Customer Reviews

The Wallace

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Mr. Tranter is an amazing author. I enjoyed Braveheart for its tale although I know that it is very historically inaccurate. Not to mention I did not like the portrayal of Robert the Bruce. The Wallace is Braveheart times 100. This book follows William Wallace's life from his humble beginnings, to rebel and champion of the commons. It peaks with his knighting by Bruce and appointment as Guardian of all of Scotland. Then is follows to his Ambassadorship to France and finally with his betrayal and tragic execution by the English. Reading this book, I felt I was on the battlefields with Wallace. I felt his frustration and his pain. I shared his joy in victory. This is a wonderful read. This book also compliments Nigel Tranter's Bruce Trilogy and gives us a view of the same Scotland at the same time from another point of view. Get it and read it.

This is a wonderful and moving book by the great Scottish historical novelist, Nigel Tranter. It was difficult to put this book down, even though I knew the basic story of William Wallace from the film, Braveheart. Tranter is a master at weaving together historical facts and speculations. His characters seem quite real, as do the battles, meetings, and intrigues that occur in the novel.

It is all very believable--much more so than some of the scenes in Braveheart.

I have read three books by Tranter since reading this book, and they are all good. I would also like to recommend Kenneth (about the great King of the Picts, Kenneth Mac Alpin), High Kings and Vikings (an sequel of sorts to Kenneth), and The Story of Scotland, by this author.

For anyone who enjoyed the movie 'Braveheart', and who wants to read the story of the life of William Wallace in novel format, this is the book to read. Nigel Tranter, the master story-teller, brings the people and the times to life, backed-up by his excellent historical research. We would recommend this book without hesitation. (MacBraveHeart, May 1999)

Maybe it's just the high expectations I had for this novel that led to my disappointment, or maybe it's because I just finished reading Sharon Kay Penman's excellent 13th century Welsh trilogy, and it's unfair to compare these two authors who are in so obviously different leagues. I found The Wallace very one-dimensional and tedious; a catalogue of military and political exploits by a very flat character. None of the characters really came alive for me. Not to mention the astounding number of small historical inaccuracies that left a very bad taste in my mouth. The armor described is at least a hundred years too early (there were no visored helmets or steel breastplates in the late 13th century, a jack is very different from a breastplate, etc). Not once was an English knight mentioned as having a shield, when in fact, a shield was actually required equipment for knights of this time period. English knights were depicted not wearing leg armor so they could ride better (hunh? Only cavalry wears leg armor since their legs are incredibly vulnerable). Wallace's sword is reported as being five feet long and a dozen pounds or so; even the over-heavy replica made for the Braveheart movie was only 8 pounds.

Ok, ok, so maybe these historical inaccuracies can be overlooked, they are only details of arms and armor in a novel that is little more than a catalogue of military exploits. But what about the battle of Falkirk? Tranter describes Edward's heavy horse plowing through the staked ropes and snapping the pikes with ease, while according to actual history it is the pikes that utterly defeated the heavy horse charge. It was only when Edward moved his archers up to fire into the schiltroms, making holes in the formation, that the heavy horse could ride in and break it up.

Such inaccuracies could be overlooked if there was a compelling story here, but there just isn't. Even the death of Wallace's beloved wife is described, the impact on Wallace included, in just one page! The entire novel is purely from Wallace's point of view (third-person), so we never know what is going on in Edward's (or anyone else's) mind. What are Wallace's motivations? Yes, yes, freedom for Scotland, but this is never poignantly depicted.

All in all, I was not overly impressed with this novel (especially given all of the 5/5 ratings). Now this wasn't a terrible novel, but it just doesn't deserve the praise it's been getting here. I love history and historical fiction, but maybe after reading Penman ("Here Be Dragons") and Cornwell ("The Winter King"), I expect too much.

2.5 / 5

There are three historians that makes history come truly alive, Bruce Catton with this many books on the War Between of States in US, and two fictional writers Bernard Cornwell with this Sharpes and Starbucks, and Nigel Bruce with his passion for Scotland. He wrote many superior novels of dealing with Scottish History, but Wallace is my second favourite, the Bruce Trilogy being the first. When you read this book, you feel as though you opened a door and stepped through time. You see Wallace as a man, not just a legend. The tale is rousing covering the period when it was most active in the struggle against Longshanks.

Tranter's tales give you a time machine effect, to where you feel as if you were stepping back in time.

If you were moved by 'Braveheart' - you'll enjoy this book.It is rumoured that some of Mel Gibson's scenes - on film, were elaborations of Tranter's imagery (Gibson probably culled ideas from a number of such sources).

