Culloden

Scotland's Last Battle and the Forging of the British Empire

By: Trevor Royle

Narrated by: Tim Bruce

Length: 11 hrs and 23 mins

Publisher's summary

The Battle of Culloden in 1746 has gone down in history as the last major battle fought on British soil: a vicious confrontation between the English Royal Army and the Scottish forces supporting the Stuart claim to the throne. But this wasn't just a conflict between the Scots and the English: The battle was also part of a much larger campaign to protect the British Isles from the growing threat of a French invasion.

In Trevor Royle's vivid and evocative narrative, we are drawn into the ranks, on both sides, alongside doomed Jacobites fighting fellow Scots dressed in the red coats of the Duke of Cumberland's Royal Army. And we meet the Duke himself, a skilled warrior who would gain notoriety because of the reprisals on Highland clans in the battle's aftermath. Royle also takes us beyond the battle as the men of the Royal Army, galvanized by its success at Culloden, expand dramatically and start to fight campaigns overseas in America and India in order to secure British interests. We see the revolutionary use of fighting techniques first implemented at Culloden, and we see the creation of professional fighting forces.

©2016 Trevor Royle (P)2017 Tantor

Critic reviews

"Brilliant and engaging, Royle places Culloden and its aftermath into its true military and social context. The narrative is alive with a passion for the subject." ( Library Journal)

More of a British military history

This book did start out with the lead up to collided and was interesting, but the battle was over after about 3.5 hours in. After that, it really was just a book about the evolution of the British military. It moved over to fighting in America, which was interesting, but again, was from the lens of what was happening and changing in the British military as a whole. I didn’t finish it and don’t really think it should be sold as a book specific to Culloden as the name suggests.

Should be Titled “Northumberland’s Men”

The events surrounding the actual battle of Colloden comprise only 25% of this book.

Rather, it goes into quite a bit of detail about the subsequent careers of the elite group of officers who cut their teeth at the famous battle and became protégés of the Hanoverian Commander, prince “Billy the Butcher”, the Duke of Northumberland (younger son of GEORGE II).

The author speaks to a target audience with at least basic military leadership experience, unpacking the talents (and personal spats/foibles) of big names like Clinton, Wolfe, Burgoyne, Howe. The Seven Years (French & Indian) War and the India campaigns of the late 18th century really should get equal billing with Colloden.

Excellent Historical Piece

Was an excellent and detailed history of the Jacobite Rebellion and the overall importance to history of the last battle fought on English soil!

interesting in depth book

Went far beyond the battle and delved deep into the life stories of many of those involved.

Focus of book is English generals, not Culloden

Very disappointed that almost the entire book is about the English generals and troops rather than the actual battle of Culloden. I waned to learn every detail of the battle but instead got a military record of each English officers career. The majority of the book covers their exploits outside of the battle - North America, Europe, etc. Three chapters relate to the title of the. Ok and the rest shoot off in an unexpected direction. Would not recommend it ... certainly if you're a Scotsman like me looking for an in-depth history of the battle that destroyed the highland culture.

The title should be changed

I am sure that this book will really annoy any Scots. The actual battle occupies and very small portion of this book. It really is just a Who's Who of British officers who were associated with this battle. Being an American, I did enjoy the accounts of North American military history. Come to think of it, there was much more information on events in North America in this book than there is on Culloden. It is a well-written and interesting book for those who like military histories, but you will have to go elsewhere to get a complete account of Culloden.

Not what it claims to be

Very little about Culloden, mostly a detail of English history with Culloden comprising a few chapters.