Rating: Summary: I wish... Review: ..I could say I loved the book as much as the movie but unfortunately, that's not the case. I always prefer books over movies so having seen this excellent movie a billion times (more or less), I decided to read the book. Talk about being disappointed! If I hadn't seen the movie first, this book would have been discarded after chapter one but instead, I just kept reading and hoping the story would pick up eventually. Alas, it just dragged on and on. I wonder if Mel Gibson read this book before making the movie? If he had, I think he would agree, his script is way off Mister Wallace's version of the event's which took place in Scotland. A lot of people who reviewed this book seemed to like it but I can only be honest in my opinion by saying I didn't like it and I suggest you stick to the movie version just for the action scenes alone.
Rating: Summary: I wish... Review: ..I could say I loved the book as much as the movie but unfortunately, that's not the case. I always prefer books over movies so having seen this excellent movie a billion times (more or less), I decided to read the book. Talk about being disappointed! If I hadn't seen the movie first, this book would have been discarded after chapter one but instead, I just kept reading and hoping the story would pick up eventually. Alas, it just dragged on and on. I wonder if Mel Gibson read this book before making the movie? If he had, I think he would agree, his script is way off Mister Wallace's version of the event's which took place in Scotland. A lot of people who reviewed this book seemed to like it but I can only be honest in my opinion by saying I didn't like it and I suggest you stick to the movie version just for the action scenes alone.
Rating: Summary: Braveheart Review: A book about Scotsmen and their struggle to win their freedom forever ; a book about love, loyalty and devotion. Randall Wallace's Braveheart conjures up the scenes of a film we've all seen and loved. Only that it is much better. The writer pays his respects to his Scottish forefathers narrating the story of Sir William Wallace, the great Scottish national hero, through the eyes of a poet. His descriprions of this land of epic beauty carry us away to Medieval Scotland where we witness the leader's life as a boy, his secret wedding, the battles, his execution by the English.... 285 pages "haunted" by this 13th-century epic hi-story, written by a truly passionate writer. In the heart of Randall Wallace this is exactly how it happened... A true MUST-READ for every dedicated Scottish fan.
Rating: Summary: "Excellent!" Review: A book and a film that, no matter how many times I read or see it, I love and enjoy as much as I did the first time. A brilliant book, full of love, hatred and bloodshed. William Wallace was a brilliant man! I am a Braveheart addict! FREEEEEEDOM!
Rating: Summary: A Genuine Tear-Jerker Review: After watching the movie, which has since become my favorite, I rushed out to read the book. I was not disappointed. Given, it isn't historically accurate, but with the extra kicks the author puts in both the novel and the movie, it helps enhance the story. Although books are usually better in the movie, I must beg to differ on this one. The book was excellent, but you just can't beat the film's special effects and Mel Gibson in a kilt.
Rating: Summary: A Genuine Tear-Jerker Review: After watching the movie, which has since become my favorite, I rushed out to read the book. I was not disappointed. Given, it isn't historically accurate, but with the extra kicks the author puts in both the novel and the movie, it helps enhance the story. Although books are usually better in the movie, I must beg to differ on this one. The book was excellent, but you just can't beat the film's special effects and Mel Gibson in a kilt.
Rating: Summary: Inaccurate, misleading and so badly written Review: Although I enjoyed the film despite all it inaccuracies, (Ayrshiremen in Kilts, no Stirling Bridge etc etc ) I had hoped the book would have been more accurate, but no. Nothing more than a badly written book version of the script. So now all the plebs out there think Wallace was father of Edward the third... no way. (And I'm an Ayrshireman myself btw) Anyone who wants a reasonable factional account try Tranters the Wallace. It has all the myths and legends, although even it tries too hard to paint bruce as a good guy rather than a landgrabbing Norman who cared little for the people of 'his' country of Scotland. If you want the real truth try one of the many Factual books just out, but don't waste your time or money on this. Hire the video instead.
Rating: Summary: One of the greatest adventures ever told Review: As a rule, I do not read novelizations of screenplays because they are usually written by struggling young authors who are merely copying what they read in the screenplay into prose. I made an exception in this case, however, because the same author penned both the novel and the screenplay. This is his story, from start to finish, and he tells it well, in both film and print. Most everyone has seen the movie, so I'll be brief and just say the book is better: the book contains scenes cut from the movie; the story is more effective in print because it takes longer to build up and develop some of the crucial moments; the biting dialogue is not lost in the montage of on-screen violence; and the characters seem better developed. The only elements that translate better on the big screen are, obviously, the battle scenes.
Rating: Summary: Braveheart by Randall Wallace Review: As a Scotsman I first of all had grave doubts about seeing the movie version of BH. I was glad to find that it was quite an emotional film however. RW's buik however could perhaps be a little misleading to those not familiar with the story of WW, who think that this is how it happened. Personally I thought it was quite a guid buik for a 12 year old say, but if older readers wish to read a work of fiction which sticks more to the facts then they should seek out the buik "The Wallace" by Scots author Nigel Tranter. This buik makes BH luik like a Disney novel. I gave this review 3, not because of it's reliance on history, but more for the fact that it's an excellent adventure yarn for 12 year olds!!
Rating: Summary: Not the best history lesson, but an incredible story Review: As most people, I read this book after the movie came out. I am a medival studies major and am intrigued by the story of William Wallace. This book was great. But there is much you need to know before you pick it up, mainly whether you are looking for a history lesson, or just a good read. The story of Wallace is incredible. One man, against all odds, fighting for what he believes in. Much of this book is fiction. The author has created a hard, semi-satisfying life for Wallace, and has created his own reasons for William Wallace to wage war agains Edward I (Longshanks). But the truth is, that we really dont know why Wallace waged war in the first place. The battles were very well researched and the author was able to tell them acuratly and well, making you feel as if you are on the battlefield on Wallace's side. Many people had a hard time with this novel, and gave it poor reviews, but if they give this book a poor review, then they should give all historical fiction bad reviews. It is impossible for an author to know the complete lives of a historical character, even with extensive research. The author, Randall Wallace, did a wonderful job. I only have a few small complaints that I think could have been touched up on, and can throw many historian hopfulls off. The first being that it is said Longhanks dies soon after Wallaces death, but in truth, longshanks reigned for almost 3 years after Wallaces death. Another would be the affair between William Wallace and Princess Isebella. The author moved the marriage of Prince Edward and Isebella of France up a few years. They were not even married until years after Wallaces death, which makes the affair fiction. As I stated at the beginning of this review, this is a wonderful book. A great story of courage, love, and a passion for your country that will never die, But if you are looking for a book about William Wallace that is based mainly on historical facts, you will not find it here. This book is for any fan of the middle ages. I suggest putting aside all the bad reviews for sad reasons, and pick up a copy of this wherever you can find it.
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