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Rob Roy Macgregor, Scotland's most romantic, elusive hero, was an outlaw and a life-long enemy of Montrose. So well-known was he that no one thought to write down a physical description of him, or any direct record of his childhood and youth. Thus tracking down Rob Roy today is to embark upon a search through archives, estate records and folk myths, enriched and confused by the romantic yarns that have grown up around him. This book brings together new interpretations of Rob Roy's life and times to produce an understanding of the character, actions and motives of a man who became a myth and symbol of Scotland. The author shows that Rob Roy's renown stems from his remarkable force of character, rather than his politics or his place in the writings of Sir Walter Scott. His political mission outwardly failed, but his extraordinary resolution in adversity has earned him his place in history and legend. W.H. Murray is the author of "The Story of Everest", "Maelstrom" and "The Islands of Western Scotland".
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Fascinating Account of a Fascinating Man,
By Odysseas (Portugal) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Rob Roy Macgregor: His Life And Times (Canongate) (Paperback)
This seems to be a very well-researched biography of a quite remarkable man. For all the fictional tales that have been woven around the life of Robert Ruadh MacGregor, the real story as told by W.H. Murray needs no embellishment.
Given the paucity of information about Rob Roy's life until he came to prominence within Clan Gregor, and then came to the attention of the powers that be and the general public, the author begins by giving a very interesting account of what kind of life he might have expected to live in his early years until reaching manhood. In so doing, we are offered an absorbing insight into clan life in the late 17th century, and the trials of the MacGregors as a proscribed clan persecuted by Lowlander and Highlander alike. A wealth of evidence is provided to confirm or refute occurrences and legends from Rob Roy's life, and what we discover is that he must surely have been one of Scotland's and Britain's most remarkable, resourceful and resilient individuals. However, that is not to say that I fully agree on every occasion with the conclusions which Mr Murray draws from the evidence. He is clearly a dyed-in-the-wool admirer of his subject. The result is that he sometimes gives Rob Roy the benefit of the doubt where my own reading of the evidence would not lead me to the same conclusion. Consequently, it hovers close to hagiography in always siding with Rob Roy, and some readers might wish for a rather more critical appraisal of his life and acts. Having said that, the evidence is there for the reader to draw his/her own conclusions, and W.H. Murray's achievement in being able to gather so much fascinating information is monumental. A more recent biography by David Stevenson, The Hunt for Rob Roy, published by Birlinn, is apparently rather less charitable to the man, and may be worth reading in order to gain another point of view. Nevertheless, from start to finish Mr Murray's book is a joy to read, is packed with information, excitement and the author's passion for his subject, and is probably as comprehensive an account of Rob Roy's life as it is possible to write. The cover states that it was the "inspiration" for the film Rob Roy starring Liam Neeson; but as enjoyable as the film is, it bears little relation to the events portrayed in this book. While I am in no sense being critical of the film - in fact it is one of my favourite films of recent years - it cannot hold a candle to this book. Post Script 2010: Since writing this review I have read The Hunt for Rob Roy by David Stevenson, mentioned above. In the light of Stevenson's book, I would have not written the above review, and would not have given it five stars. However, I thought it best to leave the review as is, bearing in mind that it is an honest first impression. For a comparison of both books, and for one or two further points concerning W.H. Murray's Rob Roy, please see my review of David Stevenson's book.
7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Rob Roy MacGregor,
By
This review is from: Rob Roy Macgregor: His Life And Times (Canongate) (Paperback)
As a descendant of Rob Roy I think this book finally lays to rest nearly two centuries of misinformation and mythology. I'm delighted to have found a properly researched biography which sets his life in its historical context and backs it up with source material. I highly recommend this book.Mr Murray is to be congratulated for his endeavours.
5.0 out of 5 stars
A very superior biography,
This review is from: Rob Roy MacGregor (Hardcover)
W. H. Murray's biography of Rob Roy the man and his times makes fascinating and compulsive reading for anyone interested in that period of Scottish history. His research is meticulous and he brings this complex character to life in a way that I doubt will ever be bettered. A definite "must have' for any Scottish history buff or simply anyone who enjoys a good read.
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