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 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: 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: If you read only one Nigel Tranter book, this is the one!
Review: I first was introduced to Nigel Tranter when I bought this book in a castle gift shop on a visit to Scotland. On my next visit, I bought every Tranter book I could find as this book was so fabulous! In fact, after reading many, I think it's his best work, and I continually read it again and again. No other book can bring Scotland to life as this does. It allows you to get into the heads of Robert the Bruce and William Wallace like no other book does. You HAVE to read this book! A 10 is not praise enough.
Rating:
Summary: ROBERT The BRUCE- Tranter's Braveheart
Review: I had much pleasure reading "The Bruce Trilogy" and "The Wallace" both by Nigel Tranter, and both at the same time, as events were concurrent. I have read nearly all of this author's books and these are two of my favorites. Not the most favorite but perhaps 3rd and 4th.
The film director of "Braveheart" should have done a little more research as he would have discovered that Robert the Bruce would have, according to the legend, been the true Braveheart. When you read the book, witness what it was that Jamie Douglas cried out as he made his fatal charge against all odds, and find out why........here is the Brave Heart.
Rating:
Summary: ROBERT The BRUCE- Tranter's Braveheart
Review: I had much pleasure reading "The Bruce Trilogy" and "The Wallace" both by Nigel Tranter, and both at the same time, as events were concurrent. I have read nearly all of this author's books and these are two of my favorites. Not the most favorite but perhaps 3rd and 4th.
The film director of "Braveheart" should have done a little more research as he would have discovered that Robert the Bruce would have, according to the legend, been the true Braveheart. When you read the book, witness what it was that Jamie Douglas cried out as he made his fatal charge against all odds, and find out why........here is the Brave Heart.
Rating:
Summary: An excellent factional account of Scottish history
Review: I have now read this book 3 times and enjoyed more each time. The book starts with the Scottish throne sitting empty and Edward of England ruling Scotland. The young Earl of Carrick, Robert Bruce and his younger brothers are enjoying the attentions of Edward and living a care free life. Two events change all this, the Battle of Stirling Bridge, which unites the common Scots people behind a commoner called William Wallace, and the slaying of the Red Comyn at Berwick, on holy church ground. Robert immediately declares himself King of Scots. What follows is a marvellous account and insight into a remarkable period of Scottish history. The way Tranter protrays Bruce's internal turmoil, of being excomincated from Mother church, worrying over his diseased body and the consist struggle to free Scotland ; the obsession that Edward Plantagent has with crushing Scotland and the hounding of Bruce, keeps the reader's fullest attention. This book is a must. Superb, excellent, buy it.
Rating:
Summary: a Jewel
Review: I have owned this book for years. I've read it six times. End up with tears in my eyes every time when the King and the Primate look back over their lives together, fighting for the freedom of their beloved country.
A HUGE story that will totally engulf you in the lives of the characters. If my house were burning down, I would return to rescue this one!!
Rating:
Summary: A must for any history buff!
Review: Nigel Tranter is one of those exceptional authors that can bring a half remembered (or half forgotten?) legend to life. The depth of his research is apparent as is the feel of and for his country and social conditions prevailing at the time of the story. His coverage of the obvious gaps in history, (caused by Edward's desire to destroy the culture as well as later events that destroyed the records) pass unnoticed. He truly is a master of the genre. Tranter's story of the Bruce is told with depth, passion and a style that can transport the reader so that they live the story as it unfolds. The characters are superb as are the depictions of the events (political, military and otherwise) leading to the re-establishment of the King of Scots. In all highly commendable.
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