The Scottish Chiefs (Scribner's Illustrated Classics) [Hardcover]

Jane Porter (Author), Nora A. Smith (Editor), Kate Douglas Wiggin (Editor), N. C. Wyeth (Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 9 and up

A romantic, suspenseful novel of Scotland's 14th-century heroes, Sir William Wallace and Robert the Bruce. First published in 1809 to spectacular success throughout Europe, this new edition captures the grandeur of the earlier edition, with Wyeth's glorious paintings reproduced from the original canvases.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Fiona Price's edition of Jane Porter's The Scottish Chiefs (1810) confirms its place as a key work in the development of the Romantic novel. In her wide-ranging introduction Price not only explores the novel's reputation as an influential precursor to Walter Scott's historical romances, but also establishes its topical force as an eloquent intervention on masculinity, heroism, and patriotism written at the height of the war against Napoleon. Price's authoritative account of the author's life and literary network is a valuable contribution to the history of women's writing. The appendices, highlighting Porter's editorial supplements, the critical controversy surrounding the novel, and other versions of the legend of William Wallace, provide fascinating insights into print culture and the workings of historical memory." (Emma Clery ) --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

From the Back Cover

Rooted in political controversy, gender warfare, violence, and revolution, Jane Porter's The Scottish Chiefs is the epic story of William Wallace's struggle for Scottish independence from English rule. After the cruel death of his wife at the hands of the English, Wallace embarks on a patriotic crusade to free Scotland, gathering around himself loyal followers of both sexes, drawn from across Scottish society. Using the cross-dressing motifs of romance, Porter demonstrates that women have a crucial role to play in the drama of national identity, either as temptresses or national heroines. The Scottish Chiefs is a landmark in the development of the historical novel, and explores vital questions of patriotism, civic duty, heroism, and the role of women. This Broadview edition offers a critical introduction and important historical contexts for the novel in the form of reviews, excerpts from Porter's prefaces, and other contemporary accounts of William Wallace. --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 9 and up
  
• Hardcover: 504 pages
• Publisher: Scribners (September 30, 1991)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 068419340X
• ISBN-13: 978-0684193403
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 7.6 x 1.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.8 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (34 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #335,478 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

74 of 77 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars William Wallace and Robert the Bruce, May 29, 2002

By 

Zack Davisson "japanreviewed" (Seattle, WA, USA) - See all my reviews
(HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)    (2008 HOLIDAY TEAM)    (TOP 100 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Scottish Chiefs (Scribner's Illustrated Classics) (Hardcover)

"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.

47 of 49 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fine Family Fare, November 11, 2002

By 

"drpegnwiz" (Kentucky) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Scottish Chiefs (Scribner's Illustrated Classics) (Hardcover)

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.

27 of 28 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars very good, March 3, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: The Scottish Chiefs (Scribner's Illustrated Classics) (Hardcover)

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.