'I have brought you to the ring, now hop if you can.' Wallace's famous injunction before the battle of Falkirk is still remembered today. The first section of this major new biography deals with the history of Wallace and his time. According to legend, born and brought up in Elderslie, Wallace's courage and heroism during Scotland's darkest days were instrumental in creating a sense of national identity. From the early killing of the Sheriff of Lanark, Sir William Haslerigg, through his crowning triumph at Stirling Bridge to his terrible end, Wallace was unswerving in his devotion to the cause of Scottish freedom. The brutality of his end is a testament to the fear and humiliation his name inspired in Edward I. The second section of the book studies the impact of the man and the myth on later generations. The guerrilla tactics initiated by Wallace were later used by Robert the Bruce to great success. Blind Harry's epic poem (1478) personifies the will and desire of Scottish people for independence in the figure of Wallace. Over 200 years after his death Scotland's greatest knight continues to inspire nationalists in this country and throughout the world. Peter Reese's objective and lucid text concludes with the judgement that Wallace's martyrdom was a greater legacy to the Scots than even the achievements of his lifetime. While he was alive, the power of his personality galvanised a nation. Since his death, the memory of William Wallace has endured as an inspiration for unity.
Wallace
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* And when you, Scotland, had been headless and unable to defend yourself, Wallace had appeared as a mighty arm for you and a salvation in time of trouble. -- Walter Bower Scotichronicon
About the Author
Now retired after a 29-year career in the army, Peter Reese is a leading military historian and writer. His abiding love for Scotland and all things Scottish ensure frequent visits north from his home in Surrey.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
6 of 8 people found the following review helpful
By P. D. Ramsay
Format:Paperback
I found this book to be an informative and interesting account of the politics that existed in Scotland during Wallace's adult years. The account of the battles at Stirling Bridge and Falkirk were brief though concise enough to afford the non-historian an understanding of the tactics and failings of the commanders. The background information on Scotland at the end of the thirteenth century does much to support claims of an ambitious King Edward being checked in his dominance by a tenacious response by patriotic Scots.
What I found slightly disconcerting was the author's constant referal to a unauthorative verse written 200 years after the event, by a character named "Blind Harry", to explain and sometimes authenticate assumptions about Wallaces character and his motives.
Nonetheless, Peter Reese makes much effort, despite the obvious lack of eyewitness accounts of Wallace's life, to provide an objective and informative story of an obviously outstanding patriot and opportunistic military commander, who has contributed to the way Scots view their nationality since his emergence at the end of the thirteenth century.
A thoroughly enjoyable read for anyone looking for an uncomplicated Biography of this great man.
What I found slightly disconcerting was the author's constant referal to a unauthorative verse written 200 years after the event, by a character named "Blind Harry", to explain and sometimes authenticate assumptions about Wallaces character and his motives.
Nonetheless, Peter Reese makes much effort, despite the obvious lack of eyewitness accounts of Wallace's life, to provide an objective and informative story of an obviously outstanding patriot and opportunistic military commander, who has contributed to the way Scots view their nationality since his emergence at the end of the thirteenth century.
A thoroughly enjoyable read for anyone looking for an uncomplicated Biography of this great man.
0 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
A good book and well written. I bought this one after reading Peter Reese's "Bannockburn" which I think is the better book.
I do believe Wallace is the more difficult subject as his career was relatively short compared to that of Bruce.
I do wonder if some of Peter Reese's assertions may verge on the uncritical. To give one (perhaps minor) example is his assertion that Wallace must have been particularly big and strong judging by the size of his sword. Anyone who has seen "Wallace's sword" in the monument at Abbey Craig can be excused for thinking that, and I have no doubt other sources testify to Wallace's size and strength. What I have often wondered myself is that really his sword? Would a guerrilla leader who relied on speed of movement and surprise really have encumbered himself with a piece of kit that size? I understood the sword was a double-hander used by picked men to defend the King and his standard on a battlefield. In other words for a fixed, rather than mobile type of combat.
I'm not an historian and have no qualifications to judge the age and provenance of that particular sword, so I may be completely wrong.
