Robert the Bruce, King of Scots: King of Scots

Ronald McNair Scott in this work has given us a fast paced easy to read account of one of the greatest military leaders in history. Robert the Bruce is not always appreciated in America because he lacks the Hollywood image that Mel Gibson has lent to William Wallace. Wallace was no doubt a great hero of Scotland but it was Bruce who not only defeated the English but posed a very real threat to actually annex English territory. Scott does have a tendency to state as fact that which is only theory or an educated guess but given the state of affairs in 13th and 14th century Scotland any other tact would have led to a huge and hard to read tome that would have added little to the general understanding of Bruce. By deciding to write in this style Scott brings this great hero of Scotland to life for the reader and lets us see the greatness that was Robert The Bruce.Bruce's early decisions during the Wallace wars are explained by Scottish politics. Bruce's grandfather had laid claim to the Scottish throne but Edward I decided in favor of John Balliol, Lord of Galloway. Wallace always fought in the name of King John making it very hard for any of the Bruce faction to lend their full support to the cause. Once he established himself as King, Bruce faced the same problem from the Balliol faction. This divided state of affairs could very well have doomed Scotland had not Bruce taken action. He began with an action that seems to have haunted him for the rest of his life when he struck down the "Red" Comyn on the alter of Greyfriars church. Slowly the rest of the Balliol faction was subdued until Bruce was the unchallenged King of Scots. Scott manages to go into some detail of Bruce's battles with the English without getting the reader lost. In fact, I was able to clearly understand what happened and as I was reading these accounts I could almost see what was going on. Scott's ability to describe events with words is his greatest asset. One feels as if he is actually there side by side with The Bruce. This book is not the deep study of Robert The Bruce that some people may be looking for. It is however a good place for any reader to begin to understand the history of Scotland. After reading this book anyone who wishes to dig deeper will be ready for the challange. For someone who is simply after a quick and easy to understand history of Robert The Bruce I doubt you will find a better source.

This superb volume reads like a novel, is definitely a spell-binding page turner, and 'telleth of much fyte.' Well-researched, written with wit, vigor, and a definite interest in the subject matter, it covers the period like no other account of medieval warfare this reviewer has ever read. Easy to read and understand, the author has proved himself a definite master of his subject, and this is one of the best books the reviewer has ever read.From the in house fight with the Comyns, through the early fighting against the English by Wallace, the hit and run raids to the brief, deadly assaults with his solid henchman, Bruce rampages through this book like a juggernaut, coming alive after seven hundred years, his faithful lieutenants, among them his brother Edward and 'The Black' Douglas, range the English/Scottish border taking revenge for years of privations and cruel vengeance of the English King, Edward I, 'Longshanks.' Working his way through legend and myth to find the 'real' Bruce, the author weaves his tale of high adventure, blook-curdling killings and heartbreaking marches. His brother's adventures in Ireland are not neglected, nor is the climactic battle of Bannockburn, that is highlighted by such a killing of English nobility that the Scots won their freedom and the Bruce was recognozed as their king.Very seldom does a book of this quality show up. If you haven't read it, you're missing a great treat. If you have, you'll want to read it again, as I have.

The recent Mel Gibson film, "Braveheart" inspired many, including myself, with a newfound appreciation for Medieval history in general and Scottish history in particular. While the story of Wallace is certainly captivating, the movie did not do justice to the real hero of the period, Robert the Bruce. The Bruce's legacy, so vividly illustrated in the book, of tremendous courage, resilience, leadership, and compassion is inspiring to any reader. Particularly moving was the Bruce's repeated displays of grace to his defeated enemies and political opponents. How rare in history to see such compassion from a victor in battle! I couldn't help but think that the story of Robert the Bruce, with his ultimate triumph of Scottich independence and peace for Scotland (relatively speaking) would have made for a great Hollywood movie - at least a sequel to "Braveheart." This has all the components of a great epic; heros, villains, love and romance, overcoming great odds to win ultimate victory, betrayal, international diplomacy, graphic battlefield scenes and individual combat vividly displayed that puts the reader alongside The Bruce at his "moments of truth". Scott's use of quotes from the actual people involved makes for a time travel experience worth taking. Putting the story in historical persectives from his contemporaries (and the Bruce himself) makes the reader appreciate the social, political, and religious issues confronting Bruce throughout his life. Many times I found myself anxious for the outcome of Bruce's campaigns, or the latest feat of bravery from the "Black Douglas" and Bruce's loyal companions. In short, a great book, not just from a historical perspective but from an engaging, vivid journey through the life of Robert the Bruce. I must caution the male reader, however, to use more discretion that I did in quoting some of the more graphic scenes to my wife - who wasn't able to appreciate the detail in the same way I did.