The movie image of Wallace made him seem rather 'clean' - resorting to violence only insofar as it furthered the cause of independence, never as a wanton act of blood-lust. Some historians question that. Again, despite the bad image heaped upon the English (certainly deserving of it, in the historical context, especially Edward 'Longshanks'),there are those who argue that the Scottish nobility (basically Anglo-Scottish) oppressed the Scots, without anyone else's help. This ambivalence was evident in the movie, and it is still there in the book (viz. the 'wavering' Bruce).

As always, there are quibbles about historical details and facts. But when all is said and done, the basic story of William Wallace - or rather - 'The Wallace' as he is known in Scotland, is one of heroic struggle for independence. It is good to read Tranter's imaginative reconstruction of events, which evidently required historical research. Like the movie, reading this book made me feel something for 'The Wallace' - for the Scottish people, their suffering, their courage - and their pride. This story is moving, because it exemplies the polarity of human nature. On the one hand, the urge to subjugate and conquer, on the other, the equally strong urge to shake off the shackles of oppression. The latter represents the nobler side of human nature - and in the present world climate, the tale of William Wallace and his struggle remind us of what is at stake.

I love the movie Braveheart. Recently, I had the pleasure of visiting the beautiful and friendly country of Scotland. I asked several historians and tour guides in Scotland what is the best book to read about the real life of William Wallace. They all suggested this book. The book was pretty good. Its slow a certain spots, and not always the best written. However it is reasonably accurate and at times rather engaging. I did read while in Scotland so that added something extra to make it even better. It is a pretty good read. I also suggest "On the Trail of William Wallace."

The late Nigel Tranter was, without doubt, Scotland's master of historical fiction. "The Wallace" was a splendid example of his work. I did find myself confused in a few places (and found this somewhat surprising as I am an historian by nature ... with a specialty in the Scottish wars of independence). Otherwise, an excellent novel and very enjoyable.

This was my first foray into a Nigel Tranter book and it was a rewarding experience. Overall, this book was entertaining, but for me to fully enjoy it, took some googling. I had to take breaks while I researched the Geography, and the various battles. (Falkirk, Stirling Bridge, Loudoun Hill, and others.) While this slowed down my reading, seeing actual pictures of the terrain and artist depictions of the battles, enhanced my enjoyment greatly. I am guessing that a huge portion of Tranter's readers live in Scotland and will readily know the geography, and have a passing familiarity with the history of the Wars of Scottish Independence. If, like me, this is all new to you, a little extra work might be required.

The depiction of the Battle of Stirling Bridge in particular was fascinating. I had not realized that the William Wallace of Mel Gibson's "Braveheart" had met the English in the "Battle of Stirling," leaving the Bridge for some future film maker to exploit. The Battle of Stirling Bridge was far more interesting than was the Battle of Stirling as portrayed in the film, but since the movie was filmed in Ireland and Stirling Bridge was located in Scotland, some improvisation was neccessarily required.

Like most heros', Wallace began with one agenda and this grew into another. His original motive, revenge for his father's death, led him to become the leading warrier in the land, and he never lost a battle until he forgot what his especial military skills consisted of. (Taking on superior numbers by enlisting the land, winning the battle, and moving on quickly without a thought to occupation.) His single failure took place at Falkirk, when he chose to engage King Edward of England in a pitched battle against far superior, better equiped, and better trained soldiers. Edward "Longshanks" came off as a ruthless, invincinable fighting machine. No matter what you threw at him, his 100,000+ man army kept lumbering toward you slowly, surely, feeling its way, avoiding every trap and trick. For the first time in his fighting career, nothing was working for Wallace, and Tranter leaves you with one of those hollow feelings in your stomach, as you start to see the inevitable.

All of the moving parts of Scotland's history were incorporated; the politics, the church, the tension between and among King Edward of England, France, the Lowlanders, the Highlander Clan Chiefs, the Lords, The Bruces, the Comyns, and the common everyday people.I have only made one trip to Scotland and in hindsight, was amazed at how much of Will Wallace country I had traversed. This story ranges from Carlisle to Ayr, from Carrick Castle to Lothian, from the Ettrick Forest to Loch Lomand, and of course from Stirling Castle to Perth and beyond.

At the end of the day, I felt that I finally understood the man, William Wallace, but more importantly, that my understanding of 13th Century Scottish history had grown immeasurably.

The best biography of Scotland's greatest hero thats cramed with all the details, characters and facts to satisfy any historian and yet it reads like a page-turning best selling thriller! Nigel Trantor is (was) Scotland's national treasure. I also recommend reading his work, "The Bruce".