Rating: 
Summary: You will never be the same again!
Review: After seeing Braveheart in the theatres 4 years ago, and seeing it over and over again on video, the flame that this movie has sparked in me still has not abated. That is one of the reasons why I went searching for a book to read about Sir William Wallace. Am I glad that I did a little research ahead of time and chose to read about Robert the Bruce instead! The man was so admirable, I can't even begin to express my esteem for him!Based on the reviews that I read on this page, I decided to buy Nigel Tranter's account of The Bruce's life versus all the other readily available biographies. I couldn't have made a better decision! My life was put on hold while reading this book! I just could not put it down! I would read a little of it in the morning, go to work, and come home and read it some more in the evening until the wee hours of the morning! That's how consuming this book was! This book was so good, and the man revealed was so nobel, that I almost wished they had portrayed him more accurately in the movie. Just almost...since Braveheart is my most favorite movie of all time. If they had made it any differently, I might not have been so inspired, might never have gone searching, might never have read this book.... Well, whether it is sad to say or not, my life is back to normal now, since I have just finished this book this past weekend. But my spirit will never be the same again. Thank you King Robert, for the inspiring life that you lived. Thank you Mr. Tranter, for putting it into words.
Rating:
Summary: Some of the best historical fiction ever written
Review: Although the film Braveheart is tremendously entertaining, it suffers as history. Part of the problem is that it is based on Randall Wallace's book rather than Nigel Tranter's. Nigel Tranter was the pre-eminent historical novelist of Scotland, and although William Wallace's tale is epic, it pales in comparison to the life of Robert the Bruce. Bruce's life is so full of adventure, tragedy, heroism, intrigue, and statesmanship, that any author of fiction would be hard pressed to just imagine the story line ... but this is based on factual events. A must read.
Rating:
Summary: Some of the best historical fiction ever written
Review: Although the film Braveheart is tremendously entertaining, it suffers as history. Part of the problem is that it is based on Randall Wallace's book rather than Nigel Tranter's. Nigel Tranter was the pre-eminent historical novelist of Scotland, and although William Wallace's tale is epic, it pales in comparison to the life of Robert the Bruce. Bruce's life is so full of adventure, tragedy, heroism, intrigue, and statesmanship, that any author of fiction would be hard pressed to just imagine the story line ... but this is based on factual events. A must read.
Rating:
Summary: A guid idea of the Wars of Independence in Scotland.
Review: Another excellent novel from Nigel Tranter which vividly brings the period of Scottish history "The Wars of Independence" too life. Mr. Tranter masterfully weaves his story & set it out on a template of people & places that you almost feel you can relate too. His characterisation of "The Bruce" is excellent as well, shown almost as a man torn between ambition & a duty to his people. I wish I could give this book more marks than 10, that's how much an impression it made on me. Excellent!!!! :o)))
Rating:
Summary: A phoenix rising from the ashes
Review: Great historical fiction is my specialty and discovering Nigel Tranter has been a real treat. This the first thing I have read by this author and for me it was also a fine introduction to a crucial period of Scottish history. This 3 part series covers the life of Robert Bruce, a truly dashing and gallant hero if there ever was one, and it is a true rags to riches story. The whole series is well written and though lengthy is a pleasure to read with a medieval feel to it. There are many battle scenes throughout the book, and detailed strategies described, the Scots being so outnumbered by the English had to be very clever to win. Book 1 - Opens with Bruce in his 20's, a spoiled young nobleman, forced like all the other Scottish nobles to pay homage to Edward of England and be his lackey. Later his meeting with Elizabeth de Burgh, and finally the birth of his ambition.
Book 2 - Hitting rock bottom with the capture and executions of his brothers, the imprisonment of his wife, and his other female relatives kept in cages, he is finally driven into the wilderness to live as a hermit. Eventually, he rises again and is able to unite the many clans and tribes from the northern Highlands with the Norman/Celt mixed nobles from the south to fight together for the common cause of Scotland. Part 2 finishes with the Battle of Bannockburn.
Book 3 - Finally the undisputed King in Scotland though there is still the ongoing struggle to have England recognize Bruce as King of Scotland. A novel I will enjoy reading again, especially loved the parts about Christina MacRuarie, ruling woman of the isles, also the Highland chiefs and sea captains. So much historical detail with never a dull moment.
Rating:
Summary: A phoenix rising from the ashes
Review: Great historical fiction is my specialty and discovering Nigel Tranter has been a real treat. This the first thing I have read by this author and for me it was also a fine introduction to a crucial period of Scottish history. This 3 part series covers the life of Robert Bruce, a truly dashing and gallant hero if there ever was one, and it is a true rags to riches story. The whole series is well written and though lengthy is a pleasure to read with a medieval feel to it. There are many battle scenes throughout the book, and detailed strategies described, the Scots being so outnumbered by the English had to be very clever to win. Book 1 - Opens with Bruce in his 20's, a spoiled young nobleman, forced like all the other Scottish nobles to pay homage to Edward of England and be his lackey. Later his meeting with Elizabeth de Burgh, and finally the birth of his ambition.
Book 2 - Hitting rock bottom with the capture and executions of his brothers, the imprisonment of his wife, and his other female relatives kept in cages, he is finally driven into the wilderness to live as a hermit. Eventually, he rises again and is able to unite the many clans and tribes from the northern Highlands with the Norman/Celt mixed nobles from the south to fight together for the common cause of Scotland. Part 2 finishes with the Battle of Bannockburn.
Book 3 - Finally the undisputed King in Scotland though there is still the ongoing struggle to have England recognize Bruce as King of Scotland. A novel I will enjoy reading again, especially loved the parts about Christina MacRuarie, ruling woman of the isles, also the Highland chiefs and sea captains. So much historical detail with never a dull moment.
Rating:
Summary: An accolade.
Review: I am nearly 52 years of age and not much given to callow enthusiasm but after reading the story of King Robert I can say that the Scots are very fortunate to have Mr. Tranter. If only our own country were so blessed. On a scale of 1 to 10 I say 1000.
Rating:
Summary: Tranter's Best Novel
Review: I can't add any more to the other reviews except to say it's the best novel I've ever read. After reading it I acquired dozens of Tranter's other works, including many from the Bannockburn gift shop, and have been absorbed in nearly all, but none are as good as The Bruce Trilogy.
Rating:
Summary: Tranter's Best Novel
Review: I can't add any more to the other reviews except to say it's the best novel I've ever read. After reading it I acquired dozens of Tranter's other works, including many from the Bannockburn gift shop, and have been absorbed in nearly all, but none are as good as The Bruce Trilogy.
Rating:
Summary: Mel Gibson should have read this before making Braveheart!
Review: I first read this book about four years ago. I am a sasanach Englishman and it made me ashamed to be English. The book instilled in me a passion for Scotland which has not diminished even to the point of calling my two sons: Robert Bruce and Jamie Douglas, though I have to say my Jamie is much sweeter than the Black Douglas portrayed. Nige Tranters book is a passionate account of the fight for Scotland's freedom from the English invaders but also a contest between the warring faction Scots tribes. It has all the hallmarks of a Shakespeare tragedy including Politics, Love, Backstabbing, Murder, Duplicity etc. It is for all of this that I am purchassing this book again. My last one has been worn out.
| 
