The Road to Culloden Moor

by Diana Preston
Category: "World History - Military"
Pages:242
Year of Publication:1995
Date Added:09/17/2008
Date Read:07/29/2015
Notes:Subtitle: Bonnie Prince Charlie and the '45 Rebellion

A history of the attempt by Jacobite Charles Stuart to regain the throne of England for his father James from the Hanoverian dynasty. The prince landed in Scotland with only seven men. Many clans of Highlanders rallied to his cause and formed an army. They headed for London, winning the battle of Preston Pans on the way, and made it all the way to Derby, about 150 miles from the capital. With the English army on the march, the Jacobites retreated into Scotland. Still a strong force, they won the battle of Falkirk before heading to Inverness. Through desertions and lack of money and reinforcements, the rebellion fell apart, and when the Duke of Cumberland's army attacked, the rebellion collapsed. Many Highlanders were killed or deported. Charles fled and hid out in Scotland for five months, at one point poorly disguised as the maid of Flora Macdonald, before being rescued by a French ship. He spent the rest of his life in frustrated dissipation.
My Rating: 8

Reviews for The Road to Culloden Moor

Review - Road to Culloden Moor, The

Well-written. Preston gives a solid overview of the events without going into too much detail, and kept my interest throughout. Charles is seen as a heroic and tragic figure most of the time, but a whiny brat at others. The treatment of the Highlanders after the rebellion is indefensible. My view is that it was a fascinating time in history but I can't find a solid reason to root for either side.

Reviewed by Roger on 2015-07-30 07:04:51

Back to the list