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7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A fine book on a largely ignored subject, 9 Jun 2002
This is an exceptional book. It is a tougher read than others by the same author, but anyone who has been impressed by his other books on Scotland should read it for a greater understanding of the demise of the clans. There is plenty of entertainment too, but probably at too slow a pace for the casual reader.The book records, in detail, probably every single mutiny by a Scottish regiment in the 18th and early 19th centuries.
This is more a collection of short stories than a single narrative. At times, the book can feel slow and repetitive, especially as the scene is set for each mutiny, but John Prebble's objective is to ensure each one is fully and accurately recorded. The typical mutiny starts with a background of the relevant clan leaders and their motives in starting a regiment, a description of the terms under which recruits were enlisted and the reasons why these terms were broken. The tension then rises as the soldiers rebel, and those in charge react, some better than others. There are many incredible events, as the mutinies inevitably fail, and we move on to the court martials, some miserable executions and one or two uplifting escapes. The occasional derogatory comment about the regimental commanders betrays Prebble's sympathies. The worst a mutineer is accused of is naivety. Some historians may criticise the book for this. On the whole though, Prebble lets the events speak for themselves. There is no introduction, little discussion of common themes throughout the mutinies, and no conclusions. This is a people's history though, told from the perspective of the victims. They have never had a voice before, now they have.
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by John Prebble
by John Prebble
by John Prebble
by John Prebble
by John Prebble