I do think the book is well worth buying and is an enjoyable read. It presents both a balanced and sympathetic picture of Scotland's national hero - no easy task, considering the nature of the sources.
I do believe Wallace is the more difficult subject as his career was relatively short compared to that of Bruce.
I do wonder if some of Peter Reese's assertions may verge on the uncritical. To give one (perhaps minor) example is his assertion that Wallace must have been particularly big and strong judging by the size of his sword. Anyone who has seen "Wallace's sword" in the monument at Abbey Craig can be excused for thinking that, and I have no doubt other sources testify to Wallace's size and strength. What I have often wondered myself is that really his sword? Would a guerrilla leader who relied on speed of movement and surprise really have encumbered himself with a piece of kit that size? I understood the sword was a double-hander used by picked men to defend the King and his standard on a battlefield. In other words for a fixed, rather than mobile type of combat.
I'm not an historian and have no qualifications to judge the age and provenance of that particular sword, so I may be completely wrong.
I do think the book is well worth buying and is an enjoyable read. It presents both a balanced and sympathetic picture of Scotland's national hero - no easy task, considering the nature of the sources.
Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta)
Amazon.com:
3.7 out of 5 stars
7 reviews
93 of 98 people found the following review helpful
4.0 out of 5 stars
One of the best Wallace biographies
30 May 1999
By A Customer
- Published on Amazon.com
Format:Paperback
Peter Reese's book is highly recommended because:
a) It is divided into logical sections.
b) It covers both the life of Wallace and the aftermath right up to the date of publication (1996).
c) It is very strong on the military aspects of Wallace's life and campaigns.
d) It sets Wallace's life into the context of Scotland at that time.
e) It is very well written, avoids going into unnecessary detail, and makes the important points.
The epilogue is slightly out of date now as a lot has happened in Scotland since 1996 i.e. the devolution referendum in 1997 and the establishment of the new Scottish Parliament in 1999.
In summary, one of the best Wallace biographies - we recommend it very strongly. [MacBraveHeart May, 1999]
17 of 18 people found the following review helpful
3.0 out of 5 stars
An antidote for "Braveheart" that still honors the hero
26 May 2001
By Sho J. Morimoto
- Published on Amazon.com
Format:Paperback
Peter Reese was a soldier and rightfully concentrates on the military career of William Wallace. As a responsible scholar he also acknowledges the dearth of contemporary records of what actually happened during the Scottish wars of independence. Although some may find it annoying or confusing, the author is understandably forced to cite his sources so that he may present the material in the most objective form as possible. In a sense, the book is more scholarly than biographic, building upon the writings of previous Wallace biographers who also must have been challenged by the lack of records from the period. Despite this, he deduces from common sense and the trends of the era to portray what Wallace's life may have been like. His honesty is proof that history should be learned from sources other than Hollywood.
There are a few weaknesses, however. The maps were helpful but somewhat incomplete. Major towns and fiefdoms mentioned throughout the book cannot be found in the maps of Scotland. The diagrams of Stirling and Falkirk are great but lack some important details (they might've sacrificed detail for greater area). Nonetheless these are minor points compared to the one factor I found very problematic. The author makes sweeping assumptions several times throughout his work, mostly concerning the character and essence of a certain people or race. Though cultures have strong mores or habits, that does not apply to entire peoples who may undergo several cultural transformations. In his assumptions the author stands dangerously close to stereotyping, however harmless his conclusions.
Overall the book is a well-researched and honest account of Scotland's famed freedom fighter. The bibliography at the end is interesting in and of itself. It certainly moves one to explore further the mystery of William Wallace, a true nationalist.
20 of 23 people found the following review helpful
3.0 out of 5 stars
Factual, Logical, but Dry
4 July 2000
By "kozfear"
- Published on Amazon.com
Format:Paperback
For a cut and paste biography, this book does an excellent job of conveying facts (or offering up what may be facts) and making it plain that certain things are under speculation. It offers different opinions from different sources, but lacks personal touch. It wasn't emotionally engaging in the least, unless you care more about dates than the man himself.
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3.7 out of 5 stars
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