The Steps to the Empty Throne (Coronet Books)

In the first book, Robert is just an Earl. He has to put up with the English king Edward, as do all the other lords. He also meets a woman who changes his life, and witnesses what happens to The Wallace.

This is the first book in a trilogy. It portrays an impetuous strong-willed young man who agrees to co-govern Scotland with his personal enemy in an attempt to win its independence from England. The effort soon fails and Bruce steps down, but then he makes a separate move to unite the country under his sole leadership. Amongst much internal fighting, he makes great strides. The book covers Bruce's youth from about age 20 until he begins to call himself king. While I enjoyed it, I liked the second and third books in the trilogy better. They are THE PATH OF THE HERO KING and THE PRICE OF THE KING'S PEACE, respectively.

Nigel Tranter is an amazing author. He has brought all Scottish history to life with his series of Scottish historical novels. You can tell his research is incredible and he keeps things historically correct down to the detail. He just adds emotion and dialogue the way he thinks it happened. These are more history than fiction. It is History that breathes. This is the story of Robert the Bruce and how he went through amazing times of hardship and despair to claim the throne of Scotland and free them from English rule. This was my first Tranter book. I will not rest until I have read them all. Anyone of Scottish blood or even just interested in Scottish history should read this book. There is no dry factual text here. It is pure life, emotion and thought. Robert the Bruce lives again through Nigel Tranter.