William Wallace: Brave Heart [Paperback]

James MacKay (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 1, 1996

Sir William Wallace of Ellerslie is one of history's greatest heroes, but also one of its greatest enigmas—a shadowy figure whose edges have been blurred by myth and legend. James MacKay uses all his skills as a historical detective to produce this definitive biography, telling the incredible story of a man who, without wealth or noble birth, rose to become Guardian of Scotland. William Wallace, with superb generalship and tactical genius, led a country with no previous warlike tradition to triumph gloriously over the much larger, better-armed, and better-trained English forces. 700 years later, the heroism and betrayal, the valiant deeds and the dark atrocities, and the struggle of a small nation against a brutal and powerful empire, still create a compelling tale.

Product Details

• Paperback: 288 pages
• Publisher: Mainstream Publishing (March 1, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 185158823X
• ISBN-13: 978-1851588237
• Product Dimensions: 1.2 x 6 x 9.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (34 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #732,569 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #7 in Books > Biographies & Memoirs > Historical > British > Wallace, William

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

24 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars brave travesty, September 11, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: William Wallace: Brave Heart (Paperback)

As a Wallace aficionado, i looked forward to reading this, but to say i was disappointed was an understatement.
This badly researched book was full of inaccuracies.
The author puts forward an alternative Wallace birthplace, putting forward detail that the unsuspecting reader would probably take on board. For instance, he says "Corsbie is of course, now known as Crosshouse", whereas these two places are seperate entities.
He places one monument, that of Leglen Wood, 20 miles away from its correct location, and claims Wallace was born in Ayrshire, whereas the Wallace family were vassals of the Stewart family, who never owned land in this area, and so Wallace could not have been born there.
Dates are wrong, one monument he claims was built in 1970, was actually built in 1910.
I feel the author, no stranger to controversy, has jumped on the Wallace bandwagon, and has rushed this work out to take advantage of the boom caused by Braveheart. Many people see details in print, and assume they are true. This book has so many inaccuracies that it will actually lead its readers astray.

21 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Scotland Go Bragh!, June 24, 2002

By 

Dennis Phillips "The Book Friar" (Bulls Gap, Tennessee USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: William Wallace: Brave Heart (Paperback)

Since the Mel Gibson movie came out William Wallace has gained a following well outside of Scotland. It is nice to get a look at the true "Braveheart" instead of the Hollywood version. The very best thing about this book is how easy it is to read. Not being at all familar with Scottish history during this period I was afraid I would quickly become lost. Much to my delight that was not the case in fact I was able to follow what was going on with very little problem. The only real problem I have with the book is that MacKay often refers to someone once by their name and the next time by their title. For example the future king is sometimes refered to as Robert Bruce and sometimes as the Earl of Carrick. It is hard enough to keep up with all of the names thrown at you in this book without having to keep up with a name AND a title for each person.

While reading this book keep in mind that Mr. MacKay has little materal to work with from the time period. Most of his research is taken from materal that dates well after Wallace's death. Still by looking at this material along with what records do exist from the period he does a good job of telling us what probably did happen. In fact, this is probably as close as we will ever get to the real story. That is unless new records are found which is very possible. MacKay points out several places where in the future new records may be found including Rome where Wallace may have visited Pope Boniface VIII looking for aid for Scotland. It is known as a fact that King Edward did get a letter from the Pope about his treatment of the Scots.

This is a great read for anyone interested in Scottish history or anyone who enjoyed the Gibson movie. The reader will find for example that Wallace's wife was not killed before he began his raids. She was killed in fact while protecting Wallace. Let the movie make you wonder. Let this book fill in the gaps. Even for someone not into history at all this will be a joy to read.

27 of 30 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars An engrossing history of Scotland's national hero!, July 7, 1998

By 

[e-mail] - See all my reviews

This review is from: William Wallace: Brave Heart (Paperback)

James A Mackay's biography of William Wallace is a must read for anyone interested in heroic exploits. While the William Wallace portrayed by Mackay is different from the version portrayed by Mel Gibson, the discriminating reader will be rewarded. Mackay does a masterful job in researching a figure whose reputation has been clouded throughout history. Due to the linguistics of the Scottish dialect the book initially lags, but the reader will not be disappointed. The author must be commended for bringing to life a figure who was truly "larger than life."