondered how I missed it when I was growing up. I've given several copies as gifts and all who got it liked it.

Best of all 500 years later it all works out and Scotland has its own parliment.

Like the others, I agree that this book contains everything: history, romance, adventure, and more! The aspect of this book I found most interesting was the spiritual truth upon which Wallace and company continually reverted back to. Their undaunted faith in Christ was the element that held this story together for me. I agree with others that this book should be read in schools.

I read this book twice while I was in school, and now that I'm a History major, I've come to appreciate it even more. The story is descriptive, satisfying, and faithful to the memories of Robert the Bruce, King of Scotland, and Sir William Wallace.

While not perfect historically, it is much closer to what actually occurred than the events as shown in Mel Gibson's BRAVEHEART. Perhaps someone should use SCOTTISH CHIEFS as a basis.

I first read this book more than 30years ago. It is the first book that I read twice before returning it to the library. One man, out of the whole nation stood up to the English tyranny and said I can no longer be silent. The courage and ingenuity demonstrated by Wallace, as well as his great strategic thinking give Sir William Wallace a place high above men of nobler birth.

My soul could not rest until I visited the monument to Wallace, outside Stirling, Scotland. Read the book, visit the monument, and be inspired to stand alone when all around you have given up on morality, courage, truth and values.

This classic should be read by all. It is a story of great courage and conviction, a story in which good brave men fight the scoundrels, and sweet strong ladies stand by their men. There is so much to be drawn from a book like this. I intend to read it several more times before my life is over and make it required reading for my children one day. We need more men as William Wallace and Robert the Bruce, boys such as the faithful Edwin, wives and daughters such as Isabelle and Helen. If Scottish Patriots filled the pews of our churches, the Church would rise up in a great way.

I so enjoyed reading this book. It was beautifully written, although it took a little while to get used to the way they spoke then. It can not really be compared to the movie Braveheart, because although both the book and the movie are about William Wallace, the story line is different. This book is not just a quick way to learn the story line. You have to appreciate the old dialect, and the talent with which Jane Porter incorporated so much detail. This is truly a classic story and has become one of my favorite books.