Somerled: And the Emergence of Gaelic Scotland [Paperback]

John Marsden (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 1862321019 | ISBN-13: 978-1862321014 | Publication Date: August 28, 2000

Throughout most of 800 years, Somerled of Argyll has been variously denounced as an intractable rebel against his rightful king and esteemed as the honoured ancestor of the later medieval Lords of the Isles, but he can be recognized as a much more complex figure of major prominence in 12th-century Scotland and of truly landmark significance in the long history of the Gael. The author assembles, evaluates and interprets the full spectrum of evidence - from Scottish and Manx chroniclers, Irish annalists and Gaelic tradition bearers - for Somerled's life and legend. Individual chapters investigate his emergence in the forefront of the Gaelic-Norse aristocracy of the western seaboard, his part in Gaeldom's challenge to the Canmore kings of Scots, and his extraordinary invasion of the Clyde which was cut short by his violent death at Renfrew in 1164.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

John Marsden is the author of Galloglas.

--This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

Product Details

• Paperback: 180 pages
• Publisher: Tuckwell Press, Ltd. (August 28, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1862321019
• ISBN-13: 978-1862321014
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #5,371,836 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Somerled: And the Emergence of Gaelic Scotland, November 16, 2004

By 

L. McDonald (West Jordan, Utah United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Somerled: And the Emergence of Gaelic Scotland (Paperback)

I was pleased to see another history of Somerled, but was disappointed the author discounted family traditions about Somerled as biased and then quoted the writings of his adversaries as if gospel. An author certainly has the right to pick his sources and write his history from whatever perspective he chooses. I have read many of the source materials used for this work and I disagree with the author's conclusions. It was good to see Somerled from a different point of view, but I am more inclined to accept the traditional view of Somerled as the Celtic hero.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Very well written and researched, July 29, 2005

By 

Donna M. Hartung (Fairfax, VA, USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Somerled: And the Emergence of Gaelic Scotland (Paperback)

I have never read such well done work. I am pleased that the author considers so many things. The author explains and writes about his life like he was the greatest legend of the Northern Dark Ages, he was I think. As one of the descendednts of Somerled, I am pleased how well his life is written. Very well done. The only negitive thing I have to say about the book is sometimes it was hard to follow but then it picks up again. Lots of ecerpts from anchient documents and chronicles and other sources.