The Road to Culloden Moor: Bonnie Prince Charlie and the '45 Rebellion (History and Politics) [Paperback]

"The Road to Culloden Moor" is a fantastic book, telling the history of Charles Edward Stuart and his quest to regain the British throne in 1745. This is no "hero with feet of clay" revisionist history, but instead equally recalls the strengths and weaknesses of the young pretender. Beginning with the raising of his father's standard at Glenfinnan, the Jabobite rebellion would capture of Edinburgh and march to within 130 miles of London and end in a devastating defeat at Culloden Moor on 16th April 1746.

This book brings the rebellion alive without resorting to purple prose or dramatic emphasis. The facts are facts. The characters are accurate portrayals, based on journals and eyewitness accounts. One of the most interesting pieces of this story is the role the English media played in the rebellion, manipulating stories to achieve emotional effect. "Sweet" Prince William (also known as "William the Butcher") was sold to the English people as a charming and brave defender of the crown. Charles Stewart, the Young Pretender, was marketed as a rapist and eater of babies.

A very interesting book to those interested in Scottish history.

Preston leads her readers along Charles' life laying a solid foundation for his actions in 1745. The reader is taken with the Prince to France where he expects to get aid from the French for his cause. As usual however, the French only use the Scots for their own purpose of distracting England and Charles finds only lip service there. Finally he sails for Scotland on his own, still expecting a French army to come to his aid. Indeed, he expects this right up until Culloden.

The author does a fine job of relating the emotion of the times as he raises many of the Highland clans to his cause. She also clearly details the problems Charles faces in trying to command his clan army. For example, being posted on the right flank is an honor to the clans and at Culloden, when the MacDonalds end up on the left, they stand under heavy fire sulking, and refuse to attack. Still, Charles manages to almost enter London and if his clan chiefs hadn't decided that without the French an attack on London was doomed, the Stuarts might well have been restored.

Until the battle at Culloden, the reader will feel great sympathy for the young Prince, but his actions immediately following the battle are rather shameful. Dejected, he refuses the call to rejoin the part of his army that remains and leaves the poor Highlanders to the not so tender mercies of the Butcher Cumberland. His flight from the British and their Highland allies is told in a spirited way that once again brings forth sympathy for Charles. It is during this period that Flora MacDonald rises to prominence.

Finally, Preston deals with Charles remaining years, which are not nearly so appealing as his years as the Young Pretender. She also details the remaining years of many of his closest followers, several of whom are executed. This is a well written and intriguing account of the '45 and will be enjoyed by almost anyone with Scottish roots. My only quibble is a lack of notes to back up the author's statements, but that seems to fade as a concern as one is drawn into this truly remarkable story.

"The Road to Culloden Moor" is a fantastic book, telling the history of Charles Edward Stuart and his quest to regain the British throne in 1745. This is no "hero with feet of clay" revisionist history, but instead equally recalls the strengths and weaknesses of the young pretender. Beginning with the raising of his father's standard at Glenfinnan, the Jabobite rebellion would capture of Edinburgh and march to within 130 miles of London and end in a devastating defeat at Culloden Moor on 16th April 1746.

This book brings the rebellion alive without resorting to purple prose or dramatic emphasis. The facts are facts. The characters are accurate portrayals, based on journals and eyewitness accounts. One of the most interesting pieces of this story is the role the English media played in the rebellion, manipulating stories to achieve emotional effect. "Sweet" Prince William (also known as "William the Butcher") was sold to the English people as a charming and brave defender of the crown. Charles Stewart, the Young Pretender, was marketed as a rapist and eater of babies.

A very interesting book to those interested in Scottish history.